The Lamps Of History by Michael Sandler

(Thank you to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book!)

 about book:

The Lamps of History wrestles with the ambiguities—and choices—between connection/alienation, renewal/decay, and faith/doubt. Its poems explore family histories and our stance toward them as they dim, frayed bonds with our grandparents’ traditions and beliefs, and distances ingrained in our current relationships. There are also poems on our civic estrangements: an ode to a papaya that spills into America’s tribal conflict; elegies to the environment (one on disappearing phytoplankton, another on forests ravaged by pine beetles); a ghazal to a semi-automatic weapon; and a failed recipe for noodle pudding. Michael Sandler’s writing marshals wit and wordplay in a deft handling of language and form. The poetry navigates the crosscurrents of tradition and post-modernism, steering somewhat closer to the former. Poet and editor George Bishop concludes: “This language is addictive. A stunning sense of place and story. To be read and read again.”

my thoughts: 

Poetry is where it's at. I always enjoy reading new-to-me poems and finding new poetry to fall in deep with. So, I was excited to get my hands on a copy of Michael Sandler's book, The Lamps of History. It's a fantastic collection of poems that cover a wide range of topics: family, relationships, the environment, and politics. I found myself dipping in and out of the book every day. I just loved Sandler's use of language and how he was able to evoke such vivid imagery and powerful emotions. It was fascinating to experience each poem - I would read a poem and let the tone settle in and then read it again and let the words sink in. It was such a great reading experience. 

I'd definitely recommend Sandler's book, The Lamps of History, to fans of poetry - you will LOVE this book!  

Here's the link to the TLC Book Tour schedule for: The Lamps Of History

Thank you to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book!