Review of Hold Your Breath

Hazel Mae Bagarinao · Post by **Hazel Mae Bagarinao** » 08 May 2023, 01:21

[Following is a volunteer review of "Hold Your Breath" by Rana Bitar.]

5 out of 5 stars

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Hold Your Breath is a book written by a deep thinker, Rana Bitar. This anthology book was penned during the ravaging time of the pandemic. The author poured out her thoughts and emotions in this short but mind-loaded book. This book is short, with 24 pages and 16 heartfelt poems.

The author is one of those medical practitioners who faced the dangers of the horrible pandemic. She is one of those people who bravely served during the surreal. The first poem was written on March 16, 2020, when our world faced strong restrictions and lockdowns. This poem welcomes me to the author's personality as a city girl, but her heart longs for quietness. She tells about her husband and two kids, who have opposite interests from her.

There is also a poem where the author talks about the incommodity of wearing a mask, as it was tricky not to see the emotions of the wearer. As the author said, "The truth is more naked behind the mask." I can't agree more, since the emotions of a person are seen in their overall face.

There are also poems about quarantine, the author's frustration with her work, the sufferings of her cancer patients, and the anger of Mr. Covid. One that touched me was her family dinner with social distancing. She said, "They eat pasta, but I swallowed fear."

Moreover, I love the author's profound questions. I can connect with her heart and soul. I love how she appreciates the simple things around her: the sun's brightness and warmth, a nice spring day, the ocean's wind, singing birds, etc. I love the tone of her writing; it comes from the heart. I was attached to it. The last poem was written on May 23, 2020, where the author expressed her weakness about the strange world she lives in.

I enjoyed this book so much that I can't find any fault. Thus, I am joyfully rating Hold Your Breath 5 out of 5 stars. The book was flawlessly edited and exceptionally written. I can't find any reason to lower the score because the author sounds so sincere that my heart connects with hers.

This readable book is highly recommended to people who are looking for a collection of poems written during the pandemic. This book is also perfect for readers who love real and deeply written works. Since I love the author's personality and her book, I can't wait to read her memoir, The Long Tale of Tears and Smiles.

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Hold Your Breath
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Eckhart Aurelius Hughes · Post by **Nisha DSouza** » 11 May 2023, 00:35

This sounds like an amazing book with the author sharing her raw emotions and frustrations during the pandemic. I don't really enjoy poems that much. So I'll skip this one.

Thank you for an awesome review, Hazel.

Kavita Shah · Post by **Kavita Shah** » 11 May 2023, 01:48

Hannie, it's great that you liked the book. The Mr. Covid still gets me thinking that he won't listen. We can celebrate everyday free from isolation and panic. It makes me grateful for not having to keep distance with families and friends.

Hazel Mae Bagarinao · Post by **Hazel Mae Bagarinao** » 11 May 2023, 03:16

Nisha DSouza wrote: ↑11 May 2023, 00:35 This sounds like an amazing book with the author sharing her raw emotions and frustrations during the pandemic. I don't enjoy poems that much. So I'll skip this one.

Thank you for an awesome review, Hazel.

Thank you so much, Nisha. Before I thought I won't enjoy any poem but I sampled this book and I decided to pick it up because I can connect the author's sincere writing style which is also very understandable. It was her diary during the pandemic.

Hazel Mae Bagarinao · Post by **Hazel Mae Bagarinao** » 11 May 2023, 03:22

Kavita Shah wrote: ↑11 May 2023, 01:48 Hannie, it's great that you liked the book. Mr. Covid still gets me thinking that he won't listen. We can celebrate every day free from isolation and panic. It makes me grateful for not having to keep my distance from family and friends.

For us laypersons, there were changes but not so big and dangerous, unlike doctors like Rana. It was a big change and it was a tough situation she was into. We're glad, we are back to normal now. Free and unmask. Thank God!

Thanks, Kavita for always following my review and leaving beautiful comments!

Kavita Shah · Post by **Kavita Shah** » 11 May 2023, 03:34

Hazel Mae Bagarinao wrote: ↑11 May 2023, 03:22
Kavita Shah wrote: ↑11 May 2023, 01:48 Hannie, it's great that you liked the book. Mr. Covid still gets me thinking that he won't listen. We can celebrate every day free from isolation and panic. It makes me grateful for not having to keep my distance from family and friends.
For us laypersons, there were changes but not so big and dangerous, unlike doctors like Rana. It was a big change and it was a tough situation she was into. We're glad, we are back to normal now. Free and unmask. Thank God!

