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Showing posts with label Poetry. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Poetry. Show all posts

Saturday, October 2, 2021

Poetry Book Review: Palm Lines by Jonathan Koven

I found this work of verse full of beautiful imagery and evoking of emotions.
Palm Lines
by Jonathan Koven

56354292. sy475

ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1734499281
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 53 pages
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Toho Publishing (December 18, 2020)
Genre: Emotion, Nature, Poetry
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0.


These heartfelt poems speak to a transformative journey "to rediscover love as both a question and an answer." Seeking hope, honoring family, finding love, accepting time's passage, and understanding gratitude are all major themes explored in this dreamlike collection.


Review:

This is a thought provoking collection of verse, full of life and relationship topics. The poems are set out in three sections: Life line, Heart line and Head line.

I found the imagery descriptive, rich, and beautiful. Several pieces clearly evoke emotions such as sorrow, loneliness, hope and an awe of love. I liked the themes of family, friendship, and love that were shared in the free verse. The blurb description of “dreamlike” is fitting.

Let me preface the rest of my comments with the fact that I am more a fan of traditional poetry, and even freestyle, than of free verse. Some of the pieces made me stretch my mind as I might recognize imagery and sense the emotions, but I didn’t fully get the message right away. It might be best to read the full 50+/- pages as some of the poems in the second and third sections helped my understanding of the first section.

Also, keep in mind that I was reading for the purpose of reviewing rather than personal enjoyment/engagement. I was engaged, but it might take a slower, second reading, focusing in on each piece, to reach the full level of enjoyment that I do think these verses could supply. I recommend this to fans of free verse poetry and as a short collection to stretch those readers, like me, who favor more traditional poetry.

I say “thank you” to the author for providing this work for my review.

Source: 7/14/2021 Author request to read and review this collection. This qualifies for my 2021 Author Review goal.

Tuesday, November 5, 2019

Audible Book Review: October Mourning: a Song for Matthew Shepard, by Lesléa Newman

This is a beautiful and evocative work.
OCTOBER MOURNING:
A SONG FOR MATTHEW SHEPARD
by Lesléa Newman, Narrated by Emily Beresford, Luke Daniels, Tom Parks, Nick Podehl, Kate Rudd, Christina Traister (Brilliance Audio)
OCTOBER MOURNING
• 1.25 hrs. • Unabridged • © 2012
Genre: LGBT issues, Poetry; Teen & YA
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5.


On October 6, 1998, Matthew Shepard, a gay 21-year-old student at the University of Wyoming, was viciously beaten, tied to a fence, and left to die. Author Newman’s intimate reaction to this tragedy, a heartrending collection of 68 poems, is narrated by an outstanding cast. The narrators expertly carry the weight of the poems, excelling on verses that combine more than one voice. The poems present unique perspectives, including those of the fence, the moon, the road, even Matthew’s cat. Beautifully articulated, the quiet spaces in each poem add to the emotion, evoking a vast starry sky of memory and loss not soon to be forgotten. Intense, moving, and haunting—a must-listen for ages 14+. E.A.B. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award, 2013 Audies Finalist, SYNC 2014 © AudioFile 2012, Portland, Maine [Published: OCTOBER 2012]


Review:
I am sorry I had not listened to this sooner. The author, Lesléa Newman, is a feminist and activist for gay rights. She was in Wyoming to speak on campus the night that Matthew Shepard was brutally beaten and left to die. Although she was a stranger to the campus and to Shepard, her compassionate heart shared the trauma and loss that impacted the community. After reflection, she voiced her feelings in this collection of poems. The poems range in perspectives from the victim to the assailants, the fence, the rope, the moon, and the sky. The poems evoke sorrow, anger, and disbelief. The works are beautiful and evocative, and I was greatly impressed, especially when you add the narration.

Audio Notes: These six narrators, Emily Beresford, Luke Daniels, Tom Parks, Nick Podehl, Kate Rudd, Christina Traister, did an awesome job with the poems. They read the poems separately and occasionally jointly or in sequence. The presentation adds to the haunting and sometimes breathtaking prose. I highly recommend this audio work.

