Tag Archives: book reviews

A Review of My Poetry Collection, “Passing Through: Some Thoughts on Life and Death”

I was delighted to receive an email earlier today from a reader who has read my recently published poetry collection, “Passing Through: Some Thoughts on Life and Death”. In order to protect the privacy of my correspondent, I have not included any details which might identify her:

 

 

 

“I hope you are well and recovered from your traumatic period.

I like your poems about it and especially enjoyed these:

 

Whole Again; very poignant and concise.

 

Twilight: Lovely ,a  brief and enchanted moment, like a haiku.

 

A Garden in Early Spring: another lovely one. You are very good at describing that time of day becoming night.”

 

“Passing Through: Some Thoughts on Life and Death” is available in Kindle and paperback from Amazon Passing Through: Some thoughts on life and death eBook : Morris, K : Amazon.co.uk: Kindle Store.

 

A Review of My Poetry Collection The Churchyard Yew and Other Poems

I was delighted to receive a great review of my collection of poetry, The Churchyard Yew and Other Poems. To read the review please visit https://robbiesinspiration.wordpress.com/2024/10/04/robbies-inspiration-a-duo-of-poetry-book-reviews-the-churchyard-yew-and-pilgrim-poetry-bookreviews/

A 5 Star Review of my Poetry Collection, “The Churchyard Yew and Other Poems”

I was pleased to receive this 5 star review of my recently published collection, “The Churchyard Yew and Other Poems”:

“… The poems in this short but sweet collection cover myriad topics in a variety of styles. Some are about churchyards while others are about humans and animals. My favorite is “Going to Hell in a Hand Cart,” a perfect way to end the book. If you like straightforward, entertaining poetry, this book is for you.”

 

(To read the review in full please visit Amazon.co.uk:Customer reviews: The Churchyard Yew and Other Poems).

A 4 Star Review of My Collection “The Churchyard Yew and Other Poems”

I was delighted to receive the following 4 star review of my collection of poetry, “The Churchyard Yew and Other Poems” on Goodreads:

“This is a collection of almost 70 short poems. Most are reflections on mortality and the inevitability of death. Many compare human life to physical phenomena that do not experience death, or to nature, which transcends it. Weather and seasons are mentioned often, both as background and symbol …”.

(The full review can be found here Audrey Driscoll’s review of The Churchyard Yew and Other Poems (goodreads.com)  The review is also on Amazon here Contemplations of Mortality (amazon.ca)

The Churchyard Yew and Other Poems (Review Copies

I am in the process of publishing a new poetry collection entitled “The Churchyard Yew and Other Poems”.

 

I am looking for honest reviews of the book in advance of it’s publication. If you would like a free electronic copy in exchange for an honest review, do please let me know by emailing me at kmorris poet at gmail dot com (the address is given in this manner to prevent spam). Please put “The Churchyard Yew Review Copy” in the subject line of your email.

A 4 Star Review of My Collection of Poetry, More Poetic Meanderings, and News of My Forthcoming book, My Friend’s Robot Girlfriend and Other Humorous Verses

I am delighted to have received another wonderful review of my collection of poetry, More Poetic Meanderings, https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5526304433.

 

I am also pleased to let you know that I am in the process of publishing a collection of my humorous verses entitled My Friend’s Robot Girlfriend and Other Humorous Verses. I hope the collection will be available by the end of may in both Kindle and paperback editions.

A 4 Star Review of My Poetry Collection, More Poetic Meanderings

I was delighted to receive a 4 star review of my recently released poetry collection, More Poetic Meanderings. To read the review please go to https://robinleeann.com/2023/04/28/arc-review-more-poetic-meanderings/. The review can also be found on Goodreads here https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5472916160.

 

Responding to Criticism

Whilst out walking yesterday, I bumped into an acquaintance.
“I like your poems. I’m not sure about the limericks though”.

His comment concerning my latest collection “Leaving and Other Poems” made me smile. I appreciate good honest feedback and that is what I received.

I could have pointed out that others have said how much they enjoy my humorous verses, (which indeed they have). However, I said words to the following effect:
“I’m really pleased you like my poems”.
We chatted for a while about other matters, then we both went our separate ways.

I have seen other authors/poets become defensive when their writing is critiqued however gentle the criticism is. Whilst I completely understand why writers adopt this position – they have slaved long and hard over their computer to produce their work – not everyone is going to like everything you have written, and as authors/poets we need to accept this fact with grace and keep writing.

Some criticism is fair criticism and needs to be taken on the chin. We can (and should) learn from it. Where criticism becomes unacceptable is when it turns to personal attacks on the author or their family and friends. But provided it focuses on the writing it is fair as, once a book is out there it is no longer the sole property of the author. Of course he/she retains copyright, however readers have every right to interpret a book they have read as they wish.

In the case of my acquaintance, I am delighted he likes my “poems”, and I understand that my brand of humour is not to everyone’s taste. Indeed some readers dislike humorous verse in it’s entirety and they do, of course have every right to do so.

As always, I would be interested in the views of my readers.

(“Leaving and Other Poems” is available from Amazon in Kindle and paperback and can be found here, https://www.amazon.co.uk/Leaving-other-poems-Kevin-Morris-ebook/dp/B09R8NG6WQ).

Kevin

A Shiver, a Sigh, a Smile: Audrey Driscoll’s Review of Leaving and Other Poems by K Morris

I was delighted to receive a 4 star review of my recently published collection Leaving and Other Poems:

“Morris has a knack for creating vivid pictures with few words. “The Lighted Department Store” is a perfect example. Reading it, I saw the cheerful lights of store and pub, I heard the shouts of drinkers and the clink of glasses, but at the end, I was reminded, comes darkness and silence.

The brevity and conciseness of these poems make this book perfect for readers looking for philosophical glimpses into life.”

To read the review in full please visit https://www.amazon.ca/review/R3VGH3XMT6BHPE/.
To read a sample or purchase Leaving and Other Poems please visit https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09R8NG6WQ/

Born From Stardust and Other Poems, by Victoria Zigler – Book Review

Born From Stardust and Other Poems By Victoria Zigler – Book Review

The title poem in this collection begins as follows:
“We’re born from stardust, you and I,
And that alone’s the reason why
I’m pretty sure that when I die
I’ll join the stars up in the sky.”

Born From Stardust is a beautiful poem, and the book of the same name is a highly enjoyable and thought provoking read.

Amongst my favourite poems is “When Mummy Missed Story Time”, in which the poet poignantly describes the emotional reactions of a young child when it’s mother won’t read a bedtime story due to her fear that she has the Corona Virus, and her very natural desire not to pass on the infection to her son/daughter.

There are several other poems which touch on the pandemic, including one dealing with the impacts of social distancing on the individual and on society as a whole. I can relate to this series of poems, and it is a topic which I have, myself tackled in my own poetry.

Other poems deal with the threat posed by climate change. Again, this is a fine series of poems.

The serious poems are interspersed with lighter pieces such as “When Even the Beach is to Hot”:

“You know the temperatures are too high,
When even the beach is too hot!”

The above poem is especially apt at the moment given the very high temperatures we have been experiencing here in the UK and elsewhere.

I have read a number of Victoria Zigler’s poetry collections, and in my view this is her best thus far.

(Note: I received a free copy of Born From Stardust and Other Poems” in exchange for an honest review)

You can find Born From Stardust and Other Poems here https://www.amazon.co.uk/Stardust-Other-Poems-Victoria-Zigler-ebook/dp/B095Z78L8P