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

Fist Fighting and Fornication. By David Boski

            

                             

                   
                              Publisher

       

  Holy & intoxicated Publications

The title sums it with this fine collection by poet David Boski.

Boski throws everything at the reader but the kitchen sink and is unapologetic and that in itself is refreshing.

This collection is fast and extremely well crafted.

With writes like  A Scent, once is a harsh yet awesome write where David truly cuts straight  through the bullshit.

Giving a bare bones feel to each and every poem that is original and his own true style.

To other writes such as Warm Whiskey on Cold Dark Nights.

Once sums up a damn fine philosophy.

And is a personal favorite of mine.

A Man Like Her Father.

Definitely explores the dynamics between people with a solid edge and a damn fine twist at the end.

David truly packs a punch with this collection that never slows down or backs off.

To later writes like One Of the Nicest.

Once shows the harsh truth of life and the loss of a good friend and is absolutely great write.

Fist Fighting and Fornication doesn't just capture the reader's attention it is a brutal kick to the teeth.

And a damn fine read.

Boski displays incredible skill here and that is to truly be admired.

I highly recommend ordering yourself a copy.

For this book is definitely a must for anyone who enjoys work with a harsh edge.

Keep reading and drinking.


Pre order through .

johndrobinson@yahoo.co.uk

Hell and High Water by Wolfgang Carstens

                               
                                                Publisher.

                                                Six Ft. Swells

                                

    

 From a perfect introduction written by poet and publisher Todd Cirillo.

This book starts out guns blazing with what I do consider one of the best books I have had the true pleasure of reading in a long while. 

Wolfgang displays that razor sharp wit from the starting gate with writes like.

Slave Lake, 2014.

A write that displays tremendous humor and a determination to stand one's ground literally come hell and high water.

Moving on to writes like, i passed.

Once displays a love between two people on the deepest of levels.

This collection moves extremely quick and will have you turning the pages only yearning for more.

In later writes such as, when Raven is a perfect example of a father's worry over a missing child

And in all truth one of the best poems I have read in awhile. 

Wolfgang can shift gears easily and with expert precision upon his choosing.

His style is personal yet tremendously infused fantastic wit.

Hell and High Water is not a good book it is a great book.

And all the way till it's closing write, strange.

It commands your attention.

Wolfgang is a force unto himself.

I highly recommend picking yourself up a copy today.

As this is truly a one of a kind book.

Keep drinking and reading.

John Patrick Robbins. 

https://www.amazon.com/Hell-High-Water-Wolfgang-Carstens/dp/0985307560

DIFLUCAN by Wayne F. Burke

Publisher 

       BareBackPress

There are poets and then there is Wayne F. Burke.

If you are familiar with this pull no punches writer then you will certainly want to grab a copy of Wayne's newest book from BareBackPress.

DIFLUCAN.

Wayne's style is fast and extremely well crafted.

And from writes early in this collection like
Happy Birthday.

We see a poet that would make Bukowski proud.
And clearly displays a man you do not want to test.

Into other writes like 2.
That show the wisdom of a life lived and the quick witted brilliance of a true poet.

This is a extremely well put together collection.

That moves quickly delivers that brilliant sarcasm and grit Wayne has in spades.

With writes that take us back to better days.
Like Batman.

Once reminds the reader of far more simple times yet still fully displays that signature style.

And further writes like The Ruler.
Which clearly display why I am damn glad to not be a child anymore and the hell of school years.

This collection takes us through the past of one's life growing up.

And is a thoroughly enjoyable read.

Once any true poetry fan will go through this book like a hot knife through butter.

As once you pick this one up you certainly wont want to put this one down.

And as the collection winds down Burke shows no signs of taking his foot off the gas pedal.

And in later writes like Suspect.

He displays that hard edged style I have truly come to admire.

DIFLUCAN is a pull no punches book.

And I will say for any true fan of poetry.
You would be doing your bookshelves a great disservice by not having this title in your collection.

I highly recommend this book once is available on Amazon.

Check it out and get yourself a copy on the link below.

Until next time folks keep drinking and reading.

Cheers.

John Patrick Robbins

https://www.amazon.com/Diflucan-Wayne-F-Burke/dp/192644924X

Spaghetti & Meatballs: Poems for Hot Organs. By Mendes Biondo

Publisher.

Pski's Porch 

From the start of  this book I knew it  was going to be far from you're typical poetry collection .

And after reading I can truly say I wasn't disappointed .
This fun and often abstract poets work shows a true and original voice that often includes fantastic quirky humor with great heart.

Mendes takes the reader along for a ride they will truly will not forget with writes like .

Bye Bye - Fuck you -Bye (I'm a Weird Bastard and Know It

Once fully displays that quirky humor that is definitely a trademark of Mendes and always makes me laugh .

To writes like.

Farewell To Hollywood .

Once shifts gears and shows the heart of a true poet and a truly original emerging voice .

Other favorites include .

Earth's Reasons .

The write packs a hell of a punch and connects on a deep level .
And shows Mendes ability to take turns and risks other poets seldom do.

This book was a fast read for me and I do believe for any poetry fan that enjoys a good mix of humor with a dash of a twisted heart .

This is a book for you .

It's a great read and I highly recommend it to anyone who is a fan of Mendes or new to his work.

For a first collection Mendes has shown he has a true and one of a kind voice.

Pick yourself up a copy .

And keep drinking and reading .

Cheers

Smash & Grab Poems. by Ryan Quinn Flanagan

                               Publisher
                            Weasel Press


For anyone who is a fan of Ryan's work they will always come to expect his fast style and sharp humor once is definitely his trademark and has  drawn so many to his pages over the years.

But what impresses me so very often is a haunting quality and great observations my friend puts into so many writes in this fine collection.

As always the titles jump from the page.
Such as to name a few.
I Am Not Bruce Lee, but I Could Probably Kick Your Ass, once always impresses me with how easily he comes up with such great titles.

To others such as.
You Look like Late Stage Syphilis in a Bathing Suit.

Once if the titles alone don't grab you the lines certainly will.

This book is packed with twists and turns humor abound and heart.
Smash and grab poems is not simply a good book.
It is a great book and one that holds the readers attention to the end.

To one of my favorite poems in this collection Pier Review.
Ryan displays what what few poets can deliver and he does with ease.

And as I am sure upon writing this Ryan is probably finishing up yet another collection to show that he is nowhere near slowing down.

Smash And Grab Poems is a great display of a writer that can take the page wherever he does so choose to go.

And and as a reader it is also a pleasure to tag along for the ride this book is well worth the purchase.

And if you have somehow not read Ryan's work before  then this would certainly be one hell of a introduction.

But seeing how this talented writer has probably penned more damn poems than any other writer I know I truly doubt few have who love poetry have not stumbled upon his work by now.


Smash And Grab Poems is available on Amazon.

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

There are many poets out there but none are as  prolific or damn talented as the man I am honored to call a friend.


Smash And Grab Poems.
Is one hell of a book from truly one hell of a writer.


Keep drinking and reading.


John Patrick Robbins


https://www.amazon.com/Smash-Grab-Poems-Quinn-Flanagan/dp/1948712091