Source: 2014 SYNC Free Audio. This qualifies for 2019TBR and 2019Audiobook goals.

Thursday, July 20, 2017

Tour Book Review: Poetry and Ponderings by Diamante Lavendar

This is a lovely, uplifting collection of poems and encouraging affirmations.
Poetry and Ponderings: A Journey of Abuse and Healing Through Poetry
by Diamante Lavendar
File Size: 4355 KB
Print Length: 138 pages
Publisher: Written Dreams Publishing; 1 edition (April 26, 2017)
ASIN: B071NHM79W
Genre: Poetry, Inspirational
My Rating: 5.0 of 5.0


From Award-winning author of Breaking the Silence, Poetry and Ponderings by Diamante Lavendar
A Journey of Abuse and Healing Through Poetry

A raw collection of religious poetry and prose based on one Christian woman’s experiences of being abused, and how she healed herself with God’s love in order to move past the assaults.
In this rare collection of nonfiction Christian poetry and prose based on real life experiences, Diamante Lavendar, a victim of abuse, shows the reader the raw emotions of pain, hate, and denial that occur before a victim of abuse can find a way to heal from the pains of assault. Knowing herself the very difficult journey of being a victim, Diamante was abused as a child, and turned to alcohol and drugs to numb the pain. Many years later, she started to heal under God’s watchful eyes and was able to find love in her life again. She shares these truly inspiring, religious poems in the hopes that it may help other victims heal their hurts, as she did while writing the poetry collection.


Review:
When this book was offered for review I sensed it would be one I would like. As I started to read it this was confirmed. Some of the poems reflect a foundation of faith, trust, healing and hope in God. Others reflect emotional memories and positive views to face the future.

I have not suffered through abuse and I certainly cannot imagine what Ms. Lavendar’s childhood of abuse was like and the pain she came through. She does not make it graphic but she does share enough to give the reader a feeling of sorrow for the sadness of a child denied love and protection. Somewhere along her journey she found faith, healing and the beauty of love. She shares this beauty and wonderful positive encouragements in this book.

Not all the affirmations are ‘new’ thoughts but they are beautifully worded and reminded me of encouragement cards I used to buy for friends in my youth. I could share many of the affirmations but one I particularly like is on page 117: “Hardships are often gifts in roughly presented packages.”

One of my favorite of the poems was the second poem, on page 2, Take Time to Know Me. This is a poem where God encourages His child to stop and look around at creation and see Him there and know His love. Another is Laughter, on page 110, which encourages finding laughter on a hard, trying day as it will help you triumph over the trial.

I soon thought of several friends to whom I would like to gift this book as I know they would appreciate the positive beauty and affirmations of life and love. I highly recommend this to anyone who needs a lifting word and to those who just want to experience the beauty of recognizing joy in the journey, no matter how difficult.

I am thankful to the author and tour to have received this print book for tour review through Poetic Book Tours.

Advance Praise:
Poetry and Ponderings is the most loving and beautiful dedication to Diamante Lavendar's daughter. Anybody who has gone through a grieving time needs to read this classic expression of love and devotion. I tip my hat to the author for this marvelous collection of wisdom, insight and truth. -Mel Novak, Actor, Best known for his role in Bruce Lee's Game Of Death.

Tragedy turned triumph. Poetry and Ponderings beautifully leads the reader from gut wrenching pain to glorious freedom and healing. A must read for survivors and those who love them. -Sarah Boes, Founder of More Precious Than Rubies, reaching victims of commercial sexual exploitation.

Diamante's Poetry and Ponderings are an affirmation, and flow to the close of her book with the summation of her awakening. She has, in each poem, walked us through to her understanding and acceptance; we are the creation of God's breath, as souls to live life to the fullest, and with forgiveness...'Writing is her way of leaving her mark: one poem, one story at a time.' This book achieves this endeavor. -Sam Eastwood, International Poet

About the Poet:

Diamante Lavendar has been in love with reading since she was a child. Diamante believes that everyone should try to leave their own positive mark on the world, and to make it a better place for all. Writing is her way of leaving her mark—one story at a time. She began writing in college and has published poetry in anthologies over the years. Most of her writing is very personal and stems from her own experiences, and those of her family and friends. She writes to encourage hope and possibility to those who read her stories. To learn more about Diamante Lavendar and her books, please visit her website at: www.diamantelavendar.com.

