AfterBefore Bones and Books I’ve always thought of books as the foundation of everything—knowledge, escape, curiosity. So many have gone into solidifying who I am today. It wasn’t until reading Freya Sharp’s collection of poetry that I began to think of the books that have shaped my bones. piece by piecei crumble to the floor – Freya Sharp Books like A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle gave me a heroine that I could see myself in. Harry Potter let me bring the joy of reading to my children. The ending of The Divergent Series by Veronica Roth—well, I’m still upset about that. And Deborah Harkness brought the realization that there can be well-written fantasy for adults, not just the under twenty-somethings. In Between These Bones Freya Sharp offers a captivating collection of poetry that dives deep into the essence of self-discovery and personal transformation. The book’s concise, cutting-to-the-bone prose guides you through the thoughts of a young girl growing into a woman, battling to reclaim her power and identity. Sharp’s words takes you into her innermost struggles and offers a view into the journey of finding oneself. Between These Bones explores what shapes us, what we believe, and how we ultimately use that understanding to navigate our lives. you still linger in my mouth like the aftertaste of burnt toast – Freya Sharp From Madeleine L’Engle all the way through to Deborah Harkness, and countless other authors, each of these books left an imprint on me, shaping my identity and influencing my worldview. Freya Sharp’s Between These Bones made me stop and realize just how profoundly literature intertwines with our lives, once again, instilling in me a gratitude for all the authors who are brave enough to share their stories. Special thanks to NetGalley for supplying a review copy of this book.