I absolutely loved this poetry collection! I'm not usually a poetry reader but I really liked the different themes these poems fell into as well as the encouragement for reflection. I started a little journal while reading these poems based on my feelings and thoughts and it gave me a new appreciation not only towards what it means to be happy and love others, but also how to use poetry to assist in my journaling!

This is a thoughtful poetry anthology about appreciating and finding happiness in the smaller everyday moments of life.

I don't typically read a lot of poetry, but I really enjoyed this collection of poems. While not every one struck a chord with me, the overall message of the anthology did and I found some new favorites, as well.

The poems are a reflection on the importance of kindness every day and how a small thing can have a large impact. A lot of them focus on everyday moments, like appreciating nature, spending time with family, or doing chores, and bringing love and gratitude to those moments.

I really appreciated the sentiment behind these poems and found myself thinking of moments in my everyday life that I could stop and appreciate or approach with more gratitude.

A collection of poems that look at the endeavor of considering kindness in our relationships.

Overall, I felt like this was an interesting collection, but I don't think it entirely succeeded in bringing forth the ideology of the book. Some felt very standard in their execution, not necessarily centering on the theme.

I liked it, but I expected something different.

Thank you so much for the ARC!

The Path to Kindness was a marvellous read following a time of great uncertainty. It reminds us to be a little more empathetic and human - no matter the situation. I thought the catalogue of poems was curated beautifully. The poem that stuck most with me after reading was "Kindness" by Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer.

Honest opinion: I don't read much poetry, but this book has influenced me to read more!

This book was such a lovely read. I enjoyed reading several pages each day until i finished it, and the cover is beautiful!! The poems included in this book have such a large variety and it was so nice to read them as each one was different from the last. i also thoroughly enjoyed how simple yet effective some of them were!

These poems were very sweet and positive. They were fun and hopeful, unlike a lot of other poetry that I've read. There were some poems I really loved and I would recommend this.

I read Crews’ How to Love the World: Poems of Gratitude and Hope anthology during last year’s A to Z Challenge and loved it. So I knew I had to read this one when I saw it on NetGalley. And this book lives up to all its expectations, and more!

Each included poem is precious, unique, tugging-at-heart-strings, and so very beautiful. It is obvious that Crews has given much thought not only to the selection of the poems but also to how they are ordered in the book and also kind-of-grouped between the many reflective pauses across the book. Each of these poems, by themselves, and as a whole, show us how everyday matters, be it in the mundane routines or the things and people that surround us each day, and the unexpected as well.

Between the lovely poems that resonate through the power and beauty of their words, and the reflective, thought-provoking pauses and exercises, this book is a treasure-chest of joy and of ways to connect, with ourselves and with others. Don’t forget to read the foreword by Danusha Laméris, as well as the reading group questions and discussion topics for a few selected poems at the end of the book. Poet biographies as part of the backmatter are an extra bonus!

I started highlighting poems on my e-reader and then stopped when I realized I will end up marking almost the whole book. And I have already started using the reflective pauses to write, and to journal. Most likely some of those results will show up here on the blog soon, as a post or a poem.

Perfect for dipping into when you need to take a breather, and anytime else as well.

And that cover! Gorgeous, isn’t it?

In Summary
Haven’t I said it all already? Worth adding it to the home library and makes for a wonderful and thoughtful gift for just about anyone.

Source: Digital review copy from NetGalley

The Path to Kindness has a unique voice. The prose was emotional, and the flow was well-paced. I don't think I was the target demographic for these poems, so they weren't quite as impactful for me, but I can see they were well-written.

Poetry can be very hit or miss for me, and unfortunately most of this book was a BIG MISS. I found the subject matter to be much too mundane and the writing was quite amateurish. I want to be romanced by the promise of poetry, not read about laundry.

An interesting idea, but a boring read.

The Path to Kindness: Poems of Connection and Joy – James Crews – (2022)

The first noticeable thing about this great poetry collection is the beautifully designed cover! Amid the crisis of the Covid-19 pandemic, the intensity of social, political, and racial unrest in the U.S., a haven of love, humility, hope and peace can be found within these pages. James Crews is a muti-award winning author/poet and editor his work has been featured in several notable publications including the NYT, Boston Globe, Washington Post, and NPR.

This large comprehensive anthology features over one hundred poems with various themes contributed by poets from all walks of life— both famous and lesser-known, with mini-bio’s included. Along with stories and poems about Crews own life, he has added “Reflective Pauses” with complete editorial and poetic insight, meditative self-care with stillness and letting go of nervous energy, compassion and empathy, effective listening, and more. In addition, readers might gain a perspective of what Crews writing workshops (with co-founder Danusha Lameris) might be like.