Thanks, Kavita for always following my review and leaving beautiful comments!

Yes, Doctors had to face more than any other individual. Thank you to all the Docs.

Thank you for writing amazing reviews, Hannie!

Hazel Mae Bagarinao · Post by **Hazel Mae Bagarinao** » 11 May 2023, 06:31

Kavita Shah wrote: ↑11 May 2023, 03:34

Yes, Doctors had to face more than any other individual. Thank you to all the Docs.
Thank you for writing amazing reviews, Hannie!

Aww, that's so sweet of you, Kavita. Thank you again!

Bianca Morano · Post by **Bianca Morano** » 11 May 2023, 07:03

I'm glad the author found catharsis through writing poems during the most challenging times of the pandemic. It is indeed a heavy duty since her job as a medical practitioner, they are practically putting themselves more at risk than the average person. That's why they are considered modern-day heroes, as what they called it on the news.

Hazel Mae Bagarinao · Post by **Hazel Mae Bagarinao** » 11 May 2023, 07:27

Bianca Morano wrote: ↑11 May 2023, 07:03 I'm glad the author found catharsis through writing poems during the most challenging times of the pandemic. It is indeed a heavy duty since her job as a medical practitioner, they are practically putting themselves more at risk than the average person. That's why they are considered modern-day heroes, as they called it on the news.

Absolutely! Thanks to all the medical practitioners who risk their lives during the pandemic. And thanks, Bianca, for visiting and commenting!

Shem Murundu · Post by **Shem Murundu** » 11 May 2023, 09:47

That Covid period was a nightmare, the lockdowns, quarantines, and all. It dragged on so long that it'd become the new norm and we thought the world had finally come to an end (lol). We were overjoyed when normalcy returned and we discarded the masks and sanitizers. I'm glad someone chose writing as a way to vent and kill the loneliness and boredom that came with the lengthy isolation. The book seems like a great read and its length is even better. Thanks for the short and clear review.

Chris Agbara · Post by **Chris Agbara** » 11 May 2023, 12:51

Hold Your Breath by Rana Bitar is an anthology that beautifully captures the emotions of the pandemic. The author's heartfelt poems resonate deeply, and her sincere voice shines through every page. Can't wait to explore more of the author's works!

Hazel Mae Bagarinao · Post by **Hazel Mae Bagarinao** » 11 May 2023, 22:31

Blackstenius wrote: ↑11 May 2023, 09:47 That Covid period was a nightmare, the lockdowns, quarantines, and all. It dragged on so long that it'd become the new norm and we thought the world had finally come to an end (lol). We were overjoyed when normalcy returned and we discarded the masks and sanitizers. I'm glad someone chose writing as a way to vent and kill the loneliness and boredom that came with the lengthy isolation. The book seems like a great read and its length is even better. Thanks for the short and clear review.

It was a terrifying time. Gladly, it was not the end of the world.

Thanks so much, Blackstenius, for your long and thoughtful review!

Hazel Mae Bagarinao · Post by **Hazel Mae Bagarinao** » 11 May 2023, 22:31

Chris Agbara wrote: ↑11 May 2023, 12:51 Hold Your Breath by Rana Bitar is an anthology that beautifully captures the emotions of the pandemic. The author's heartfelt poems resonate deeply, and her sincere voice shines through every page. Can't wait to explore more of the author's works!

Thanks so much, Chris for leaving a wonderful comment!

Post by **Sarah Zain** » 12 May 2023, 12:35

Your enthusiasm for the book is visible in your review, and it seems that the poems are well written and carry a lot of feelings. I may not read the book now because I do not want to deal with the feelings of this period of time, but I really enjoyed reading your beautiful review Hazel.

Hazel Mae Bagarinao · Post by **Hazel Mae Bagarinao** » 13 May 2023, 15:49

Sarah Zain wrote: ↑12 May 2023, 12:35 Your enthusiasm for the book is visible in your review, and it seems that the poems are well-written and carry a lot of feelings. I may not read the book now because I do not want to deal with the feelings of this period, but I enjoyed reading your beautiful review, Hazel.

Aww, thank you so much, Sarah. I understand, so you can skip it if that's preferable.