Contents of a Minute by Josephine Jacobsen - Book Review & Giveaway
Part of the Quarternote Chapbook Series from Sarabande Books, Contents of a Minute gives us a look into the poetry of Josephine Jacobsen, celebrated poet. This 29-page collection is filled with recently discovered and previously unpublished poetry and is a great collection whether you’re just discovering Jacobsen’s work or you’re already a fan.
Jacobsen’s poetry is filled with depth and rhythm. If you’re new to poetry, I would suggest someone like Jacobsen for her ability to pull the reader into a scene without being confusing. This is not to say her poetry is simple–it is anything but. In fact, the subject matter often has dark undertones, speaking of death or longing. But it is not so heavy as to drag the reader down and leave them wallowing. There is something redeeming about the beautifully swaying beat and the unusual rhyming schemes in many of the works, such as in the poem Natural, one of the recently discovered. It is almost sung, and even if you’re not the poetry-spouting type, you may just find yourself trying to commit a fragment or two to memory for later.
Whether you’re a poetry buff or not, I encourage you to check out Jacobsen’s work. She won many awards in her lifetime, including the Robert Frost Medal for Lifetime Achievement in Poetry, the highest award a poet can hope for. If you’d like a copy for yourself, I have an extra one just for giving away. Enter to win by midnight on Friday, June 20, 2008.
1.) Leave a comment telling me something about your poetry reading habits. Do you ever read poetry, or is it something you’re hoping to try? (Something more than “I want this book” is kindly suggested.) If the randomly chosen winner doesn’t reply to my email telling them they’ve won, I often choose the #2 winner based on their comment.
2.) or Subscribers are automatically entered into this and all future giveaways. Just enter your email address in the little white box on the upper part of the right hand column. (Please make sure to verify your Feedburner subscription by responding to the email they send you. If you don’t receive it, check your junk mail.)
3.) or Blog about this giveaway on your blog with a link back.
If you do all three, you have three entries to win.
Posted in Book Review and Giveaway, Poetry, chapbooks
June 17th, 2008 at 12:32 pm
I have a several books of poetry that my husband and I have brought on vacation to read together. I would love to start to expose my grandchildren to poetry.
June 17th, 2008 at 12:56 pm
I love to read and to write poetry. For me it is a window into my soul.I read poetry to my children who are 4 and 6.
June 17th, 2008 at 1:00 pm
[...] Original post by Diane [...]
June 17th, 2008 at 1:03 pm
I would love this. I was a big poetry fan in college. I’d love to get back to it. Thanks for the opportunity!
June 17th, 2008 at 1:24 pm
This looks wonderful
June 17th, 2008 at 2:08 pm
I didn’t enjoy being “taught” poetry. I do, however, enjoy reading poetry on my own. Some poets I love - Howard Nemerov, Matthew Arnold, William Blake.
June 17th, 2008 at 4:44 pm
i don’t read a lot of poetry, but would love to read more
June 17th, 2008 at 4:56 pm
i have always loved poetry. It is a genre of writing I wish I read more
June 17th, 2008 at 5:03 pm
I love poetry, the best is what I learned in school years ago.
June 17th, 2008 at 5:07 pm
As a kid, if my grandma thought we were faking sick to stay home from school, she made us memorize a poem. Hated it then … love it now.
gkstratos @yahoo.com
June 17th, 2008 at 5:29 pm
[...] Where: carp(e) libris reviews [...]
June 17th, 2008 at 7:10 pm
I’ve always been a poetry girl. In school, I used to write poem after poem after poem….especially when having crushes on boys!!
As a teacher, I always thought it was very important to share poetry with the students. I taught 4th grade, and I read them at least one poem a day during our morning meeting. They really loved it! I also did a lot of poetry writing with the students. Some were really talented, too!!
Thanks for the opportunity to win this giveaway!! I’ve also signed up for your newsletter.
Michele
luvkittysmeowmail@gmail.com
June 17th, 2008 at 7:19 pm
I generally don’t read entire books of poetry although I used to do that. I typically will look for poetry on a subject that’s on my mind at that time and then read through poems until I find one I like and then I save that one. Also, my daughter writes poetry which is full of imagery and deeper meanings so I take great enjoyment from reading that.
June 17th, 2008 at 7:23 pm
I can’t write poetry worth the darn, but boy oh boy I love reading Silverstiens books. They are fantastic.
Would love to win!!!
June 17th, 2008 at 7:36 pm
Unique poetry books such as this one appeals to me greatly. There are several American and British poets that I always enjoyed.
June 17th, 2008 at 7:57 pm
I have never been a poetry reader! but this book looks enticing and interesting and would be a nice introduction to poetry for me! Please enter me!
June 17th, 2008 at 9:07 pm
The fun part about reading poetry for me is the sound and rhythm and music of it. My ears respond to a poem before the analytical part of my brain does, and if my ears don’t like it, my brain is not going to get involved!
