Shannon's Review - The Superlative A. Lincoln by Eileen R. Meyer

Title: The Superlative A. Lincoln
Series: None At the Moment
Author: Eileen R. Meyer
Illustrator/Book Cover Design: Dave Szalay
Genre: Non-Fiction, Children, Picture Book, Poetry, Biography
Publisher: Charlesbridge Publishing
Received: Free For Honest Review
Release Date: November 2019
Pages: 48
Rating:














Author Eileen R. Meyer’s Official Websites:


Website:

https://www.eileenmeyerbooks.com/

Blog:
None Found

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/eileenmeyerbooks

Twitter:
https://twitter.com/Writer_Meyer

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/eileenmeyerbooks/




Shannon’s Thoughts:

One of the most loved presidents of the USA, Abraham Lincoln, lived in a time of hardship but overcame many obstacles to become the great man we know him as. Author Eileen Meyer adds tidbits of Abraham’s history after a quaint rhyming poem on every page turn. Written for children but even this adult learned some new facts.

The art by David Szalay and whimsical poetry make this book fun and interesting. Some of the facts about the president are well known but I found a few I did not know. Not only was he the tallest president he was also a farmer… but not a good one.

There is absolutely nothing I dislike about this book. It is nice to look at, the wordplay brings joy and I learned about a person that is part of my country’s history.

I would probably recommend this book for ages 7 and up. Of course, the “and up” in my mind definitely includes adults. After all, an adult wrote this and probably learn new things writing this as well.

Shannon's Review - 20 Degrees From Normal by Anissa Ferris and Antonio Ferris

Title: 20 Degrees From Normal
Series: None
Author: Anissa Ferris and Antonio Ferris
Genre: Fiction, Poetry, Children, Picture Book,
Publisher: Lulu Publishing Services
Received: Free for an honest review
Release Date: October 2016
Pages: 38
Rating:

Authors Anissa and Antonio Ferris’ Official Websites:



Websites:
Anissa: none found

Antonio: none found

Blogs:
Anissa: none found
Antonio: none found

Facebooks:Anissa: https://www.facebook.com/anissa.ferris
Antonio: https://www.facebook.com/AntoniorFerris

Twitters:
Anissa: none found

Antonio: none found





Shannon’s Thoughts:
Some cute and thoughtful poems from a brother and sister writing team. A poetry book for all ages, with poems that are fun, fantastical, and just a joy to read.

The wondrous art of Fanny Liem and the rhyming work of Ferris siblings has a nice rhythm. They work together perfectly. The poems are funny, relatable and have an almost nursery rhyming feel.

I usually cringe through a kids poem book that relies on rhyming. Many authors force words that sometimes don’t make the rhyming flow as nicely. I was pleasantly surprised to find this book does not do that and the sing-song nature of the poems are really wonderful.

I hope these young authors do more writing. I enjoyed the book and chuckled once or twice.

Shannon's Review - Goblin Market by Christina Rossetti

Title: Goblin Market

Series: N/A

Author: Christina Rossetti

Genre: Fiction, Short Story, Poem, Fantasy,

Publisher: Chronicle Books

Received: Paperback Swap

Release Date: 1862

Pages: 70

Rating:

Author Christina Rossetti’s Official Websites:

Website:

N/A

Blog:

N/A

Facebook:

N/A

Twitter:

N/A

Shannon’s Thoughts:

The Goblin Market is a short story/ poem that reads like a fairy tale.  The message of the poem is about sexuality the desires we have but should not necessarily give into those desire without dire consequences.

I was very intrigued by this short story as I heard it read on the podcast CraftLit.  The podcaster read it before the beginning of getting into The Picture Of Dorian Grey.  Both stories talk about people giving into desires and what happens as a result. The Goblin Market is similar to fairy tales because there is an innocence to the prose, not unlike a children’s book.  But there is a darkness as well...which is not unlike Neil Gaiman short stories.

