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Contents of a Minute by Josephine Jacobsen - Book Review & Giveaway

Tuesday, 17 June 2008, 12:18 | Category : Book Review and Giveaway, Poetry, chapbooks
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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 This 29-page collection is filled with recently discovered and previously unpublished poetry and is a great collection whether you’re just discovering Jacobsen’s work or you’re already a fan.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.

3 Ways to Win

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.

54 Comments for “Contents of a Minute by Josephine Jacobsen - Book Review & Giveaway”

  1. 1Cheryl Larimer

    wrote on 17 June 2023 at 12:32

    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.

  2. 2victoria lynch

    wrote on 17 June 2023 at 12:56

    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.

  3. 3Tara M

    wrote on 17 June 2023 at 13:03

    I would love this. I was a big poetry fan in college. I’d love to get back to it. Thanks for the opportunity!

  4. 4Louise A Brouillette

    wrote on 17 June 2023 at 13:24

    This looks wonderful

  5. 5Susan Hoffman

    wrote on 17 June 2023 at 14:08

    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.

  6. 6christopher h

    wrote on 17 June 2023 at 16:44

    i don’t read a lot of poetry, but would love to read more

  7. 7catherine copeland

    wrote on 17 June 2023 at 16:56

    i have always loved poetry. It is a genre of writing I wish I read more

  8. 8Donna

    wrote on 17 June 2023 at 17:03

    I love poetry, the best is what I learned in school years ago.

  9. 9Gina Stratos

    wrote on 17 June 2023 at 17:07

    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

  10. 10Michele

    wrote on 17 June 2023 at 19:10

    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
    [email protected]

  11. 11Elizabeth Mays

    wrote on 17 June 2023 at 19:19

    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.

  12. 12Barbara Baker

    wrote on 17 June 2023 at 19:23

    I can’t write poetry worth the darn, but boy oh boy I love reading Silverstiens books. They are fantastic.

    Would love to win!!!

  13. 13ruth

    wrote on 17 June 2023 at 19:36

    Unique poetry books such as this one appeals to me greatly. There are several American and British poets that I always enjoyed.

  14. 14s snyder

    wrote on 17 June 2023 at 19:57

    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!

  15. 15Melissa Reeder

    wrote on 17 June 2023 at 21:07

    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!

  16. 16Alessandra

    wrote on 17 June 2023 at 21:33

    I’ve always been a fan of poetry. I wish I could discover this new author, whihc sounds great.
    Thank you for the opportunity!

  17. 17gautami tripathy

    wrote on 17 June 2023 at 21:57

    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…

  18. 18Cindi

    wrote on 17 June 2023 at 21:57

    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

  19. 19Desmond

    wrote on 18 June 2023 at 0:50

    I like poetry but it’s hard to find good poetry these days.

  20. 20mannequin

    wrote on 18 June 2023 at 6:41

    Yes indeedy I read poetry. Wanna know my favorites? Sylvia Plath and Anne Sexton!
    This book sounds right up my alley. Dark.

  21. 21mannequin

    wrote on 18 June 2023 at 6:42

    I just subscribed for another entry. And of course, for your reviews and lovely little tidbits!

  22. 22Carla Cui

    wrote on 18 June 2023 at 7:32

    I would like to be more exposed to poetry - this would be a great prize!

  23. 23CRYSTLE TELLERDAY

    wrote on 18 June 2023 at 8:11

    COOL BOOK

  24. 24Roger Keeney

    wrote on 18 June 2023 at 8:40

    poetry is the song of the language, and is also the sole of history.

  25. 25Laura

    wrote on 18 June 2023 at 8:48

    I would love to introduce my daughter to poetry early. This book looks like a fantastic one to start that journey.

  26. 26Linda Lansford

    wrote on 18 June 2023 at 9:20

    Sounds like a winner to me

  27. 27Margaret Snyder

    wrote on 18 June 2023 at 11:10

    I write poetry myself and would love to read someone else’s poetry for a change!

  28. 28sarah

    wrote on 18 June 2023 at 11:15

    I love poetry, I read it every chance I get.

  29. 29Barbara Fox

    wrote on 18 June 2023 at 13:09

    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!

  30. 30Angela J

    wrote on 18 June 2023 at 13:20

    Sounds like a nice read

  31. 31Lori Barnes

    wrote on 18 June 2023 at 14:54

    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 [email protected]

  32. 32Liz

    wrote on 18 June 2023 at 15:21

    I love poetry, this would be a nice win, thank you.

  33. 33S

    wrote on 18 June 2023 at 18:48

    I generally only read poetry for school - but this sounds intriguing

  34. 34Wendy

    wrote on 18 June 2023 at 20:26

    I love poetry and haven’t seen Jacobsen’s work for decades.

  35. 35Tonya Froemel

    wrote on 18 June 2023 at 20:50

    I have just recently started to read poetry. I would love to read this author.

  36. 36Kathryn

    wrote on 18 June 2023 at 23:09

    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.

  37. 37Janet

    wrote on 19 June 2023 at 7:12

    I like to read poetry.:)

  38. 38Candra

    wrote on 19 June 2023 at 13:54

    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!:-)

  39. 39mark

    wrote on 19 June 2023 at 17:48

    count me in

  40. 40Ed Nemmers

    wrote on 19 June 2023 at 17:58

    Neruda is one of my favorie poets.

  41. 41chantal paradis

    wrote on 20 June 2023 at 0:00

    I love poetry!

  42. 42moosie

    wrote on 20 June 2023 at 1:32

    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!

  43. 43sarah woods

    wrote on 20 June 2023 at 9:53

    Love the contests; however the excitement of a minute sounds great

  44. 44Ken

    wrote on 20 June 2023 at 10:41

    This sweepstakes has been featured on Sweepstakes Advantage, http://www.sweepsadvantage.com. The Web’s Largest Directory of Free Online Sweepstakes. Good Luck to Everyone!

  45. 45Pamela White

    wrote on 20 June 2023 at 14:09

    I read poetry in short spurts depending on my mood.

  46. 46Yan Tao

    wrote on 20 June 2023 at 14:58

    I like this book.

  47. 47Anita Yancey

    wrote on 20 June 2023 at 15:44

    I love poetry, and read it whenever I can. This book would really be great!

  48. 48Evelyn Murray

    wrote on 20 June 2023 at 19:33

    Sounds like a interesting book to read

  49. 49Veronica Garrett

    wrote on 20 June 2023 at 22:01

    I read a little poetry. I would like to read more and find some good poetry books. I read Poe’s poems.

  50. 50Lily Kwan

    wrote on 21 June 2023 at 1:59

    I’m interested in starting to read poetry. I just have to find the time to do so.

  51. 51Gretchen

    wrote on 26 June 2023 at 15:15

    I’m a fan of Edgar Allen Poe, but love to read and enjoy discovering new authors.

  52. 52Nancy

    wrote on 28 July 2023 at 7:34

    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.

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