ESCAPE FROM THE PLANET CROUTON. POEMS BY WAYNE F. BURKE.

                            

In title alone that should be a selling point, then when you consider the strength in Wayne's lines you know you certainly cannot miss.

In Wayne's newest collection published by Luchador Press we as always are handed great humor with harsh truths only the way this excellent poet can pen them.

As we are given a view of the past in writes like Witness, where a gruff uncle chases away some Jehovah’s Witnesses. 

The writes in this book move quickly and connect easily and in being a fan of Wayne’s writing this should come as no surprise for those familiar with his work.

A personal favorite of mine in this collection is Poets, 

A write that's to me speaks the truth of the best readers and critics are not fellow poets 

But people who do not read poetry as a fellow co worker does in this write.

Giving an honest opinion of his work.

It’s the grit in Wayne's work I admire the most he gives you his truth straight without regard 

to whom it may offend and most importantly tells a story.

The Human Race is another write that just deeply connects as it shows how life is when times are bad and nothing in these lines is sugar coated in the least.

I Write for the Factory Workers, is a true gem of this collection in my opinion.

“The bums,

The burn-outs

The renegades who 

Left town and never returned;”

Those opening lines are damn near perfect in my opinion.

The grit of this collection is fantastic and refreshing as it is honest in its delivery.

The pages are lived fully by the writer and it shows and that is something I truly respect.

Wayne's book is certainly a must have for fans of true poetry that has a fantastic edge.

I highly recommend this book.

Pick yourself a copy on the link below until next time keep drinking and reading.

https://www.amazon.com/Escape-Planet-Crouton-Wayne-Burke/dp/1950380785

Jumpers from the Belfry Tower : By Ryan Quinn Flanagan

                                          

                    

 Publisher Pski’s Porch 

A book filled with zingers sums what this latest collection is as my friend delivers in spades with that often out of the blue sort of humor that is truly his trademark.

As in penning this review I am sure my brother is penning another book as Ryan is truly one of the most prolific writers I know.

As this collection starts out strong with Confusion is the Only Form of Communication.

“But most the time 

  I just like to be misunderstood 

  and misunderstood 

  In kind”

To me that is a classic line and I  believe truly describes my friend perfectly.

Ryan as always easily shifts gears between humor to deeper cuts like in

Raining Men and Women and Children Every So Often.

A poem that truly got me,  it is pain filled and shows great courage in it’s honesty.

I know my friend always writes to entertain but I am a huge fan of when he goes deep.

And in being a writer as well I truly respect how far from easy that truly is.

The writings in this collection are incredibly fast and hit like a sledgehammer.

And well paced as  it keeps you laughing and thinking throughout.

In another favorite Ryan pens a fantastic write that knowing the man behind the page I had to laugh and agree with.

It’s Raining Pink Slips, cracked me up as I could imagine sharing a drink with my friend and his response to an annoying person in a bar being just that quick.

As his disdain for most folks I share myself.

The best writers always make you feel as though you know them and from both reading and knowing the man I can truly say when you pick a copy of this book you are truly getting the best of my friend.

Jumpers from the Belfry Tower is yet again proof that not only is Ryan extremely prolific but also incredibly gifted when it comes
to that page.

A favorite of mine in this collection is The Trick is They Toast the Bun, 

Which sums up the day to day grind of work too me perfectly

“Doing something useless

  for someone worthless 

  until we can get back

   to the bottle 

   again”

This book fires on all cylinders and keeps you interested until the very end.

Ryan is a master at what he does and it is clearly shown with every book he puts out he clearly shows no intention of slowing down.

And for readers and fans like myself we are eternally grateful for that.

Please do yourself a favor and pick yourself up a copy today.

Until next time keep drinking and reading.

Cheers 

https://www.amazon.com/Jumpers-Belfry-Tower-Quinn-Flanagan/dp/1948920174

Leaving Las Vegas Poems By Ryan Quinn Flanagan.

Publisher

Whiskey City Press

In the return to the Vegas Poems series Ryan Quinn Flanagan again proves that there is no poet today as prolific as him or as consistently entertaining.

This collection is fast and extremely well crafted.

