Some Ether by Nick Flynn

Part of the reason I love reading is that you get to bring into the story all the life experiences you've had. Your baggage becomes a part of the work. How you feel about specific topics, like feminism, comes into play when you read a book. Things you may be horrified to read could comfort someone else. This book was like that for me.

I won't go into details, but my childhood was not the easiest or the best thing ever. This book touched my heart in a way that nothing has in a long time. There were poems of situations and feelings that were so familiar to me that I could have written them myself.

It took me a while to get through this book. Not only was it difficult for me to read because of my emotional baggage, it was also one of those books that needs to be savored and studied. It was haunting and wonderful. Nick Flynn does an excellent job putting his thoughts and feelings in the imagery and the overall feeling of the poems he writes. Like any fine piece of literature, you don't want it to be over.

This book reminded me that life is what you make of it. There are choices and actions and consequences. I don't know if that was the author's intention, but that's what I got out of it.

If you're interested in more information about him, I found an interview at the Poems Out Loud website. It's not about this book, but it is still pretty interesting.

I now need something new to read. Preferably light and fun, please! Any suggestions?

Great Expectations: Some Ether by Nick Flynn

This book came as a recommendation by e-mail. If you have a recommendation, e-mail us at nowtakingrequests@gmail.com As you can see, we will actually read your requests.



Some Ether by Nick Flynn was recommended to us by a customer at our library who also happens to be getting married to one of our employees. She claims she has read this book of poems at least 30 times. I was sceptical about this claim and then I realized that I have also read books many times over. I still read my very worn copy of The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle by Avi. I've been reading that one every year since I was in the 4th grade. It's still a great book.



I'm not really into poetry, except for the romantics, funny haikus and children's poetry. I love Shel Silverstein and William Blake. It's an interesting combination, I know. I've also been exposed to some really bad poetry, mostly from boyfriends who can't write poetry, but try really hard.



I have little to no expectations for this book of poetry. I don't know if there is an overall theme. I don't know if he's any good. What I do know is that the cover is blue and white. I like blue. Maybe I'll like this book. Is that too far of a stretch?