Whiskey Words & A Shovel III by R.H. Sin | Rating: ★★★★☆

A copy of this novel was provided through NetGalley by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not effect my opinions in any way.

After picking up Whiskey Words & a Shovel III, I am feeling a bit overwhelmed by the way so many readers are expressing their dislike of modern poetry. I have to start my review by saying that I can't really understand people who can't grasp the fact that poetry comes in different formats and has always, at the end of the day, been about the author expressing themselves. What strikes me about modern poetry most is not its length nor its format, it's about how we all have gone about ourselves and what words mean to us. R.H. Sin captures the audience perfectly as we tangle our words with what is printed.

Like so many modern day writers, this is poetry that proves not everything comes in a big package. Collections come and go through the decades but as of recently, so much has been released and explored in the best possible ways. Sin's work is amongst the greats of today and I cannot stress that enough. Above and beyond all of if, this is the sort of poetry that feels like home to our thoughts. One of the greatest things an author can do is relate to their audience and my generation--I am proud to say--is doing so damn well with it.


This installment is the longest of the ones before it and that should tell you one thing. R.H. is still on a roll with excellent prose and is more than up to task of reminding us all the complexities of life, pain, love, passion and more. I do feel like this is a good conclusion to this particular round of things and can't imagine a better way to explore life and its beat. Plus, how gorgeous is that cover? It's so simple. What I couldn't help but to think when I read it was that the heart on the cover matched my own heart's thudding perfectly.

Throughout the entire reading of this, my heart was beating in my chest. In contentment. In a way that made me go, "huh. I relate." or whatever else I can say. That sounds so silly but there was this intimate connection in it that just reaches out and holds you. I'm very cheesy by nature but it turns out I'm even more gooey and dweeb-like when it comes to captivating words.

Here's one thing that is important to note: if you aren't a fan of modern poetry, you're not going to like it. There's no use in dragging your feet and complaining about it. It is what it is, and if you can't begin to express your opinions nicely? I don't actually know what to say beyond you but to get a grip. I do think that this collection is best read if you are a young adult--teenagers and twenty year old's. I'm not saying this age range is a suggestion or a law. I just find that the younger they are, the easier they can connect with this without acting pretentious and high-and-mighty about it.

Pro-tip: you are not better just because you think modern poetry isn't real poetry. Everyone knows that poetry comes at us from all stages off life and if the author expresses their emotions in simple lines or complex ones it really doesn't matter so long as their words move us.

But, younger readers will have a better time resonating with it as long as they are open minded.

That being said, I really enjoyed the prose and set up. I do love a good poetry book and this is one of the more solid releases of the last few years. I would have given it a 5 star if not for a few ticks that just weren't my personal preference (but still not enough for me to dislike the entire series) and I did love it. This was the perfect coffee-shop read for my spring and I appreciate it so much.