I would like to see a completely illustrated version of the Goblin Market. Even though the story is beautifully described I longed to see a visual to just give it a little more creepiness.

I am glad I found this little gem.  I am curious about what else author Christina Rossetti has written during this time she had on this earth. One day maybe I will read more of her work.

Shannon's Review - Sweet Breath Of Knowing by Theresa May Evie

Title: Sweet Breath Of Knowing

Series: N/A

Author: Theresa May Evie

Genre: Poetry, Religious Inspiration, New Age

Publisher: Outskirt Press

Received: from author for review

Release Date: March 2009

Pages: 252

Rating:

Theresa May Evie Official Websites:

Official Website

N/A

Blog

N/A

Facebook

N/A

Twitter

N/A

Shannon’s Thoughts:

The Sweet Breath Of Knowing is written like poetry but it’s content is about spirit and knowledge.  It is especially about the connection of spirit and knowledge during the different times of my, or your life.

Author Theresa May Evie writes this book as a guide to the light and love within the human body.  Hoping to stir the goodness within that as an adult may have been lost.  So the book is written with good intentions for the people of earth.

Trying to create or write something that sends good vibes and feeling the spirit of love is all well and good and I give Ms. Evie credit for that.   The only thing is the way it is written is way over the top and difficult to understand.   This deeply thought out book that is spaced into 252 pages is actually half that and wastes a lot of paper.  

Good intentions or not this book is not, in my opinion, worth the read.  There are just books out that are easier to understand then this about similar subjects.

 

Shannon's Review - Beneath A Blue Umbrella by Jack Prelutsky

Title: Beneath A Blue Umbrella

Series: N/A

Author: Jack Prelutsky

Genre: Children’s Poetry

Publisher: Greenwillow Books

Received: Swap site

Release Date: April 1990

Pages: 64

Rating:

Author’s Websites:

http://www.jackprelutsky.com/

Shannon Thoughts:

Jack Prelutsky is king of children’s poetry that rhymes. The poetry is nicely paired with Garth Williams illustrations of young kids, animals and whatever else is described.

The poetry is really adorable the rhyming of each poem just flows together as if the words were just meant to shine together.

The first couple of poems are cute and somewhere in the middle of the book they become less imaginative and exciting.

I think children will appreciate the poems and there rhymes. I prefer the poetry about fantasy animals like dragons which were featured in another book of poems by Prelutsky called The Dragons Are Singing Tonight.

Shannon's Review - My Pictures, My Words by Mac Kenney

Title: My Pictures, My Words
Series: N/A
Author: Mac Kenney
Genre: Poetry
Publisher: Outskirts Press
Received: From Author For Review
Release Date: April 2011
Pages: 46
Rating:


My Thoughts:
Some beautiful pictures taken added with sweet poetry about love and life.

My favorite picture in this book has to be sandy beach landscape with the pink hue sky and the couple getting married on the right side.   All the poems are sweet and wonderful to read.

Love the pictures, love the poems but I am not a fan of the cover.  It threw me off and was kinda why I haven’t reviewed this long.   

I am glad I finally picked it up.  What wonderful art that the author/photographer shared with the world.





Website:

N/A

Review - Painted Bride Quarterly : Print Annual 1

Title: Painted Bride Quarterly : Print Annual 1
Series: Painted Bride Quarterly
Author: Various
Genre: Poetry
Publisher: Painted Bride Quarterly
Received: Free for Review
Release Date: February 2003
Pages: 313
Rating:



What is it About?

A book of various authors poetry, essays and interviews.

My Thoughts:

Most of the poetry in this edition I don’t feel I really grasped the sense of what the author was trying to bring across but the few gems I did really stood out. Poetry about the meaning of being in this world by Katrine Marie Gulager. The somewhat humorous poem “Male Gorillas” by Ruth Stone. Humor and poetry are something I am never sure about. I think the author means it to be funny and I like that because it seems different with poetry and there were a few poems like that. Including one made up interview with Popeye’s Olive Oil.

