Reviews

Sailing Alone Around the Room: New and Selected Poems by Billy Collins

twylghast's review against another edition

medium-paced

0.25

roseleaf24's review

4.0

I really enjoyed these poems, but took this book a bit slow to begin with. They are different from other collections I've read, and certainly give quite a bit to think about. The best description I can give is that these are grown-up poems for those who still enjoy Jack Prelutsky. In depth and mature, but there are frequent twists that surprised a laugh out of me.

cjanegoodyear's review

funny hopeful reflective relaxing slow-paced

4.0

Wanted some Billy Collins for my poetry shelf, got some Billy Collins for my poetry shelf. He's sometimes a little TOO straightforward for my taste (which is like, his whole thing, I know), but there are some real gems in here. Fabulous read. 

mschrock8's review

My friend Kandra gave me this after son used it in a creative writing class at DePauw University.

akublik's review

4.0

Sometimes collections of poetry are so good, I just fly through them. While this one did not resonate that way with me, I gleaned so many ideas/forms/approaches that I want to try out in my own writing, making this a valuable book to me.

cseibs's review

4.0

Accessible without being simple. Collins makes it look easy but his turns of phrase are so complex, so clever, and just when he has you smiling he goes for your heart.

josh_paul's review

4.0

Amusing, clever, little poems.

unojaden's review against another edition

I’ve decided to dnf this for now because I don’t see myself picking it up again anytime very soon.

lauraew333's review

1.0

I was enjoying this until I reached the poems "Victoria's Secret" and "Taking Off Emily Dickinson's Clothes." The titles really say all you need to know.

racheladventure's review

5.0

I enjoyed this book of poems. Collins has a way of making the ordinary magical. Here are my favorite poems from this collection:

Walking Across the Atlantic (pg 4)
Introduction to Poetry (pg 16)
Forgetfulness (pg 29)
Consolation (pg 47)
Piano Lessons
Fishing on the Susquehanna in July
Victoria's Secret (109)
Lines Lost Among Trees (117)
Taking off Emily Dickson's Clothes (119)
Aristotle (132) [this was my favorite of the entire volume]