The Beautiful Chaos of Growing Up
Reggie Reviews The Beautiful Chaos of Growing Up by Ari Satok
Synopsis: A mix of inspired and original poems, Ari Satok’s book takes you through the trials, tribulations and triumphs of young adulthood. From college experiences to job hunt miseries, Satok navigates the uncertain waters of young adulthood through his poetry.
The Review
Negatives
- When I first got the book, I was expecting Dr.Seuss-like illustrations on every page since the excerpts on Satok’s Instagram include them. However, the book does not include them which slightly changed the tone of the poems for me. The cute illustrations may distract readers from the text though, so I understand if that was the reason to forgo them.
Me realizing there are no pictures but still excited to read the book
Positives
- Young adults will definitely find this book relatable! I especially enjoyed the college poems, particularly the one about stalking your roommates online before meeting them.
- The length of the poems made the book easily digestible, which was helpful when I wanted to read something substantial but not too long in between zoom meetings.
- The poems themselves are expertly crafted mixtures of poignancy and humor. I would laugh during the first stanza and be transported back to earlier memories when reading the following one. I also appreciated the poems inspired by Frost and Kipling, because it showed Satok’s dedication and love for poetry in my opinion.
Me while reading this book
The Verdict
Reggie Says:
This book would make a wonderful gift to a recent college grad, but I recommend buying it for yourself too. If you’ve passed this stage in life, Satok’s poems take you on a beautiful trip down memory lane, and if you haven’t yet, they urge you to look forward to the future.