I give the rating to the poems I liked in this one which are only a handful and there are a lot in here. The ones I related to where just so good that I could not see giving it low stars because I did not understand the rest.

Website:

Painted Bride Quarterly Official Site
http://pbq.drexel.edu/pbq/

Sanctuary of The Soul by Aaron St. Julien

 




Title: Sanctuary Of The Soul
Series: N/A
Author: Aaron St. Julien
Genre: Poetry
Publisher: Outskirts Press, Inc.  
Received:  From Author For Review
Release Date: Janurary 2011
Pages: 92
Rating:


What is it About?
Poetry written over a 16 year period.  About life, spirituality and love.

My Thoughts:

It’s hard to grasp the feeling and prose of this poetry at first if you are use to reading prose that goes very differently.   This very much feels like rap and sometimes the way the sentences are broken up throw off the flow of reading.   I think some of it could have been edited better.

For the most part I enjoyed reading the poems once I got the flow that I think the poems are meant to go I understood them better.  

I couldn’t relate to some of the poetry as some of the poetry is about race and the trails that Aaron St. Julien as gone through but that doesn’t mean they do not have meaning to me.

Website:

N/A.

Trailer:
N/A

Reflections of My Mind (Volume 1) by Joe Cordrey

Title: Reflections of My Mind   
Series: N/A
Author: Joe Cordrey
Genre: Poetry
Publisher: CreateSpace  
Received: From Author for Review Purposes
Release Date: February 2011   
Pages:100

Rating:




What is it About?
A poetry book featuring poems on love, friendship and loss.


My Thoughts:

I do enjoy poems that rhyme more then some and I did feel the emotions that I believe was in the poems.

I do not feel these poems had to be in all caps shouting at us deliberately or not. A few times author says “Honey don’t ask me why” in different poems. It feels condescending.

I think I did view these poems in a different emotional way the writer intended. I just don’t feel some of the poems were very good, I am sorry to say.  That is not to say some weren’t I just come back from the book feeling these may not have been the author’s best poems to put into a book.

Website:

N/A

City Above The Sea And Other Poems by Stephen Alan Saft

 



Title: City Above the Sea And Other Poems   
Series: N/A   
Author: Stephen Alan Saft
Genre: Poetry
Publisher:  Xlibris Corporation
Received: From Author for Review Purposes
Release Date: December 2008
Pages: 104
Rating:
 

What is it About?
Detailed Poetry of events, future, past and people who have inspired Mr. Saft.

My Thoughts:

To fully grasp the beauty of these poems they need to be read over and over again.  Each time you will find a richness in description whether it be about tomatoes, cucumbers or city above the sea.

One that sticks with me has a anti Vietnam War Chant of the 1960’s
“Hey, Hey LBJ
How many boys did you kill today?”

That chant in it’s own right is chilling to think about especially if put in the perspective of the poems claims.

Very good and moving pieces of work if you have time to really let you mind soak in the true meanings.

Website:
Stephen Alan Saft’s Site
http://www.sasaftwrites.com/

"Dust" And Other Poems by Thomas Noel Smith

Title: “Dust” and other poems
Author: Thomas Noel Smith   
Genre:Poetry
Publisher: Outskirts  Press                                             
Received: From Bostick Communications for review purposes
Release Date: Jan 2011
Pages:90
Rating:

What is it about?
Poetry from a wise gentleman feeling that he is near the end of his life shares his heart & soul throughout his writings.

My Thoughts:
The more I read poetry the I feel I like it and come to understand some of it.

Thomas Noel Smith’s poetry moved one in many ways.  There is a sadness and wisdom not only in the mans’ eyes but how he views things in the world and what he feel is the end of his years.  Loss of love, loss of faith, and grief over life’s ups & downs.  His poetry is honest deeply felt in the heart.

Sometimes I was so moved by the poems I would put the book down saddened by the thoughts and his losses.  My favorite poem would have to be “Enough”.   There are a  few lighter ones as well and I enjoy that his work has been shared for all to see.