Literary Gladiators' Josh Caporale gives Sleepwalkers a perfect 5 star book review

I first came across Nicole Lanier Montez at the Collingswood Book Festival. I was at a table with the Garden State Speculative Fiction Writers, who were selling copies of the GSSW anthologies, including Speculations From New Jersey. While I was there, I bought some books, for I like to support my fellow lesser known writers. I started reading this collection, because "Xtra Naked," a short, but meaningful poem about detecting the real difference between races, caught my attention straight away. We decided to read it and discuss it for Literary Gladiators and all of us got a lot out of this poem (our discussion will be up in a few months). Then I went about reading the entire collection and I am so glad I did so. It was amazing! Montez, who is of African and Mexican descent, writes about anything and everything that has to do with societal injustice. She writes about racism, violence, poverty, prostitution, dysfunctional upbringings, domestic abuse, and will take different roles in each, whether it be a child, a young woman, a mother, or a general citizen. Her poem, "Choices," is quite eerie when one looks at the shootings related to race and how these occurrences have exploded since the events involving Trayvon Martin in 2013 and this collection was put together a year earlier, but it goes to show you how this issue remains ongoing. "Direction" is another powerful poem that talks about the unfortunate event where the child has to grow up quickly, because their father possesses an inability to do so. The same thing happens in "What About Me," only concentrating on a mother who continues to go out, have fun, and (in the only detail addressed directly) have children. Montez writes both poetry and short short stories (which I would deem microfiction, since what she writes is never more than two pages). Most of her poetry is written in all lowercase letters, very reminiscent to the poetry of E.E. Cummings, in a style that is probably reflective in technique. Like Cummings, I feel that Montez is writing through thought. The lowercase letters depict that she is deep in thought as she is writing these powerful pieces, many of which are relatable concerns of injustice one is bound to possess. Her short stories also spark thoughts, but they more so concentrate on those particular details, like in "Nightwalker," which is the day in the life of a prostitute. I read Sleepwalkers in one day, a lot of help coming from a visit I paid to the mechanic and I was waiting for my car to get fixed. At the same time, this was so accessible, but so enlightening, which is what I look for in a great collection of poetry! This collection is brilliant and I feel that more people need to get their hands on it. I feel that everyone: black, white, male, female, rich, poor, and in any given living condition, whether they endured the events described in these works or not, will feel a greater understanding, whether they identify or if they sympathize. I feel that developing empathy is an important trait that is strengthened through reading and this is the perfect selection for doing such! I was flirting between 4 1/2 and 5 stars for this collection, but I went ahead with 5 stars, because I feel that people are going to approach it differently and the selections I felt were my favorites are bound to be different for other readers. I would say 75% of what was in this collection was thought-provoking, enlightening, amazing, or all three, and I am sure that the other 25% will catch others attention in some way, shape, or form. I really hope that more people recognize Nicole Lanier Montez for the talent and wit she possesses when it comes to her writing.