Laugh out loud funny! I could read Kennedy’s poems over and over again! Very fun quick read. I recommend his other books; Love poems for Anxious People and Love Poems for Married People.

4.5

John Kenney’s quick little ‘Love Poems’ books have been a bright spot in my reading calendar over the last few years. While not quite a ‘poet’ Kenney never ceases to connect with his audience in an unexpected way.

I laughed out loud at a number of this poems over the years and have enjoyed giving these little books to friends and family throughout the years, especially for stocking stuffers. He has a wonderful comedic voice.

When this one came up for review, I was excited to read it because I know that he has rarely written a poem that I don’t find humor in, in at least one way or another. And these books are short and quick to read as they are poetry, you can easily pass some times quickly reading through this collection.

Summary
In the spirit of his Love Poems collections, as well as his wildly popular New Yorker pieces, New York Times bestseller and Thurber Prize-winner John Kenney returns with a hilarious new collection of poetry–for office life.

With the same brilliant wit and biting realism that made Love Poems for Married People, Love Poems for People with Children, and Love Poems for Anxious People such hits, John Kenney is back with a brand new collection that tackles the hilarity of life in the office. From waiting in line for the printer and revising spreadsheet after spreadsheet, to lukewarm coffee, office politics, and the daily patterns of your most annoying–and lovable–coworkers, Kenney masterfully captures the warmth and humor of working the 9 to 5 in today’s modern era. (summary from Goodreads)

Review
This collection of poems is geared toward corporate America and the traditional 9-5 jobs. While this collection might be geared toward ‘business people’, as an educator I still found humor and relatability in these poems and I think anyone who has worked with the public in any way, will find humor in many of these pages.

I think the most relatable poem in this book though was a compilation of poems about Zoom meetings. During a time when Zoom dominates not only work life but home lift and school lift, I think many of us can relate to the humor in the Zoom poems. They are so real and honest and 100% could happen to any of us. I was in a Zoom class for my per-schooler and one of the moms on the Zoom class was CHEWING her kid out and all of us were like ummmmmm mute? So when I read about the wife who yelled at her husband to get the kids out of the fucking room I laughed so hard recalling how awkward and uncomfortable those moments have been.

I think that Kenney has truly been blessed with wit and astute observations in a time when we sorely need humor at our present ‘work’ situations. I loved reading this book and laughing at all the work issues even if it didn’t pertain to me. I mean haven’t we all thought ‘this could have been an email’ while we were listening with our camera off to the Zoom meeting? I know I have and I just love all of Kenney’s humor and honesty at our present situation. This is a great gift to give your work colleagues and friends! They will no doubt find humor in these lines of poetry!

Book Info and Rating
Hardcover, 112 pages

Expected publication: December 1st 2020 by G.P. Putnam’s Sons

ISBN059319070X (ISBN13: 9780593190708)

Free review copy provided by publisher, Putnam, in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and in no way influenced.

Rating: 4.5 stars

Genre: satire, non fiction, poetry

***Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review***
Very timely and fun to read. This book of poetry gives a fresh look at romance in the working age.

The author of several humorous poetry books follows up his "Love Poems for Anxious People" (which came out right in the midst of COVID when literally everyone was anxious) with this volume. While office life isn't like it used to be by any means, these humorous poems will make you laugh and long for those days. Whether its someone who won't take a hint and leave or someone who cooked fish in the microwave, these are all relatable and funny poems. The final poem, about the author's mother, again brings a tear to eye - and after all that funny. I will look forward to whatever Kenney comes up with next.

I was worried that humor about office life would make me weep for the long-ago days of... February, pre-pandemic. Instead, "Love Poems for the Office" reminded me just how hilariously absurd office life is. As Kenney notes, "Shakespeare never used the word 'ping' and neither should you."

Kenney's observations of office life's mundane realities will resonate with literally anyone who's spent 8-hour days in a cubicle (or heaven forbid, an open office plan). Pray for the person who took the Chobani yogurt from the shared staff refrigerator.

Beyond the office life we recognize before COVID-19 was a thing, Kenney reflects our current sheltering-in-place work scenario perfectly. My first out-loud giggle moment came early in the book, courtesy of this line:

No one cares.
It's Zoom.
Zoom is from the Greek word for
no one gives a fuck anymore.