From the Bookshelves: Sleeping with Ghosts (book review)

Greetings, creatives! And HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

So happy you're here, because today I'm reviewing Sleeping with Ghosts, the most recent book from author Jen Payne. And what better day to talk about ghosts than Halloween?

Jen stopped by the blog last week for an author interview, where she shared some wonderful insights about her creative process, especially her fascination with memory and the “ghosts” we all carry with us. If you haven’t checked it out, I definitely recommend giving our conversation a read—it adds a whole other layer to the experience of reading this collection.

"Sleeping with Ghosts takes us on a journey through past loves, family ties, and those little moments that somehow stay with us. "

Sleeping with Ghosts takes us on a journey through past loves, family ties, and those little moments that somehow stay with us. And what’s working really well in the collection is how the speaker doesn't shy away from vulnerability.

A good example of this is “Kintsugi,” the first poem, where the speaker invites us to trace the “golden trail” along the cracks of her experiences. It’s a beautiful metaphor for embracing scars as part of our stories. I found myself thinking about my own life’s “kintsugi,” and I think that’s part of what makes this collection special—it asks us to look at our own ghosts with a bit more compassion.

"It’s one of those poems that reaches out and reminds you to reconnect with the wonder you might’ve forgotten along the way."

The book is filled with moments that feel so real and relatable. For instance, in the last poem, “Did You Love?,” the speaker reflects on childhood innocence and curiosity, asking if that openness managed to survive life’s hardships. It’s one of those poems that reaches out and reminds you to reconnect with the wonder you might’ve forgotten along the way.

Each section of the book is like a different chapter of memory, with its own “ghost” or theme. And each poem contributes to the building undercurrent of emotion and understanding of the character and their life. For example, in “Alice Falling,” we get a sense of surrender and adventure, with the speaker plunging down the rabbit hole, open to the unknown.

And there’s “Within the Confines,” which had me nodding along—it’s about breaking out of those little boxes we sometimes find ourselves in and choosing to live with more passion. Jen’s invitation to “get up on that dance floor” and live fully is both inspiring and, honestly, contagious!

"These poems don’t just tell Jen’s story—they remind us to revisit our own past, to honor our own scars, and maybe to find a bit of poetry there, too."

What I love most about Sleeping with Ghosts is how it leaves room for each of us to find our own story within its pages. These poems don’t just tell Jen’s story—they remind us to revisit our own past, to honor our own scars, and maybe to find a bit of poetry there, too. Whether you’re someone who loves looking back with nostalgia or you’re more of a “move forward” type, there’s something here that speaks to the heart.

If you’re ready to take a thoughtful, heartfelt stroll through memory and meaning, Sleeping with Ghosts is absolutely worth your time. Jen’s gentle but honest voice will stay with you long after the last page is turned.

You can purchase a copy of Sleeping with Ghosts at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Bookshop.org, and Etsy. And be sure to add Sleeping with Ghosts to your GoodReads reading list!

Have a book you think I should read and review? Let me know! It might be the next title featured on my blog!

Happy reading and writing!