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qkjgrubb's review against another edition
4.0
Deep sigh!
A lovely collection of poetry that kept me wanting more. I'll be back to read more of you, Mr. Collins. I promise.
A lovely collection of poetry that kept me wanting more. I'll be back to read more of you, Mr. Collins. I promise.
shaunireads1's review
5.0
I've read a few collections of poetry this year, and one thing I've learned is not to read too many poems in one sitting. With Aimless Love, I read about three poems a day, which was perfect. I especially love Billy Collins because his poems are about such ordinary things, but he offers such unexpected and interesting perspectives. His poems forced me to slow down and look at my own life through a new lens. I never thought I'd say this, but I think I need more poetry in my life!
kimmeyer's review against another edition
3.0
If I had to rate this on a W.H. Auden scale, it would be "I can see this is good and, though at present I don’t like it, I believe that with perseverance I shall come to like it".
elysahenegar's review
4.0
Billy Collins' poetry is witty and wise, smart in rhythm and diction. I enjoyed this book as one would a room full of paintings at an art museum. Sometimes, Collins riffs on a turn or phrase or a quotation pulled from who-knows-where, other times a scene, a memory, or a feeling. Sometimes I laughed out loud, sometimes I stared a while at the page to absorb the feeling. Some of these I even shared. I feel better for having spent the time listening.
debi_g's review
3.0
I enjoy poems in isolation much more than bound together in a volume, so my star-rating may unfairly reflect that peccadillo.
I've relished hearing a broadcast of his reading, and I've applauded his efforts to revitalize an appreciation for reading and writing poetry, but find only a few of Collins' poems in this collection to be captivating.
I've relished hearing a broadcast of his reading, and I've applauded his efforts to revitalize an appreciation for reading and writing poetry, but find only a few of Collins' poems in this collection to be captivating.
mundinova's review
4.0
A dog on his master
As young as I look,
I am growing older faster than he,
seven to one
is the ratio they tend to say.
Whatever the number,
I will pass him one day
and take the lead
the way I do on our walks in the woods.
And if this ever manages
to cross his mind,
it would be the sweetest
shadow I have ever cast on snow or grass.
This little collection of Collins' poems is a mixed bag.
Pros:
Short, easy to understand poems
Observational storytelling, much like observational stand-up comedy
Some are funny, some are sad. The funny ones are delightful!
Cons:
Some of the poems feel repetitive in nature. I wondered sometimes if I had already read one or if it was new.
Upper middle class American white man life observations. Might be hard to relate to.
The pros outweigh the cons, so I'd recommend this collection to anyone looking to get into poetry for the first time. But if poetry is your life and you're looking for a new voice, Collins isn't your man.
Stories: 3 stars
Capturing the Human Condition (as defined by me): 3 stars
Prose/Language: 5 stars
As young as I look,
I am growing older faster than he,
seven to one
is the ratio they tend to say.
Whatever the number,
I will pass him one day
and take the lead
the way I do on our walks in the woods.
And if this ever manages
to cross his mind,
it would be the sweetest
shadow I have ever cast on snow or grass.
This little collection of Collins' poems is a mixed bag.
Pros:
Short, easy to understand poems
Observational storytelling, much like observational stand-up comedy
Some are funny, some are sad. The funny ones are delightful!
Cons:
Some of the poems feel repetitive in nature. I wondered sometimes if I had already read one or if it was new.
Upper middle class American white man life observations. Might be hard to relate to.
The pros outweigh the cons, so I'd recommend this collection to anyone looking to get into poetry for the first time. But if poetry is your life and you're looking for a new voice, Collins isn't your man.
Stories: 3 stars
Capturing the Human Condition (as defined by me): 3 stars
Prose/Language: 5 stars
crystal_reading's review
4.0
Billy Collins has the ability to make me laugh out loud and also to think. One that cracked me up was To My Favorite Seventeen Year Old High School Student. He lists many famous people who had accomplished absolutely amazing things by the age of 14 or 15. He lets this favorite teen know that they are loved just as they are. He says that there will be time for these kinds of accomplishments later in life, "after you come out of your room and begin to blossom or at least pick up all your socks."
He has some that moved me too like Building with Its Face Blown Off. I couldn't help but remember images of Syrian cities that I've seen online when he was reading this one. It was intense when thinking about the thousands of people represented by those empty shells.
Every time I read a poem by Billy Collins, I want to read more of them. This collection just makes me want to run out and grab another by him.
He has some that moved me too like Building with Its Face Blown Off. I couldn't help but remember images of Syrian cities that I've seen online when he was reading this one. It was intense when thinking about the thousands of people represented by those empty shells.
Every time I read a poem by Billy Collins, I want to read more of them. This collection just makes me want to run out and grab another by him.
bkeniston's review
4.0
This exceptional collection of poetry from former Poet Laureate Billy Collins presents a number of new poems along with selections from four previous volumes. The structure results in a career retrospective of sorts, showcasing Collins’ range and talent through the years. These poems are deceptively simple, as Collins finds beauty in the mundane aspects of everyday life and wonder in small moments that are familiar to everybody. They can make you laugh out loud and feel a little sad at the same time. I have to admit that I’ve never been a big reader of poetry, but Billy Collins, as he has done for so many others, has piqued my interest, and I will be coming back for more
rissaleighs's review against another edition
5.0
I know I have read Billy Collins before, but apparently not at the right place or the right time, for I had no idea how delightful he is. I chuckled aloud at times and underlined so many perfect turns of phrase. This collection ends on his 9/11 poem which is really quite a perfect thing.