And paired with fantastic photography from his wife Shona. 

You have what I consider to be a perfect book from start to finish.

From unmistakable humor that is truly Ryan's signature.

We are taken along with the writer to view Sin City as only he can.

With writes like Beer Pong at Harrah's which cracked me up to West Coast IPA.

Where Ryan describes hipster beer to a T, and shows exactly why you should avoid it at all costs.

The thing I love about this series is how fun and personal it is.

It’s like hanging out with great friends as you can truly get the sense you are actually there.

This party of a book continues with Girls-2-UR-Room.

A favorite of mine as my brother will fully understand why.

As he has told me.

"In Vegas there are more hookers than parking spaces."

Which really makes me want to visit Vegas.

And as always Ryan hits it out of the park with titles in writes like.

Hummingbirds Look Different in the Desert 

As even UTB gets a mention as that humor and heart always shines through so clearly.

The Vegas books always deliver and this one again sets a standard that I am extremely proud to have at Whiskey City.

Impersonators at the House of Blues.

Cracked me up for knowing my brother as I do and the story behind this.

It always gives me a laugh how he truly enjoys calling people out on their bullshit.

As an annoying ass singer in a grunge tribute band was lucky he didn't encounter the man I know away from the page.

This book is a fast read and moves perfectly from start to finish.

No matter if you have read the previous installments or not this book stands on its own as a fantastic edition.

One of my favorite writes in the book is Thunderstorm in the Desert.

A write that just captures the peace of sharing a meal and some great drinks with the one you love. 

As the environment around you is in utter chaos over a thunderstorm.

As I have told this outstanding writer I call my brother before.

Reading his work is like sitting down and going through great memories with an old friend.

And when a book leaves wanting for more you have truly crafted a great book.

And Leaving Las Vegas Poems is just that a great work from a truly one of a kind writer.

I highly recommend this book.

Until next time keep drinking and reading.



https://www.amazon.com/Leaving-Vegas-Ryan-Quinn-Flanagan/dp/1688932461

The Memory of Her. by Matt Amott

Publisher
Epic Rites Press

In my time of doing reviews I have had the great fortune of reading some outstanding poets.

And after reading The Memory of Her by Matt Amott I am grateful I continue to do these reviews.

Matt’s work is like a great album with the scratches that add such beautiful character to every line of this outstanding collection.

His work is fast and sharp as a straight razor in it’s humor and heart.

From early writes like Insomniac that deals with a subject I can certainly identify with.

Matt shows the truth of relationships on the rocks with great wit and a true voice of an absolutely fantastic poet.

As in later writes such as The Silent Treatment once had me laughing as you can easily visualize the poet in this situation Matt easily connects and that's what the best poets do with ease.

To Ride Eternal is a beautiful and haunting tribute and a personal favorite of mine.

This book flows with ease and will have you yearning for more as this collection is a must for any true fan of poetry and also perfect for someone who claims not to be a fan of poetry.

As this book truly has it all from the perfect mix of humor and sadness with great soul.

The best poetry to me is like music and much like a great old soul record or blues album this collection is a true gem that needs to be read.

The book closes out with Unwelcome Inspiration which is definitely a perfect write to close this collection.

Matt Amott hasn't written a good book with The Memory of Her from start to finish, Matt has written a great book and certainly in my opinion one of the best books I have read in awhile.

I cannot say enough good things about this fine collection from Epic Rites Press.

But I can say you truly are missing out if you do not pick yourself up a copy today.

This book definitely is one you will read again and again.

Until next time keep drinking and reading.



https://www.amazon.com/Memory-Her-Matt-Amott/dp/1926860675

Sex Drugs & Poetry Review By Ryan Quinn Flanagan

Publisher 

Whiskey City Press 

I cannot think of a more fitting inaugural release for Whiskey City Press than John Patrick Robbins' Sex, Drugs & Poetry.  As the title suggests, this book has everything.  From straight laughers with such fantastic humour, to personal revelations and eternal truths, this book is straight killer all the way through! Not a single shred of filler.  And the flow is absolutely perfect like putting on a classic record.  Sex, Drugs & Poetry is John Patrick Robbins at his best and simply a must have book.  A true classic and such a great read for me!  The mad editor is a super talented writer first and foremost which is on full display in Sex, Drugs & Poetry.  Do yourself a favour and pick up a copy today.

