Excellent Read! A Beautiful Blend of Stories and Poems
936318
This book is a wonderful compilation of short stories, poems and writings of all different kinds. Each author adds a different flavor to this fun and unique collection. I'm going to share with all of my friends!
4286566
great poems and short stories in here from Literature Today :)  can't wait to see if there is a Volume 3
2745218
I very much enjoyed this collection of short stories that all have an unexpected twist. I usually am not a huge fan of short stories as I have a hard time getting into them, but Daniela's style hooked me into each and every story. Living in Switzerland, I especially enjoyed the fact that a few stories take place here. I was especially touched by the first story - I could feel the man's despair and suffering and actually had tears in my eyes when I reached the end of the story and the synchronicity it reveals. I loved that all the stories are so different, yet they all share an element of asking you to suspend belief and to step into a world where anything is possible. A beautiful collection of short stories I will certainly come back to.
1280326
This poet's use of metaphor and symbolism is both unique and  inspiring.............. I can read Rubin's poems almost like a prayer.  It is a beautiful collection that draws one away in relish and awe, covering a range of subjects, ranging from visions of Monet, Elizabeth Barrett Browning, Betsy Ross and Lizzie Borden!  She also speaks with such fervor about her grandmother and her son.  This collection is so diverse which makes it both interesting and adds an element of surprise.
I "Found" this slim volume in a book donation basket at my place of employment just a few years ago before retirement, and I bless the decision to pick it up.  Needless to say. I love to sit, if only for a few minutes, and cherish each morsel. For poetry-lovers, this is highly recommended, or just for the soul that might want a bit of enchantment.
3662306
Overall, a great collection of stories and I really like the author's note at the end. I think it provides a better understanding of each individual story and the collection as a whole. The characters in the stories, as well as the stories themselves were often very relatable, especially if you've loved and lost, or recently had a child.

As with any book of short stories, I certainly had my favorites among these nine stories. 'The Pink Flowers,' a story of a woman's recently loss of her husband was, in many ways, both a beautiful love story and a story about grieving. I loved learning about what the husband left behind for her and his forethought to prepare little surprises. The story also had a happy ending (sort of)! 'Tell Me A Story' was another favorite from the collection, this time with a sad ending. I enjoyed hearing about the couple reminisce on both happy and sad memories, and the banter back and forth made them seem like a much younger couple. Another highlight for me was 'Leaving Rotterdam'. This story acted like a teaser for me and I want more! I'd love to read what made Lodewijk and his family have to flea Rotterdam, and I'd like to know what happens when (if?) they finally reach New York. When I first read 'Locked Up Lovers', I liked the story, but since moving on from it, I've been thinking about it constantly. I wonder about what happens to the main characters in the end, and am curious if what I think happened in the end actually happened.

This collection of nine stories has relatable characters and situations (many of them at least), and is an enjoyable, quick read. I'd highly suggest it. As with Thompson's other work, there are always little (or big) surprises in the stories, which make them a pleasure to read. I also find that many of the characters stay with you long after you've read the story.
1247935
This is a brilliant collection of stories and poems. Each one offers a poignant message, sometimes uplifting, sometimes heartbreaking. What is consistent throughout is the command of the language, the eloquent turn of phrase, and the obvious passion behind each tale. There truly is something for everyone in this collection. I was particularly drawn to two stories: the last one, as it reminded me of my own grandfather, and the handbag story, which broke my heart (no mother should have to live through that). The author information at the end of the book was a lovely addition to the piece. I'm looking forward to more from this author.
2699291
Wow!  Danielle Anderson is certainly a new author with a strong voice.  So Far Gone is an eloquent collection of beautiful poems.  The poems are both poignant and profound, and together they chronicle a young life, but one that knows heartbreak and pain, as well as love and redemption.  It is without reservation that I highly recommend So Far Gone.  There is at least one poem in this collection for everyone,  and the themes expressed so beautifully throughout reach us all.
3591239
This collection of poetry is a wonderful blend of personal expression and myth.  Carolyn Clark draws readers into her way of looking at the world, mysterious and magical.  The ancient gods are alive in these poems, offering ways to better understand our lives and find meaning in the practice of remembering.  For students of myth as well as all readers of lyric poetry, this book is an inspiring and generous gift.
3410504
When I read the first story of this collection, I was not sure that I was going to like it - but with each page I read, I appreciated the author's perceptions more and more.  There is a calmness to her writing that belies the emotion and depth of each narrative.  The characters are well-drawn and none of the stories are ordinary.  It is a collection that I think needs to be read more than once, with a space of time in-between - one that will give new insights with each reading.  The only criticism I have is that there just aren't as many stories as I would like to explore.  A beautiful work.
3212063
Such a fabulous collection of poems! I especially loved Tyler Benavides' "With You, My Flower!" Definitely worth purchasing...
2481255
What a beautiful and varied collection of poetry!  This is poetry you will not only understand, but you will find yourself inside each one.  You will laugh, you will cry, you will sigh.  What you won't do is ask yourself, "What does this mean?"  The poems capture, illuminate, and interrogate the human experience.  At a recent reading by the author, I sat next to a woman who turned to me and said, "I hate poetry, but I love this!"
178897
Wonderful collection.  The imagery is fantastic. The first poem, "Florist", grabs you and pulls you in, and the poetry flows nicely throughout the book. "Bury It" was one of my favorites.  Toward the end, there are several poetic shorts, all of which I wanted to read more of, especially "Ionic."
373338
"Between Friends" by Amos Oz and translated by Sondra Silverston is a beautiful collection of tender stories. Each one centers on a different person and their life living on an Israeli Kibbutz. How communal living affects each person is different. Some aspects of living on the Kibbutz are as good as they are bad and through these stories we get a glimpse of what it must be like.

Each story was so lovingly crafted I felt as if I was personally being told these wonderful tales by the author. The images conveyed by the prose made the stories come alive.

I absolutely loved this book.
4451704
What a great read! This excellent collection of novellas brings us the compelling backstories of the Circle of Nine characters from way back in ancient times all the way to the present  and ties them together in such delightful, unexpected ways! The themes are universal, the characters hopes and dreams relatable, and you cant help but root for these endearing women. This collection is an excellent companion to the award-winning Beltany book. Highest recommendation.
1443768
What a great read.  The collection of poems and short stories are heartfelt and reveal a deep and rich side of the Afghan diaspora.  The writings reveal not only the struggle of identity, religion, and sexuality, but also strength and courage in facing the myriad of challenges of escaping war and growing up Muslim in America.
592400
This collection of poems is beautifully written. Each one masterfully weaves the emotions of a person with the beauty of nature. It reminds me of the Romantic period, where poetry was written from the perspective of nature and the beauty we can find all around us if we simply take the time to look. One of the best poems is titled, "A Piece of Me" where the author expresses self reflection and how they connect with nature as most would a person. Another wonderful poem was, "The Essence of Me" where the author notes a desire to persevere even when things seems the most bleak.  Perhaps, the most appealing aspect of this collection was the author's own struggles, ones many of us can relate too, being masterfully woven between the pages as they try to understand their own feelings while connecting them to the world.
1653152
This is a beautiful book, insightful storytelling with a unique perspective.  Could not put it down as there is something in each poem that can touch the hearts of multitudes of women. The photography is expressive, adding insight and depth to the poems.  Highly recommend, would be a great gift!