I have been reading Philip Larkin’s collected works over the past year. I’m really enjoying it. Last summer I worked my way through Elizabeth Bishop’s poems and savoured them too. Seamus Heaney is definitely my favorite.
Thank you for this fabulous giveaway!
June 17th, 2008 at 9:33 pm
I’ve always been a fan of poetry. I wish I could discover this new author, whihc sounds great.
Thank you for the opportunity!
June 17th, 2008 at 9:57 pm
I write poetry. And very good at it too! Check my blog
rooted.
And one has to read poetry, appreciate it fully before venturing out into poetry writing.Mary Oliver is one of my favourite poets along with classic poets.
How do you say it? Poetry is what sustains me…
June 17th, 2008 at 9:57 pm
Hi! I see at one point she was the poetry consultant to the U.S. Library of Congress! Pretty impressive. I have enjoyed poets and poetry for as long as I can remember. Lyrical, rhythmic lines fascinate me! Please enter me in your drawing. I always appreciate it. Thanks, Cindi
June 18th, 2008 at 12:50 am
I like poetry but it’s hard to find good poetry these days.
June 18th, 2008 at 6:41 am
Yes indeedy I read poetry. Wanna know my favorites? Sylvia Plath and Anne Sexton!
This book sounds right up my alley. Dark.
June 18th, 2008 at 6:42 am
I just subscribed for another entry. And of course, for your reviews and lovely little tidbits!
June 18th, 2008 at 7:32 am
I would like to be more exposed to poetry - this would be a great prize!
June 18th, 2008 at 8:11 am
COOL BOOK
June 18th, 2008 at 8:40 am
poetry is the song of the language, and is also the sole of history.
June 18th, 2008 at 8:48 am
I would love to introduce my daughter to poetry early. This book looks like a fantastic one to start that journey.
June 18th, 2008 at 9:20 am
Sounds like a winner to me
June 18th, 2008 at 11:10 am
I write poetry myself and would love to read someone else’s poetry for a change!
June 18th, 2008 at 11:15 am
I love poetry, I read it every chance I get.
June 18th, 2008 at 1:09 pm
I don’t read poetry, but every once in a while I’ll come across a great poem in a magazine and wonder why in the world I DON’T read it!
June 18th, 2008 at 1:20 pm
Sounds like a nice read
June 18th, 2008 at 2:54 pm
I use to write poetry quite a bit and my kids are doing alot of that in school. I would love to give them a copy of this!photoquest@bellsouth.net
June 18th, 2008 at 3:21 pm
I love poetry, this would be a nice win, thank you.
June 18th, 2008 at 6:48 pm
I generally only read poetry for school - but this sounds intriguing
June 18th, 2008 at 8:26 pm
I love poetry and haven’t seen Jacobsen’s work for decades.
June 18th, 2008 at 8:50 pm
I have just recently started to read poetry. I would love to read this author.
June 18th, 2008 at 11:09 pm
I love to read the somewhat darker stuff, and would certainly like a chance to get to know this poet! thanks for the chance eh.
June 19th, 2008 at 7:12 am
I like to read poetry.:)
June 19th, 2008 at 1:54 pm
Reading poetry helps me unwind. When I read it, it clears my mind and helps me relax at the end of the day. Pair poetry with a nice glass of wine and I am one happy lady!:-)
June 19th, 2008 at 5:48 pm
count me in
June 19th, 2008 at 5:58 pm
Neruda is one of my favorie poets.
June 20th, 2008 at 12:00 am
I love poetry!
June 20th, 2008 at 1:32 am
I actually do want to read more poetry, but I haven’t known quite where to start, other than picking up random books of poetry. Anyway, this collection sounds wonderful, and I’d love to win it!
June 20th, 2008 at 9:53 am
Love the contests; however the excitement of a minute sounds great
June 20th, 2008 at 10:41 am
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June 20th, 2008 at 2:09 pm
I read poetry in short spurts depending on my mood.
June 20th, 2008 at 2:58 pm
I like this book.
June 20th, 2008 at 3:44 pm
I love poetry, and read it whenever I can. This book would really be great!
June 20th, 2008 at 7:33 pm
Sounds like a interesting book to read
June 20th, 2008 at 10:01 pm
I read a little poetry. I would like to read more and find some good poetry books. I read Poe’s poems.
June 21st, 2008 at 1:59 am
I’m interested in starting to read poetry. I just have to find the time to do so.
June 26th, 2008 at 3:15 pm
I’m a fan of Edgar Allen Poe, but love to read and enjoy discovering new authors.
July 28th, 2008 at 7:34 am
I’ve always loved poetry, even as a child. I enjoy old-fashioned narrative poems, modern poetry, and haiku, among others. As an elementary school teacher and also a librarian, I loved sharing poetry with children. People who say they don’t like poetry just haven’t “found” their right poetry yet! Children are also so surprised when they learn that poetry doesn’t “have to ” rhyme! One favorite poem is “Keep a Poem In Your Pocket” by Beatrice Schenk de Regniers. I also love the poetry of Kali Dakos who writes about children and teachers, learning, and growing up.