 -Ryan Quinn Flanagan 

Please check out sex drugs and poetry: 

http://www.lulu.com/shop/john-patrick-robbins/sex-drugs-poetry/paperback/product-24062336.html

The Journey Home. By Bruce Hodder

       

Publisher

Whiskey City Press

It wasn't so long ago I first came across Bruce Hodder’s work as a submission to UTB. 

I was floored with the wit and fantastic humor, and it didn't take me long to know I wanted to publish a book by this talented poet.

And thus began the journey no pun intended.

I knew from Bruce's ability this would be a pleasure to read and even now looking back on this fine book.

I can honestly say I was floored.

The Journey Home, is a fast and extremely well polished book.

As it tells an overall story that flows to perfection that is a quality I admire in a poet.

From writes like Odious once easily connects and makes you feel part of the scene.

To others such as Funeral once showcases that humor that is so uniquely Bruce.

This book will keep you reading and leave you wanting for more.

Particular favorites of mine include Our Mate Boozer, once again so easily showcases Bruce's ability to draw you in making that page come to life within the mind.

Bruce displays great heart and an ability to easily switch styles once definitely holds the reader's interest as it did my own.

And before you know it this book comes to a close with And the Conclusion.

Bruce Hodder has easily shown he is a poet to be respected yet can easily laugh at himself and that in my book is what the best poets all can do.

The only thing left to say is pick up a copy today and take the journey for yourself.

I can promise you won't be disappointed.

The Journey Home is not a book, it is the book to read.

Until next time, keep reading and drinking.

http://www.lulu.com/shop/bruce-hodder/the-journey-home/paperback/product-24163986.html

The Road To Hell Is Paved With Writers . By Ryan Quinn Flanagan

                                   Publisher

                           Whiskey City Press

The Road To Hell Is Paved With Writers.

I can remember hearing that title when my good friend Ryan Quinn Flanagan told me about the book he was working on.

And thinking to myself, fuck now there is a great title.

Little did I know the book it would become.
Ryan is many things including extremely prolific.
But in his newest book he takes a turn.

As always there is razor sharp wit and heart but this book goes extremely deep as knowing the man beyond the page has shown me many of the characters and events these poems were inspired by.

And this is a monster of a collection.
Every write stands out in its own way as Ryan is definitely in top form.
As In poems like.

A  View Better than a Dog's Ass.

"I like that she had a view better than a dog's ass.

The way she lived on the beach like the crabs.
And whenever we stayed at my place,

I could only think of the view.

The simple way the tide came in and carried all the worst of you back out.

I felt at least three years younger when I was there."
This book is filled with what is Ryan's true staple humor and heart with a truly original voice.

To other writes such as Among Friends, once caught me.
And captured a conversation and moment perfectly.

This book was like reading a letter from a great friend on one of your darkest days and bringing those good times back in a flood.

This is a book for writers which is perfectly displayed in a write I am a huge fan of titled
Nubbin.

Once does what in my opinion great works do.

It makes that page bleed without remorse.
This is not an easy read for it's pain bleeds through.
And shows a side we seldom mention with Ryan.

The ability to go deep beyond the humor for as I know and understand all too well great humor often can come from dark places.

The Road To Hell Is Paved With Writers is not a good book, it is a great book.

Fun yet deep and a hundred percent the man I have gotten to know as a true friend.

The best writers make it look easy and in this book that flows perfectly Ryan does just that.

The book closes with One Man at His Machine.

A true and brutally honest view of a writer viewing a much younger kid and hoping to God he can find something outside of the emptiness of the page.

I know Ryan as we speak is probably working on another book this very second.
But I do hope he takes a break and realizes what he has done with this book.

No matter if you are new to Ryan's work or a long term fan this book is a must for your collection.


Keep drinking and reading.


https://www.amazon.com/Road-Hell-Paved-Writers/dp/1074748654/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=The+road+to+hell+is+paved+with+writers&qid=1562449840&s=gateway&sr=8-3