Tuesday, April 11, 2017

Book Review: Ivy in Bloom: The Poetry of Spring... by Vanita Oelschlager

This is a lovely way to share classic poetry with children.
Ivy in Bloom:
The Poetry of Spring from Great Poets and Writers from the Past
by Vanita Oelschlager (Author),
Kristin Blackwood (Illustrator)

Age Range: 5 - 8 years
Grade Level: Kindergarten - 3
Hardcover: 40 pages
Publisher: Vanita Books (April 1, 2009)
ISBN-13: 978-0980016277
Genre: Children, Poetry
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0


Ivy In Bloom captures the weariness of a young girl tired of a long winter. ""I stare out the window,"" she says on the first spread of brown and gray, ""looking for birds or flowers / or even warm showers / but I don't see any such thing."" But then Spring comes when ""March is out of breath snow melting to flowery waters and watery flowers spring rose from its wintry rest."" And Ivy's ""heart dances with daffodils."" As these words also dance across each spread, Ivy's world erupts into a riot of color. Ivy In Bloom introduces the poetry of Dickinson, Longfellow, Browning, Wordsworth, Frost and others. Excerpts from their writings, as seen through Ivy's eyes, will open up poetry as a way for children to express their own feelings about the changing of seasons. This book includes longer excerpts and brief bios of each author.


Review:
This lovely story opens with Ivy inside a somber room, frustrated by the gray smudge of winter. She is looking forward to the colors of spring! She goes out on a cold, cloudy March day and sees the signs of winter still around her. She is even anxious for puddles and finally April comes and “Spring arose from its wintry rest.” Ivy's world comes alive with color.

Somehow I thought there would be poems shared with whimsy illustrations. Rather than full poems, and more appropriately for children, there are one or two lines or phrases enhanced with delightful illustrations. The lines are familiar and some I knew the poet. (Several of the poets are mentioned in the blurb.) Thankfully, at the back of the book the poems and poets are shared with the line from Ivy’s world highlighted. This makes the book a fun way to share classic poetry with younger children.

The fully illustrated pages are wonderful – not overly complex but full of energy and fitting to the text. Most of the poetry lines blend smoothly although one or two seemed a bit forced. Still, it is a delightful experience and learning tool. I look forward to sharing this with my granddaughters. I recommend this to others who would like to share the joy of poetry with children.

I think late winter and early spring is a good time to read this.
I received this from NetGalley. This qualifies for my NetGalley and Mount TBR Challenges as well as "I" for Alphabet Challenge.

Tuesday, October 11, 2016

Book Review: Ergon by George HS Singer

This is a thought provoking collection of life reflections.
Ergon
by George HS Singer
Paperback: 86 pages
Publisher: WordTech Communications LLC (June 18, 2016)
ISBN-13: 978-1625491923
Genre: Poetry
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0


George Singer's ERGON is precise, delicate and fierce in its engagement with the world.
George HS Singer, a former Buddhist monk, has written a debut collection of poems about his life as a monk and in the monastery and about his life when he left to marry and have a family. As he tries to balance his spiritual principles with every day life as a husband and father, these poems utilize nature as a backdrop for his quest.



Review:
Mr. Singer shares a wide range of life feelings in his varied topics: nature (birds, deer, tides, the beach and stars), childhood and coming of age, childbirth, family madness (mental illness), loving, aging and growing old together.

I have to admit that I received this book with certain expectations. Mr. Singer was a former Zen Monk and I was curious to see how that would be reflected in his writing. In my naiveté (rather than claiming my stupidity) I had focused on the term “monk” and not the descriptive “zen”. (A Zen Monk is a Buddist Monk so it was not what I expected.) After I started reading the poems I realized my error and had to eliminate my expectations so I could read the work with a different-- more open-- mind-set.

