Book Club Session 4 - The Witch Doesn't Burn in This One

Welcome to Session 4 of Book Club - a monthly review of books I've been loving and think you will too. So pull up a chair, grab a cup of tea and a biscuit and get ready! It's spooky season here in Hattie's World, and so there was no choice other than Amanda Lovelace's poetry collection: The Witch Doesn't Burn in This One. A beautifully honest, empowering and spiritual collection, Lovelace's work speaks to the modern woman who knows her worth but sometimes struggles to locate it. Perfectly witchy and feminine, it's the Hattie's World Book Club pick of October.

to

everyone

who said

my

great-grandmother

had a

wee bit of witch

in her:

she's

got nothing

on me.

- & i've only just begun.

Do you ever feel that, although you know you're a confident, capable and beautiful person, you sometimes struggle to tap into your femininity, sexuality and spirituality? Fear no more, for the words of Amanda Lovelace will guide you back to your power.

To the powerful, spiritual feminist - this one's for you. Lovelace not only writes comedic lines for the modern witch, but actually targets some serious issues in the existence of women today. Poems such as They Only Wish This Is How It Happened discuss the gaslighting and male violence towards women. She writes:

"you have no reason to be afraid," the match-boys tell us right before they throw fistfuls & fistfuls of matches. "Don't be so fucking dramatic".

Lovelace is commenting on the way men both physically and psychologically manipulate, gaslight and oppress women, as well as the reaction of society as a whole when this is spoken about.

However, poems such as The Friendzone Doesn't Exist reminds us of the power of being decisive, assertive and confident. Lines such as 'I am not your kindness participation trophy or anything for you to proudly own' helps us to keep ownership of ourselves, our minds and bodies. As well as the final stanza of the poem which reads:

'sometimes friendship is the motherfucking prize, so be grateful i let you in at all'

So, my fellow women and witches. Let this collection be a lesson to you to retain your feminine power. And Happy Halloween!!