It was a given that many poems included the common elements of nature: the warmth of the sun or the light of the moon, wind/ breeze, plants, trees, and animals. -- “The weight of grief, held in the palm of a hand, determined to love again.” (The Thing Is: Ellen Bass). – (Thank You: Ross Gay) – (The Heartbeat of My Unborn Child: Heather Lanier) -- “The childhood swimming pool installed by his father symbolized his love for his children and also rebirth.” (The Pool: James Crews).
A favorite and powerful poem in this collection was: (Coniferous Fathers: Michael Kieber-Diggs). In the poem Kieber-Diggs reflects a new “folklore” narrative of Fatherhood, where there is no Johnny Appleseed or Atticus Finch, or La-Z-Boy Dad’s reading newspapers; no football, basketball, or other sports. Instead, father’s find the strength to love their children with an unconditional love that their own fathers could not provide for them.

This book is the second volume in a series released after “How to Love The World: Poems of Gratitude and Hope” (2021). In addition, Crews received the Cowles Poetry Prize for “Telling My Father” (2017). He lives with his husband in rural Vermont. **With thanks to Storey Publishing via NetGalley for the DDC for the purpose of review.

This is a thoughtful poetry anthology about appreciating and finding happiness in the smaller everyday moments of life.

I don't typically read a lot of poetry, but I really enjoyed this collection of poems. While not every one struck a chord with me, the overall message of the anthology did and I found some new favorites, as well.

The poems are a reflection on the importance of kindness every day and how a small thing can have a large impact. A lot of them focus on everyday moments, like appreciating nature, spending time with family, or doing chores, and bringing love and gratitude to those moments.

I really appreciated the sentiment behind these poems and found myself thinking of moments in my everyday life that I could stop and appreciate or approach with more gratitude.

The author also had a great introduction about what inspired him to put together this collection. After a few select poems, he also has a "Reflective Pause" where he interprets the poem's message and gives some other points to reflect on.

Thanks to Netgalley for the advanced ebook!

It may have just been me, but I had a hard time connecting with the poems. I can't pinpoint what it was. I hope they bring joy to other readers somewhere!

What a lovely collection of poems! The Path to Kindness is definitely a book to be savored. I will be returning to this collection again!

The idea behind this book, where each poem is written by a different author with their unique perspective to provide around the same subjects, really appealed to me. To be honest, I found most of these poetry to be boring. The themes were all distinct, which may be fantastic if it's done correctly, but I simply felt perplexed and confused since they were all so dissimilar, which made me feel cut off from the collection. Safe to say I had huge expectations for this but was disappointed.

I own the first collection of poetry in this collection, also edited by James Crewes, so I was really excited to see this one coming. It is as delightful as the first. Well chosen, with useful insights for reflection. A soothing balm for the world we're living in.

We have so little of each other, now. So far
from tribe and fire. Only theses brief moments of exchange.
What if they are the true dwelling of the holy, these
fleeting temples we make together when we say, "Here,
have my seat," "Go ahead - you first," "I like your hat."

-So ends the first poem in this new collection gathered by James Crews. Danusha Lameris's "Small Kindnesses" set the tone for a sensitive, thought provoking, and timely reading that should be savored and reread. The predecessor to this volume "How to Love the World" sit on my desk with highlighting and scribbled notes. This volume is destined to achieve the same well-worn and well-loved state.

Thanks to NetGalley and Storey Publishing for making an advance copy of this title available for an honest review.

Really enjoyed this. Especially reading before bed when I wanted to read but was too tired to focus on a novel.

What a joyful collection of poems. I very much enjoyed this collection and especially loved the ‘writing and reflection’ breaks throughout the book. This book has been carefully thought out and creates an immersive experience where a book group or class can get more involved especially with the questions at the end of the book. A thoroughly recommended read for anyone who enjoys poetry.

This poetry collection came to me at an important moment in my life, and I think many readers will be able to find solace in the words this collection contains. After two years of a pandemic in a world facing conflict and struggle in unprecedented amounts, many of us find ourselves lost, sad, and uncertain about the future. This collection serves as a much-needed reminder that kindness, happiness, and peace can be found in the smallest of interactions, the most mundane moments of life, and the tiniest of things. With 100 different poems and many prompts for reflection, there is something that every reader will resonate with.

Rating: 3.5/5
(Gifted a copy on NetGalley in exchange for a review)

“The Path to Kindness: Poems of Connection and Joy” is an interesting, if occasionally unsteady, anthology. Ranging in topics from parenthood to nature, most center on the themes of relationships and the joys found in them. While most of the poems are lovely, there is no division of topics or themes within the book and the order can be a bit jarring at times. It’s a real shame because the variety of ideas and insights is lovely and can be worth it to a devoted reader.