Tag: Poem

Book Review, Books, poetry

Summer Reads and Snacks: Book Recommendations with a Twist

Mona Alvarado Frazier

In my June Substack Post, I had fun matching summer reads to food and beverages. Although summer is half over, reading and snacking are not.

I recently finished two more books and recommend you borrow or buy them and take a read. (scroll to bottom)

Mona’s Substack

Two additional books:

If you’re a poetry fan, especially vivid poems that tell a story, then Richard Blanco’s HOMELAND OF MY BODY is a book you’ll love. The 117 poems focus on he and his mother’s homeland, identity, and the body. If I paired this with a beverage it would have to be non-alcoholic (water) because I’d be drunk and crying halfway through the book. Instead I’d have pieces of Ferrero Rocher chocolates to accompany the richness of the poems.

You know when a book is just so good you don’t want it to end? That’s how I felt about THE BERRY PICKERS by Amanda Peters. An indigenous family (Canada, Mi’kmaq) travel to Maine every year to harvest blueberries. Their four-year old daughter, Ruthie, goes missing from the fields, setting off a tragic mystery that haunts the survivors. In alternating chapters we hear from Ruthie and Joe, her brother, who was the last to see her. Pair this with iced tea and chocolate covered blueberries. But drink and eat slowly because you’ll read long into the night.

Subscribe to my Substack, Wanderlust and Words, for monthly posts that include writing, book publishing, and travel. You can also find me on Instagram.

If you’ve read a great story, pass it along in the comments and thank you for being here.

poetry

Late to the Poetry Party

Mona Alvarado Frazier

National Poetry Month-April 2015
National Poetry Month-April 2015

 

We’re a week into April, designated as National Poetry Month, and I’m late to the party–the poetry party.

Poets, and poets who don’t know it are celebrating with Poem A Day, PAD’ing for a week.

I have no excuses, only a humble poem (excuse) to offer.

 

The words weren’t ready

the feeling wasn’t there

to pick up a pen

and write pretty words

write a bright poem

one for spring,

flowers, bees, and such things

The heart didn’t remember

April had come and

poetry had sprung

but was content to wallow

in the winter doldrums,

hiding words in a hibernating heart

waiting for a reason

to impart.

Here’s a list of poetry party goer’s who I follow and that you may enjoy:

Kelli Russell Agodon – Book of Kells. She’s giving away free poetry books!

Himani B – Tenderheartmusings.

Andrea Beltran – enjoy her list of published poems on her page.

JohnCoyote – Poetry, Story, and Real Life.

Frausto – UP! urban po’E. Tree (s): Poet, Teacher, Librarian.

Paul Lenzi – Poetry and Polemics.

Per Mare – She uses gorgeous photography with her poems.

Jeff Nguyen – Deconstructing Myths: Social Justice is Built One Idea at a Time

Margo Roby: Wordgathering and prompts.

I have not exhausted my list of poets. I add one or two each time I come across a blog post on WP that I enjoy.

Share a poet site, or two, in the comments. The more the merrier.