#BookReviews: #Poetry Magical Whispers by Balroop Singh @BalroopShado and Midnight Haiku by Sue Vincent @SCVincent

Hi everyone. Today, I have two book reviews for you from a couple of authors I have met via the wonderful invention that is the world wide web. The two books are poetry from Balroop Singh and Sue Vincent and are well worth a read. (Since scheduling this post, Sue sadly passed away on March 29th. I only wish I could have published this post sooner.) Rest in Peace, Sue.

About the Book:

 

55550726. sy475 I wait for whispers; they regale my muse. Whispers that can be heard by our heart, whispers that ride on the breeze to dispel darkness and ignite hope. I’m sure you would hear them through these poems if you read slowly.
‘Magical Whispers’ would transport you to an island of serenity; beseech you to tread softly on the velvety carpet of nature to feel the ethereal beauty around you. The jigsaw of life would melt and merge as you dive into the warmth of words.

In this book, my poems focus on the whispers of Mother Nature, whispers that are subtle but speak louder than words and breathe a quiet message.
Each day reminds us
It’s the symphony of surroundings
That whispers life into us.

My Review:

I’ve been meaning to get around to reading this author’s poetry for a while, and I’m so glad I have now. Magical Whispers isn’t a long book, but its poetry needs reading slowly and savouring. It goes deep. The book is split into two sections. The first deals with Mother Nature, and the second takes on a more personal note. I enjoyed it all.

I stated off by listing my favourites but, quickly, found the list growing far too long. Here a some of my favourite titles: Magic of Senses, Whispers of Soul, Song of Dusk, and A Loner. And below are a couple of my favourite verses:

Walk with me
I know this path too well
I’ve walked and crawled
I’ve been bruised
My bleeding feet ferret out thorns

and

Where the bridge bends
Meet me there
To watch the sun kiss
The flowing water

I shall be reading more of this author’s poetry for sure, and gets a resounding five stars from me.

About the Book:

57400802. sx318 Haiku is a Japanese poetry form that has become very popular over the past decades, taking on its own unique character under the rules for Haiku in English. a creative mind just seventeen syllables sharing a story The three hundred and sixty-five poems within this book collate a year’s journey in poetry through the seasons and the intermingled landscape of mind, body and spirit. The poems were originally published as “midnighthaiku” every night at the appropriate time, leaving, like Cinderella, a trace of a day’s passing and a glimmer of the day yet to come. Each poem can be read ‘on the surface’, but each has its own layers of meaning too, waiting to be discovered by those who turn their attention to the heart.

***

My Review:

 

 

Midnight Haiku has 365 poems along with photographs. I read this book all in one go, but it deserves for me to go back and read one poem a day. While the poems follow the seasons, loosely, they are also timeless. I thoroughly enjoyed this collection, and below are some lines that stood out for me:

choosing the high ways
arduous ascent required
sacrifice of self

and

only fools and death
blithely walk the labyrinth
with impunity

and

the ego acquires
lining its nest with tinsel
magpie of the mind

This is an inspirational book of poetry written after much reflection and contemplation. It gets a resounding five stars from me. I love it.

 

***

NOTE ON RATINGS: I consider a 3-star rating a positive review. Picky about which books I give 5 stars to, I reserve this highest rating for the stories I find stunning and which moved me.

5 STARS: IT WAS AMAZING! I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN! — Highly Recommended.
4 STARS: I WOULD PULL AN ALL-NIGHTER — Go read this book.
3 STARS: IT WAS GOOD! — An okay read. Didn’t love it. Didn’t hate it.
2 STARS: I MAY HAVE LIKED A FEW THINGS —Lacking in some areas: writing, characterisation, and/or problematic plot lines.
1 STAR: NOT MY CUP OF TEA —Lots of issues with this book.


I’d love to hear what you think of these reviews. Thanks for stopping by 🙂

 

For anyone interested, here are the Amazon links …

Magical Whispers

UK … https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B08R8XRTB2/

US … https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08R8XRTB2/

 

Midnight Haiku

UK … https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B08R8XRTB2/

US … https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08R8XRTB2/

14 Comments on “#BookReviews: #Poetry Magical Whispers by Balroop Singh @BalroopShado and Midnight Haiku by Sue Vincent @SCVincent

  1. I loved both of these books! Great reviews, Harmony. I agree that reading one of Sue’s haiku poems each day would be a great way to really absorb them. Thank you for sharing!

  2. Thank you so much Harmony, I am delighted that you liked my poetry. A five star review from a critique like you is warming my heart. I am feeling honored.
    Sue’s poetry is indeed inspirational. Thanks for sharing your thoughts about it.

    • You’re so welcome, Balroop. Best wishes with everything 🙂

  3. These are beautiful excerpts/poems that you chose to share from both ladies. I can see why they moved you. Each seems like they’d be enjoyable both as surface reading for the loveliness of the words or to study and savor for the depth of meaning. Thanks for sharing.

    • These collections moved me so much. Glad you like the excerpts. Thanks, Staci 🙂

  4. I’ve read Balroop’s book. I positively love her magic with poetry.

    Sue’s book sounds wonderful. I read a number of her Haiku verse on her blog but not in a collection like this. Beautiful reviews, Harmony.

    • So lovely to see you enjoyed Balroop’s book of poetry and Sue’s blog Haikus. Thanks, Mae 🙂