Review of From My Soul to Yours
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[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "From My Soul to Yours" by Christian Howard.]
From My Soul to Yours: The Poem Journeys of a Mystic Mind by Christian Howard is a stellar collection of short, numbered poems that take the reader on a journey of faith and love. The form in this book is quite simple. It features free-verse lines that are sometimes disconnected. On the other hand, the style reflects the rawness of prayer and inner spontaneity. As for themes, the poems contain elements of nature, human efforts, and divine familiarity. This book is a very personal piece that one can liken to a journal for the soul.
There are over a hundred poems in this book, but three major ones stuck with me because of how relatable I find them to be. The first on my list is "Divorced." This poem addresses the modern-day culture of children being married to their phones and divorced from one another. Unlike the previous generation, it is no news that this digital age has made it difficult for children and even some adults to share human connections. Secondly, we have "Now." This poem teaches us that in order to experience wholeness, we have to be present in every "now," or simply put, moment. Christian Howard teaches that we need to live fully in the present, forget the past, and embrace our future with grace. I’m sure we have all been told this at one point in our lives, but it never gets old. Last but not least, and most especially, my favorite of them all is "Seeds." When we hear the word "seeds," the first thing that comes to mind is plants. Christian Howard helps us understand that humans are like seeds, full of possibilities. However, unlike plants, we can shape our growth and the outcomes of our lives, even if we do not see the results until later. I couldn’t agree more with him on this.
I believe the best aspect of this book is its universal nature. Christian Howard, throughout the book, made it a point of duty to constantly remind his readers that God’s love is universal. This means that His love extends beyond people and animals to encompass the whole of creation. Religion is a very sensitive issue for some, so I love the fact that the tone used in this book is gentle yet firm. Christian Howard, in his poems, calls for kindness, humility, and love, while also sounding a warning against prejudice, ego, and empty words. I appreciate that the poems acknowledge doubts, struggles, and imperfections. It makes the spiritual journey relatable to readers and not idealized. I especially love the few images scattered throughout this book. Pictorial representation always enhances the beauty of a book.
I have no complaints regarding the poems themselves. Christian Howard did justice to each poem, but I unfortunately cannot give this book its full rating because I found a few grammatical errors within it. With that being said, I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars.
I would describe this book as less a poetry collection and more a spiritual guide. Please come with an open mind. Most of the poems read like prayers, encouraging readers to stop, look, and seek God in our everyday lives. I recommend this book to anyone seeking God in their lives. These poems allow you to discover God's love woven into your everyday experience.
******
From My Soul to Yours
View: on Bookshelves |
From My Soul to Yours: The Poem Journeys of a Mystic Mind by Christian Howard is a stellar collection of short, numbered poems that take the reader on a journey of faith and love. The form in this book is quite simple. It features free-verse lines that are sometimes disconnected. On the other hand, the style reflects the rawness of prayer and inner spontaneity. As for themes, the poems contain elements of nature, human efforts, and divine familiarity. This book is a very personal piece that one can liken to a journal for the soul.
There are over a hundred poems in this book, but three major ones stuck with me because of how relatable I find them to be. The first on my list is "Divorced." This poem addresses the modern-day culture of children being married to their phones and divorced from one another. Unlike the previous generation, it is no news that this digital age has made it difficult for children and even some adults to share human connections. Secondly, we have "Now." This poem teaches us that in order to experience wholeness, we have to be present in every "now," or simply put, moment. Christian Howard teaches that we need to live fully in the present, forget the past, and embrace our future with grace. I’m sure we have all been told this at one point in our lives, but it never gets old. Last but not least, and most especially, my favorite of them all is "Seeds." When we hear the word "seeds," the first thing that comes to mind is plants. Christian Howard helps us understand that humans are like seeds, full of possibilities. However, unlike plants, we can shape our growth and the outcomes of our lives, even if we do not see the results until later. I couldn’t agree more with him on this.
I believe the best aspect of this book is its universal nature. Christian Howard, throughout the book, made it a point of duty to constantly remind his readers that God’s love is universal. This means that His love extends beyond people and animals to encompass the whole of creation. Religion is a very sensitive issue for some, so I love the fact that the tone used in this book is gentle yet firm. Christian Howard, in his poems, calls for kindness, humility, and love, while also sounding a warning against prejudice, ego, and empty words. I appreciate that the poems acknowledge doubts, struggles, and imperfections. It makes the spiritual journey relatable to readers and not idealized. I especially love the few images scattered throughout this book. Pictorial representation always enhances the beauty of a book.
I have no complaints regarding the poems themselves. Christian Howard did justice to each poem, but I unfortunately cannot give this book its full rating because I found a few grammatical errors within it. With that being said, I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars.
I would describe this book as less a poetry collection and more a spiritual guide. Please come with an open mind. Most of the poems read like prayers, encouraging readers to stop, look, and seek God in our everyday lives. I recommend this book to anyone seeking God in their lives. These poems allow you to discover God's love woven into your everyday experience.
******
From My Soul to Yours
View: on Bookshelves |
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