In a society plagued by materialism and media distractions, this writer dares to recalibrate our heads and hearts back to the human condition.

Love this book, Joseph Pinto is an amazing writer that has a unique approach to how he writes that really connects to the reader.

Robert Bradley, Jr., LCSW, LSATP

Family Therapist and published author

I'm incredibly happy to have found this artist on Instagram. His work is raw and touches your every fiber. The words are relatable to YOU. I have not found one poem yet, I didn't feel I had lived at one point of time in my life. Looking forward to picking up his other books. You won't regret this one.

I read this on my Kindle. This is an unsolicited review.

This review isn’t easy for me to write. I’ve been reading Mr. Pinto for several years now and typically I appreciate his dark poetry. This particular collection was hard for me personally to read. While the poetry itself is well written, it’s the subject matter which I struggled with. The title is perfect for this one: 99% of the poems contained direct references to drinking alcohol. As someone who doesn’t drink, it was hard for me to relate. While I can intellectually understand the darkness, despair, and depression that are directly linked to alcoholism, I emotionally don’t connect with it and that’s where my issues came in.

I did stick it out and read the entire book in one sitting, but it wasn’t easy for me. I could see where the author came up with his idea, as he is after all the “bar fly poet“ on social media, but for me, I felt his previous collections were better rounded out and kept the reader up and down, with breathers and some humor inside the darkness. This one doesn’t do that. It was deeply depressing and hard, I mean hard, for me to not get sucked in and felt myself pulled into the edges of depression, something that I am all too familiar with (and that is without the aid of the depressant of alcohol to fuel it).

This one gets 3/5 stars from me. Loss of stars comes from a one-note subject matter and a personally unsatisfying one for me (the reader). I know that Mr. Pinto does better. I read (and have read) most of all his published work. This one, for me, isn’t up to his normal quality. I do like the cover and I will continue to read his work, but this one I won’t be recommending. I’d say, pick up his other books and probably future books, but this just isn’t one I can say I would even know the type of person who would want to read it.

Joseph Pinto is incredible. His poems are short and to the point and are drenched in absolute darkness! They cut right through you. This isn't you sisters poetry.

This book is the happy hour you meant to leave hours ago, and now suddenly it’s last call.

I knew I would love this book because I too, used to write a lot of my poetry alone at a bar. Pinto has pulled me off my couch, dressed me up, handed me a tattered notebook and taken me back in time. And suddenly I’m there again—at the far end of the bar watching the in’s and out’s of bar strangers—yes, they’re all here—the suit drowning out a failed interview, the drunk who likes the sound of his own voice and won’t shut up, the man in the Chevy hat, the bartender I had a crush on, the acoustic singer. And I’m eavesdropping on other patrons’ conversations and writing about it because this too, numbs out my own internal monologue. Except it’s not me and my monologue, it’s Joseph Pinto and his, and I’m still here on my couch and I’m on the last page of Scotch and Scars when I really only meant to read a section, and I swear, NEVER has a book caused me to time travel so hard. In this book I saw the reflection of every feeling I tried to drown, every person I exchanged fleeting glances with and every poor lipstick-stained decision I ever made. Wow, Joe. What a parallel. Thank you.

Just as wonderful as his debut book of poetry! No sophomore slump here, this is another wonderful collection of poetry from a man who truly feels. You can imagine yourself sitting in the bar watching these thoughts and scenes unfold before your very eyes. A must for any fan of poetry!

I love this book by Joseph Pinto. I’ve read it multiple times. He does a great job crafting poems out of relatable encounters and reflection that happen while at the bar!

Joseph Pinto is a true Poet and wordsmith. Since finding him on social media, ive been following him. His words hit hard and true. So if you want a slice of life with deep meaning, then give him a go. Once you read him, you will want more.