Collection of poems from a star-studded list of diverse contemporary poets. An excellent choice for gratitude journal responses. I liked the four reflections prompts. The collection is an artifact of a difficult year for many who need reminders of beauty and joy, and I have recommended to friends who are struggling in isolation and uncertainty. It is also a valuable well to dip into on occasion or for young poets.

A nice collection of positive, reverent, mindful poems along with essays and journal prompts from the editor. Good for either reading cover to cover or to have on hand for finding poems for special occasions. Includes a wide range of diverse, contemporary poets.

Another wonderful book with a beautiful cover! Definitely recommend it!
I thought the cover was very colourful and apt for the content inside which was just as colourful in the depth of the emotions relayed. I simply loved it!

I enjoyed the impressive variety of voices in this collection of poetry! Each held their own rhythm and tone, even when speaking of the same experiences. It was a pleasant surprise to see how detailed the reflective pauses were, as we were invited to write about topics just visited from an introspective angle. I think those prompts and discussion points provided a unique bonus to an already outstanding collection.

This is a wonderful book for poetry lovers in book clubs or who like self-reflection. The discussion questions scattered throughout the book as well as those at the book's end were absolutely thought-provoking and thoughtful.

The themes articulated through the poems brought common issues in today's world (e.g. pandemic isolation, divorce) and emulated sentiments of love and compassion so beautifully, I couldn't help but read on the entire collection in one sitting.

Don't think I was the intended audience of this book.

There were a few poems in this book that were outstanding and I cherished reading and exploring these- some examples include the stunning To Ask by Julie Murphy and Dale Biron's Laughter. Overall there were perhaps 7 poems i highlighted to read again and will stay with me..

This book is really well set up for those who want to explore their own happiness, gratefulness and who wish to attempt reflective creative writing. There were prompts at thoughtful moments throughout the collection but I did not find them inspiring for the sort of person I am - I can totally see why someone who has more faith might enjoy them though.

The collection also includes reading group questions and information on all of the poets which is an excellent touch.

Overall I think it was well curated and thematically sensitive- just not for me.

If you want to read some poetry that will make you feel grateful, happy, or uplifted, this might be the collection for you. How to Love the World collects works from various poets, while managing to maintain a flow that makes sense throughout. It isn't choppy or random, as it could be with so many authors having written. Every so often, there is a little vignette that helps you reflect on the poem you just read. It's simple and sweet and keeps you engaged. A great collection to soothe your emotions during turbulent times.

Thank you to Netgalley and Storey Publishing for an e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!

While I think poetry is super subjective and what one person may feel inclined to may ring on deaf ears to another, I did overall enjoy this compilation of art. There were many authors that I had never heard of but nonetheless I appreciated their words. While not every poem in this book spoke to me, there were enough that caused me to stop and reflect that I think it’s worth the read. It’s a quick, easy read so I choose to span it out and only read a few poems a night before bed and reflect on how they made me feel, it became a nice nightly routine. The book is a recently written one as COVID-19 is mentioned in some of the pieces. Overall, I enjoyed it.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGAlley and Storey Publishing for this ARC of How to Love the World: Poems of Gratitude and Hope, edited by James Crews. One of my reading goals for 2021 was to add more poetry to my repertoire. How to Love the World completely fit the bill! I think I found a few favorites and will be purchasing a copy of this one when it is released. I also enjoyed the reflection pieces and writing prompts sprinkled throughout. Excellent poetry book, especially if you are poetry aficionado.

"The first day when I could do nothing, contribute nothing
beyond staying distant from my own kind, I did this."

Poet Jane Hirshfield concludes her poem in "How to Love the World" with those lines. Learn what she did and how other people accentuate the positive during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Subtitled "Poems of Gratitude and Hope," this collection edited by James Crews is his effort to shake off the malaise, brave the fear, and answer affirmatively, "Are you happy to be alive today?"

A beautiful collection of poems, ‘How to Love the World’ is a true pleasure to read.
The poems seem to be written by the hearts that view the world through the lens of kindness. Poems that reflect on ‘Joy of Presence’, ‘Small Victories’, ‘Pieces of Heaven’ and other modes of positive outlooks.

The love of a father and his desire to see his kid painted so vivid in such a short poem (Bus stop). Another father ‘taking care (of his daughter) in full silence and secrecy’. He loves her even then she is lost in the sleep. Such beautiful images of love and bonding.

Readers can see an optimistic parent believing in the goodness of the world in the words of January Gill O’Neil ‘and wonder who could mistake him for anything but good’. Also fearing ‘for his safety – the darkest child on our street in the empire of blocks’.

Rain sounds different and appears as remembered wisdom in ‘Praise of Darkness’. We imagine ourselves as immortal in bright summer nights and learn to love both ordinary and extra in ‘Perceptive Prayer’.

