Aaron Belz's first collection, The Bird Hoverer, was "masterfully strange" (Boston Review) and "thought-provoking, hilarious, and altogether ori... read full description
reviews
Feb 11, 2012
Fifty-four poems, a flitting free verse. Lovely, Raspberry is Aaron Belz’ second book of poems, the first being a set called The Bird Hoverer. I have not read the first book, but after reading LR I want to, which says something positive about what I’ve read. Provided I’m not delusional. Belz’ accessibility is part of this assertion. It’s easy to read about Alberto V05, Bubba Sparxxx, to the more-subtle, like,
three things
1.
Nothing is as funny
as a summer day
but t More...
three things
1.
Nothing is as funny
as a summer day
but t More...
Aug 31, 2010
Noriyuko 'Pat'
rated it: 
I've downgraded Belz's 'Bird Hoverer' from five to four stars because I have to admit that 'Lovely, Raspberry' is way better. There are only a couple of crappy poems (such as 'regret' which Belz tragically chose to end the collection with) in an otherwise joyous book that extends Belz's wit into areas he's been too timid to tread in the past. The laugh-out-loud hilarity is still there, sure, as in the brilliant 'asking al gore about the muse': regarding the phrase 'kicking against the pricks', B
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Dec 07, 2010
Remy
rated it: 
You expect me to tell you about the interior of the book and connect that to your feelings, but I'd rather tell you about the interior of another book and use that a symbol. By Aaron Belz, the new book of poems, Lovely, Raspberry, is -to quote the blurb on the back- "designed by Dinah Fried". On the cover are smoochy lips or it is a tongue divided, like at Babel Tower or perhaps it is two heads put together to think up a third book unknown to anyone. Full of math word problems and unfi
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(2 people liked it)
Feb 23, 2011
Paul
rated it:
Absolutely! In the past few weeks, I think I’ve read this book about four to seven times. I just keep picking it up. It’s like I just want to hang out with it. Swing in its breezes. There’s a poem in here that has the line: “I bore you and enjoy doing it.” Nothing about this book is boring. In another: “When every word sounds cliché, / each turn of phrase derivative, / that’s when I turn to slapstick / and boorish sexual innuendo.”
There’s a sensitivity to humor here, and to the read More...
There’s a sensitivity to humor here, and to the read More...
May 14, 2011
Peter
rated it:
Sometimes I struggle with the title of "poet" that is given to short-line writing writers. Yet with Aaron Belz, I am comfortable to look up to him as one of my most influential contemporary writers.
His short poems are simple and elementally pleasing. This book is like the perfect cloth to clean the camera lens of today's poetry. Speck-free, that lens of his captures life in this world. Every metaphor is chosen wisely. Every quirky joke is well-deliverd.
Fantastic, sir
His short poems are simple and elementally pleasing. This book is like the perfect cloth to clean the camera lens of today's poetry. Speck-free, that lens of his captures life in this world. Every metaphor is chosen wisely. Every quirky joke is well-deliverd.
Fantastic, sir
Jan 11, 2012
Edward
rated it:
Love this book. Belz is a great poet, a breath of fresh air, doesn't take himself too seriously, but not to the detriment of his poetry which is witty, energetic and often multi-layered. I love reading Belz when I have a twinge of melancholy, because it usually wipes it away. This is a great collection, highly recommended. Plus he's a great guy, friendly and very accessible.
Dec 08, 2010
Josh
rated it:
It's a great book, guys! Super fun! But profound too. It's like walking on clouds and then falling into a pit.
Jan 28, 2011
Michelle
rated it:
While I only really liked this book, I give it an amazing rating because many of the poems made me laugh aloud. Some poems seemed more like exercises to get creativity flowing rather than actual poetry. Belz clearly loves words and wordplay, though I don't understand all the games he plays with the words, I can appreciate much of it.
Mar 07, 2011
Adam
rated it:
Great book that showed me just how far humorous poetry can go in the "serious" world we live in. For a more in-depth recommendation, check out my review from the Rumpus:
http://therumpus.net/2010/08/return-them...
http://therumpus.net/2010/08/return-them...
Nov 29, 2011
Aaron
rated it:
"Lovely! Raspberry! This one is a lot of fun. I've passed around this book, and am glad to have finally gotten it back."
Jul 12, 2010
Aaron
rated it:
I wasn't totally sure about this one. Yet it still managed to change my life?
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