Some – well I guess all-- of the poems that I note as ‘nature’ have a life meaning beyond the obvious descriptions. They paint a picture, an image, and then made me stop to think about the feelings that were invoked. That, to me, is an enjoyable part of reading poetry. I enjoyed the cadence of the poems which has a gentle – dare I say, ‘zen-like’—meditative tone.

The selections are presented under four headings: Visiting, Ergon, Our Quotidian, and Immensity Although I enjoyed all of the work I think my favorites were in the third grouping. I had to look it up. Quotidian means “ordinary or everyday, especially when mundane.” This group of sharing addresses the memory of skin on skin that eventually turns to pains and groans of age, yet show a warmth of growing old with one who is loved. Perhaps I relate well to those thoughts.
The beginning of “Our Quotidian”:
I love you differently
now than when you were hot
and I sizzled---
The author explains that Ergon means "the core purpose of something or someone...". His collections seems to say that although it may be different for each person, there are many things in life and emotion that we share. Many of the poems reflect (in a gentle, sometimes haunting way) on wars, illness and pain, as well as love. The poems reveal events that are sometimes common and sometimes foreign to a reader but still have elements that connect us. There are surprising glimpses of reactions to tragedy in everyday events as in "After the Retreat" which tells of a doe hit by a car. Another poem that particularly caught my heart is "It Seemed He Swam" which shares about teaching a mute, palsied child and how the young boy learned to communicate his needs. This was very touching.

The poems are short and easily read in “bite-size” portions that are good for the mind to chew on. I recommend this to readers who might be seeking a book to encourage meditations on life shared in a lovely, caring voice.

I received this title from the author through Poetic Book Tours.

About the Author:
George HS Singer, a former Zen Buddhist monk and student of Rev. Master Jiyu Kennett, lives with his wife of forty-two years in Santa Barbara, Calif., where he works as a professor at University of California, Santa Barbara. He was educated at Yale, Southern Oregon University, and the University of Oregon. He wrote poetry in college but took a twenty-year break before taking it up as a regular discipline. He has been a long term student of Molly Peacock and has had the opportunity to work with other marvelous poets through the Frost Place in Franconia, N.H. He writes about life in and out of a Zen monastery, trying to live mindfully in a busy and troubled world, his love of nature and of his wife. The arts have become more central to his life. Singer’s poems were published in the Massachusetts Review, Prairie Schooner, and Tar River Poetry.

Monday, February 15, 2016

Audible Book Review: Classic Love Poems by William Shakespeare, Edgar Allan Poe, Elizabeth, Barrett Browning and others

This was a lovely read for Valentine's week.
Classic Love Poems
Written by: William Shakespeare, Edgar Allan Poe, Elizabeth, Barrett Browning
Narrated by: Richard Armitage
Length: 22 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:02-09-15
Publisher: Audible Studios
Genre: Poetry
My Rating: 5.0 of 5.0


Publisher's Summary
For anyone who's in love - or hopes to be - what greater celebration could there be than to hear the world's greatest love poetry read lovingly by Richard Armitage? With 15 poems by William Shakespeare, Edgar Allan Poe, Elizabeth Barrett Browning, and more, Classic Love Poems is a listening treat for Valentine's Day - or any day.

Included in this collection are:
"How do I love thee?" by Elizabeth Barrett Browning
"Sonnet 116" by William Shakespeare
"Annabel Lee" by Edgar Allan Poe
"To Be One with Each Other" by George Eliot
"Maud" by Alfred, Lord Tennyson
"To His Coy Mistress" by Andrew Marvell
"Bright Star" by John Keats
"Love's Philosophy" by Percy Bysshe Shelley
1 Corinthians 13:4-8
"Meeting at Night" by Robert Browning
"The Dream" by Edna St. Vincent Millay
"The Passionate Shepherd to His Love" by Christopher Marlowe
"I carry your heart" by e. e. cummings
"She Walks in Beauty" by Lord Byron
"Give All to Love" by Ralph Waldo Emerson

About the Performer
Richard Armitage is known to movie audiences around the world as "Thorin Oakenshield" in the trilogy of films based on The Hobbit. Born in Leicester, England, and trained at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, Armitage has performed with the Royal Shakespeare Company, and created memorable roles on Robin Hood, North & South, and other British TV series.
Public Domain (P)2015 Audible Inc.


