Review: Pillow Thoughts by Courtney Peppernell

By: burgundy bug

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“Pillow Thoughts” by Courtney Peppernell

Source: Pillow Thoughts by Courtney Peppernell | Penelope Peru Photography

“Pillow Thoughts” is a delicate, candid poetry book by Courtney Peppernell that’ll break your heart and empower you all at once.

A Bit of Context…

Peppernell is an Australian author who launched her writing career in 2015 with her debut novel, “Chasing Paper Cranes,” according to her website.

Since then, she’s written multiple best selling books including “Pillow Thoughts,” which has now spanned into a poetry series by Peppernell.

Pillow Thoughts Review

The book is a beautifully intimate arrangement of poems, thoughts, and feelings that reads much like the sort of “pillow talk” conversations between lovers or the loved lorn in the wee hours of the night.

“Pillow Thoughts” transitions through multiple collections throughout it’s chapters: “If you are dreaming of someone,” “If you are in love,” “If you are heartbroken,” “If you are lonely,” “If you are sad,” “If you are missing someone,” “If you need encouragement,” If you are soul-searching,” “If you need a reason to stay,” “These are here for you.”

The chapters are labeled as if the poems are organized for the reader to move throughout the book, navigating to the section they need in order to mend a broken heart or wipe away the tears.

However, I thought it read much like the eclipse of a steady relationship. Starting with the poem “Flowers on Your Doorstep,” the first chapter feels much like crushing on someone, the next chapter detailing the love that has blossomed from said crush, and the following chapter serving as the mourning of the relationship’s end.

After “If you are heartbroken,” the author continues working through the feelings that follow a breakup, bouncing back and refinding her strength in the last chapters.

I love the story “Pillow Thoughts” tells, the delicacy and genuine nature of Peppernell’s words. I adore the style and flow, the poetic prose.

I also appreciate that the author decided to end the book on a high note, rather than leaving the reader to wallow in heartbreak.

However, I will say some of the more encouraging and uplifting poems did come off as a little…. Well, cheesie – but, that’s just my own personal opinion, honestly. Structurally, there’s nothing wrong with them, they’re still great poems, I just found their sentiment to be a bit cliche – like those motivational Tumblr posts you’d see on “quality blogs” in 2011 through 2015.

Considering that this book was published in 2016 and that positive poems do tend to be mushy-gushy as a whole, I take this bit with a grain of salt.

Overall, “Pillow Thoughts” gets a 3.9 out of 5 from me.

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