A lovely selection of modern poems about hope, gratitude and living in the moment. I enjoyed the discussion questions at the end and wish there were questions for each of the poems. ( )

DNF 33%
This wasn't what I thought it would be and I just couldn't get into the collection.

Are you happy to be alive? James Crews, the editor of this poetry anthology, asks the reader. He acknowledges the difficult times and notes that each of the one hundred poems included in this collection asks the same question of the reader. These are very short poems written by both familiar and unfamiliar poets (at least to me). Periodically, throughout the book, the editor takes a “Reflective Pause” where he very briefly discusses a single poem, and offers some questions as an invitation for “writing and reflection.”

I found this book while browsing the bookstore this past winter (and wondering why the store didn’t have the book face-out — the old bookseller in me can’t help having such thoughts ) and I was immediately attracted to the short poems. Quite different from the often angst-ridden volumes we know and love (which my husband refers to as “little pellets of angst”). And while I didn’t connect with all of them, I very much enjoyed many of these mostly one-page, life-affirming poems, and was particularly drawn to those which spoke of nature. I was not much interested in the “Reflective Pause” pages, but other readers may enjoy them. In fact, I enjoyed this little anthology so much that I bought four more copies and sent them to friends I thought would like them. That, in itself, is a recommendation. ( )

Name: How to love the world
Author: James Crews
Genre: Poetry, Anthology
Rating: 4/5
Review:
An anthology of poetries about hope, gratitude and forgiveness from well known poets. Each poetry is different from the other, unique in their own ways, in thoughts, in ideas, but they resonate to each other, like the different colour of light, so different, yet the same.This book gives the feeling of being whole, being complete. I found most of the poetries delightful and pleasing, some were heartbreaking like the poem "At the age of 18" by Amanda Gorman and "Forgiveness" by Marie McCue. I found the poem " In Gratitude" by Abigail Carroll.
It is perfect for all type of readers. This book contains all kinds of sentiments, pain, loss, hope, gratitude, forgiveness, and happiness. How To Love The World is definitely an amazing book and I would recommend it to all the readers. ( )