Review:
This was lovely and too short at 22 minutes. Listening made me remember how much I enjoyed reading these classics in my youth. The nice thing is that this is quick enough to listen to over and over. I recommend this to anyone who wants a quick remembrance of the joy of poetry and especially the themes of love, inspiration and hope of love.

Audio Notes: Richard Armitage does a superb job reading each of these grand, classic poems.
It makes for an engaging listen.

This was from my TBR Audible library received as a free read in February 2015. This qualifies for Audio and Alphabet Soup Challenge and also TBR Triple Dog Dare.

Tuesday, November 24, 2015

Book Review and Giveaways (print and ebook): You Know What I'm Sayin'?: Poetry * Drama by Daniel García Ordaz

I really enjoyed the tempos and cultural experience of this collection.
You Know What I'm Sayin'?: Poetry * Drama
by Daniel García Ordaz


  • Paperback: 80 pages
  • Publisher: El Zarape Press; 2nd edition (August 7, 2011)
  • Language: English, Spanish
    • ISBN-13: 978-0978995416
Genre: Poetry, Drama
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0


El Zarape Press presents its first collection of poetry by the eclectic Daniel García Ordaz, The Poet Mariachi, "the voice of the Rio Grande Valley" (Texas), an emerging voice in Chicano literature. You Know What I'm Sayin'? is a celebration of the common experience of language and culture transfiguring time and place and juxtaposing the politics of urban hip-hop America with the lyricism of rural deep South Texas, a retelling of ancient history sung by a contemporary voice. With an introduction by Fulbright Scholar Dr. Debbie Cole, a linguistic anthropologist. Mainly English; some bilingual (English/Spanish), Tex-Mex and pieces. Hispanic/Latino themes as well as All-American experiences relevant and appropriate for 3rd grade to college-level.


Review:
This is a decidedly different read for me and I greatly enjoyed it. I do like to read poetry – I just haven’t done so for some time. I don’t always think of poetry in a sense of “tempo” but you couldn’t read this collection without feeling the depth of rhythm. I could hear the hip-hop or jazz beat with the rhyme and that made it fun to read. There is even a very Spanish poem, These Are a Few of My Favorite “Che’s”, set to the tune of “A Few of My Favorite Things”.
Chitos, Chalupas
and Chilaquiles,

Cholos and Chukos,
Chales and Chiles,

Chelas and Cha-Chas,
and Chocolate,
These are a few of my favorite “che’s”.
And that is just the first verse!

Another plus in this collection is the sharing of the author’s personal view of a different culture. Yes, there was some Spanish I didn’t understand, but even that made sense in its adjacent context. The majority of pieces share images of a culture very different from my growing up place and yet many of the social themes cross over culture and class. I found it interesting to see poems about Affirmative Action and Mohammad Ali (Ode to a Butterfly II). The works are “rich”in imagery of coming of age, poverty, a young man’s ‘fancy’, racial issues and other expressions of life. Daniel makes beautiful use of language - English and Spanish.

Here is a quick bit of wisdom that any reader can appreciate:
Literary Séance
You don’t have to die
To speak to the dead.

Read instead.
A big thank you goes out to Daniel. I enjoyed meeting him at EPICon 2015 and I appreciate seeing a bit of his Hispanic American culture through this book. I was torn between keeping this personally autographed collection or sharing it with others. The solution: I will gift a print copy to one commenter and gift an ebook to another.

I was gifted this book by the author in March at EPICon 2015.

GIVEAWAY 
ONE new PRINT (US Only) 
and one Kindle eBook (Worldwide)


(Don't forget to fill in the form for entry!
I have noticed a few commenters who forgot to enter through the Form.)
For 3 Extra Bonus entries
(a) comment on the review, OR
(b) Visit the AUTHOR'S QUOTE site and tell me a quote you like there.

* This contest is open to US only for Print; Worldwide for eBook.
* This contest will close 5 PM (Central) December 1, 2015.
WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED after December 1, 2015.
Winners will have 72 hours to respond on the winners form linked in the announcement or by email.

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