Poetic expressions like ‘Hope doesn’t know its destination’, ‘Tomorrow the world will begin again, another fresh start’, ‘A letting go of one thing, to fall into other, ‘A girl of color is a light house’, ‘A day that began like a gift’, ‘the decades of side-by-side, our great good luck’ fill hearts with warm joy and bliss.

‘My Daughter’s Singing’, ‘Fifteen Years Later, I See How It Went’, ‘Kindergarten Studies the Human Heart’, ‘Held Open’, ‘The Lesson of the Falling Leaves’ are among some of my favorite poems.

To sum up aptly, ‘Glad to be in this place, this life and to read this book’ as in the poem of Astral Chorus.

This was such a nice, uplifting collection of poetry by various poets. The common theme of the poems are gratitude and hope. I was not familiar with most of the poets, but I did enjoy most of them. There were a few poems that I couldn’t relate to, but they were still great to read. I really like Joy Harjo’s poem, “Eagle Poem”.

The book included prompts about the poems for readers to complete which was a welcomed surprise.

I really enjoyed this book and the bite sized chunks make it perfect for all readers. Some gripped me more than others but that is so often the case with poetry.
A lovely collection and one which I have enjoyed dipping in and out of.
Some lovely words and a nice gentle read in strange times offering comfort.
Very grateful to the author, net galley and publisher for allowing me to receive this copy thank you

Thank you Netgalley for gifting me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I poured through this book twice. Once just exploring the book and the second, a slower more reflective pace. I stopped and engaged in the lines that caused me to pause. When I came to one of the several reflection pages dotted through the text, I stopped and wrote myself. There are questions at the back that help to look at the poems closer; a great addition to the book.

I loved this book immensely. I am usually drawn to poetry that is nuanced and full of imagery. Verses that you need to ruminate on and unpick levels of meaning and really examine; I enjoy that process. This was not that. And for some of some of the reviews I've read, that was it's undoing. For me, it was what what made it magic. These poems connected on a really simple, human level. No high-brow statements, no complex metaphorical imagery. Real. I feel like I had read snippets of diaries; the rampant spilling over of thoughts captured on napkins; muttered, desperate prayers. And right now, in the third lockdown during this pandemic, that is exactly what I needed. Connection. Emotion. Simple, authentic and beautiful observations.

I was exposed to many different poets here who I will now go and find their individual works. I was particularly moved by James Crew's poems.

I know poetry is subjective and everyone has their preferences. I wouldn't have thought this would be mine. But it met me at the right time and I know I will keep returning.

‘How to Love the World’ is a sweet poetry anthology focused on hope, interspersed with reflection exercises do help the reader find their own hope in an overwhelming time.

Most of the poems are relatively short and simple, making this an accessible volume for all. The volume is loosely ordered by theme, and poems about nature are predominant.

Overall I found that many of the poems included lacked depth and nuance, which made reading the volume a little repetitive. Some did strike a chord with me, but I found them in the minority.

The book contains lots of reading group questions at the end and would perhaps be best used in this way, with the poems being openers for wider discussions about the nature of hope.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

How to Love the World is a stunningly comprehensive collection of poems that share the common theme of gratitude and hope. Featuring the work of both established poets and promising new voices, the collection, edited by James Crews, celebrates the joy that is to be found in everyday life in a landscape that is more threatening and divisive than ever before. The pauses for reflection are well-placed throughout the book, and the included topics for discussion invite further contemplation. I would recommend this collection as a beautiful escape, and an opportunity to more fully embrace gratitude.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Storey Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this title.

I would like to thank the publisher for providing me with an Advanced Reader Copy through NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
I love reading contemporary poetry and discovering new voices. Unfortunately, this collection of poems didn't resonate with me. I enjoy metaphors and symbolism in poems and most of the poems in this collection had a different, more straightforward style. I understand that reading poetry is a personal experience so this doesn't mean that it's a bad collection of poems. It's a matter of taste and how each book that we read makes us feel.

Poetry isn't my "thing" but I was drawn to the beautiful cover. In these uncertain times some of these poems and prose are lovely to read. There are sections on reflection and gratitude, and ideas for writing your own poetry and prose. At the end there are reading group ideas and information about each author.
I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review

Thank you, NetGalley for giving me a chance to review this ARC!

I was pleasantly surprised by how good this turned out to be! I don't think it'll ever be my favorite collection but I really liked the thought and effort that went into the curation here and the way they flowed. The reflective pauses were welcome breaks in between the poetry and while I gave up and didn't do the reading group questions, I actually do intend on turning to them later.

I appreciated the foreword in the sense that it was brief and allowed us to get right into the actual poetry. I feel like the poet's biographies could have been shortened a little bit, or not included, or just included in a different way; as they currently stand they're just this big chunk of text at the end that no one will read unless someone really really loved a poem.

Stunning, simply stunning! These beautiful poems are about real life, and I could relate to many of them.

Thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for an advanced reading copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.