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A Book of Thanks
104 pages, Hardcover
First published August 1, 1993
6 people want to read
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November 11, 2021
A Book Of Thanks (1993) by Helen Steiner Rice is a lovely collection of poetry.
The collection has numerous poems about giving thanks and having gratitude. There is four different sections including one about holidays. This book was compiled by Virginia J. Ruehlmann who gave a lovely introduction for the book. I love the message of the book of being thankful and grateful and giving thanks to brighten someone’s day and show your appreciation for the things they do for you. So beautiful. Steiner Rice’s writing style is so gorgeous and really accessible. A very enjoyable collection with stunning paintings throughout to accompany the poems and the palms which start each section. Those paintings are a feast for the eyes. Looking at the paintings and reading the poems is deeply relaxing and a really nice experience.
I do find that this book is more suitable to someone who believes in God and who believes in the Christmas story. I am an Atheist and Humanist so I definitely found it a bit harder to relate to than the previous book by the poet I read. The poet was religious so that was fine but to be honest I did feel at quite a few points that non-belief was being made out to be a negative so that was uncomfortable to read. I don’t mind a good preach but when you feel like the poet is saying you couldn’t have these qualities without believing and you know that’s false then it’s uncomfortable in your reading experience. And uncomfortable not in a good way! 🙂 I think the book could have been a bit more inclusive in that aspect. It was a pity because otherwise it’s a beautiful collection.
Very good read.
The collection has numerous poems about giving thanks and having gratitude. There is four different sections including one about holidays. This book was compiled by Virginia J. Ruehlmann who gave a lovely introduction for the book. I love the message of the book of being thankful and grateful and giving thanks to brighten someone’s day and show your appreciation for the things they do for you. So beautiful. Steiner Rice’s writing style is so gorgeous and really accessible. A very enjoyable collection with stunning paintings throughout to accompany the poems and the palms which start each section. Those paintings are a feast for the eyes. Looking at the paintings and reading the poems is deeply relaxing and a really nice experience.
I do find that this book is more suitable to someone who believes in God and who believes in the Christmas story. I am an Atheist and Humanist so I definitely found it a bit harder to relate to than the previous book by the poet I read. The poet was religious so that was fine but to be honest I did feel at quite a few points that non-belief was being made out to be a negative so that was uncomfortable to read. I don’t mind a good preach but when you feel like the poet is saying you couldn’t have these qualities without believing and you know that’s false then it’s uncomfortable in your reading experience. And uncomfortable not in a good way! 🙂 I think the book could have been a bit more inclusive in that aspect. It was a pity because otherwise it’s a beautiful collection.
Very good read.
Displaying 1 of 1 review