‘Killing Ghosts’- You don’t have to be haunted forever.

Reading the Foreward to Allie Gravitt’s Killing Ghosts was all it took to know I needed to own this book:

There comes a time when you have to kill your ghosts, but in order to do that you have to face them. You have to look at the ugly parts of yourself and your world. Grieve the ones that need to fall away, or celebrate their departure. Welcome the truth and the clarity. You don’t have to be haunted forever. 

To be honest, I struggled writing this review. At first, I thought I was tired or run down. But the more I tried to put into words how much I loved this book, the more I realized that I don’t just love this book–I am this book. 

Every word Allie writes is raw, radiant, and relatable. Her poems bring me back to monumental moments in my life that I had buried deep. Moments that I was ashamed to have experienced. From crippling anxiety to the struggle of finding yourself again as a mother, Allie hits all the dark and breathtaking milestones of womanhood. When you’re in these trenches, it’s easy to feel alone and on your own. But Allie’s poetry reminds you (without a doubt) that you’re not. 

A look inside her diary. 

Being a mother and a woman in the modern world is not simple. Women are held to unparallel standards of success that we cannot possibly reach, while also expected to love every single moment of it. Through words of art, Allie paints a picture of what being a woman truly feels like in 2021. And though honestly portraying the hardships, Allie’s poetry shares an uplifting message encouraging her readers to fight on.

Some of what I love most about this poetry collection is its flow and authenticity. As you turn through each heartfelt page, it feels like reading the diary of a mother in real-time. Throughout the collection, we follow Allie’s journey from the shadows, watching her confront each ghost with the intent of defeat. Her charming drawings only add to the diary appeal. You can almost picture her thoughtfully creating these images while simultaneously crafting each verse in her mind. 

The perfect gift for all the women in your life.

Women in all phases of life will find a verse in Killing Ghosts that strikes a chord. Whether you have a family, are planning for a family, have a career, lost a career, or are simply wondering what your next step is going to be in life…it doesn’t matter. Since the pandemic hit, we have all been forced to face our ghosts head-on. This collection is a perfect mix of acknowledging struggles and delving into pain, while still finding the hope we all need to rise back up. I will be gifting this book to all of the women in my life this holiday season!

About the Writer: Shell Sherwood is a poet, fiction writer, freelancer, and creator of silly children’s stories, who could live on coffee, pastries, and romantic tragedies. She lives in Hudson Valley, NY with her fiancé and three boys, and aspires to own a small writing getaway in every climate. Shell is currently working on her debut poetry collection. Learn more about Shell and follow her writing journey via her author blog, Instagram, and TikTok.