I really enjoyed this book. I've been looking for something similar to help expand my skills and this was absolutely perfect to achieve my goals.

Some eloquent phrases, including these two (from different poems) that seem to bookend a single day quite nicely:
"In the distance, the crowing of early dawn."
"This desert sunset turns the sea to wine."

This book contains poetry, but also a section of short stories seemingly intended as parables, and another section of autobiographical anecdotes. I didn't see much connection between the sections, so they ended up feeling disjointed. I feel the author would have been better served by turning these into three separate books, and then expanding on each. The poetry resonated the most with me. There is a strong religious thread through much of the book, particularly in the poetry segment. I found this interesting to watch for and consider as I read through the book.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this eARC for unbiased review.

This was an enjoyable collection to me because it felt really personal. I felt as though I had a window into some of the author's truly intimate moments. The poetry was smooth and the prose was really interesting because it took me to specific locations I've never been, and I felt as though I got to visit too. Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this

Thank you, NetGalley, for allowing me to read this book and give others my input ✨️

This collection of poetry and prose is a work of art. Like most poetry books or artwork on canvas, it can be great to some and not so much to others.
For me personally, nothing in Gary's book really stood out. There aren't any lines that I highlighted that I would remember and quote forever.
However, there wasn't anything in the book that I didn't like either. The flow of each paragraph that I read had beauty to it. Like I said, work of art, art's just different for everyone.

Solid three stars for Meditations at Midnight ⭐️⭐️⭐️

”𝘐 𝘴𝘢𝘸 𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘺 𝘣𝘶𝘪𝘭𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴, 𝘴𝘰𝘰𝘵-𝘤𝘰𝘭𝘰𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘸𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘴,
𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘪𝘮𝘢𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘥 𝘧𝘢𝘤𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦
𝘐 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘮𝘦𝘦𝘵.“

There was little that stood out about this book, however I felt calm while reading this…

“𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘰𝘰𝘮 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘴𝘪𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘵, 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘢 𝘴𝘯𝘰𝘸-𝘤𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘤𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘺, 𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘴 𝘪𝘧 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘣𝘺 𝘤𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘭𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵.”

"Mediations at Midnight" by Gary Jansen invites readers into a realm where silence speaks volumes and the mind finds solace in the depths of the night. Jansen's book is a poignant exploration of the transformative power of meditation, particularly when practiced during the stillness of midnight.

One of the most striking aspects of this book is its ability to transport readers to a place of introspection and contemplation. Through beautifully crafted prose, Jansen guides us through various meditative practices, encouraging us to embrace the quietude of midnight as a gateway to profound self-discovery. Whether you're a seasoned practitioner or new to meditation, Jansen's gentle guidance makes this journey accessible to all.

Each chapter of "Meditations at Midnight" is imbued with wisdom drawn from a diverse range of spiritual traditions, from Christian mysticism to Eastern philosophy. Jansen skillfully weaves together these insights, creating a tapestry of spiritual wisdom that transcends any single tradition. As a result, readers are invited to explore meditation from a holistic perspective, free from dogma or rigid doctrine.

Furthermore, Jansen's personal anecdotes and reflections add depth and authenticity to the text, making it feel like a heartfelt conversation with a trusted friend. His vulnerability and honesty create a sense of intimacy that allows readers to connect with the material on a deeply personal level.

Overall, "Meditations at Midnight" is a profound and illuminating book that offers invaluable guidance for anyone seeking to deepen their meditation practice or explore the mysteries of the inner self. It is a testament to the transformative power of silence and a reminder that, even in the darkest hours, the light of awareness shines brightly for those who seek it.

This is a beautiful collection of poetry and prose that you can tell came straight from the heart of the author!

I found this a balance of both prose and snippets on the mysteries of life.
It makes a great read that requires a bit of reflection and you cannot help but want to read more.
Thanks Netgalley for the eARC.

thank you for allowing me to review this book!

unfortunately, the writing wasn't engaging to me and i didn't quite understand the meaning behind all the metaphors, which made it hard to enjoy.

Meditations at Midnight: Poetry & Prose is an exquisite collection that transcends the boundaries of ordinary literature, inviting readers on a profound journey of self-discovery and introspection. Jansen skillfully navigates the depths of the human experience, illuminating the beauty found within life’s darkest moments. From the very first page, Jansen’s language captivates the imagination. Each poem is a gem, shimmering with raw honesty and unfiltered emotion. It inviting readers to delve into the complexities of love, loss, and the human condition. Jansen’s words have the ability to speak directly to the soul. Whether exploring themes of longing and desire or delving into the mysteries of faith and spirituality, his writing is both profound and accessible, offering solace and inspiration to readers from all walks of life. Meditations at Midnight: Poetry & Prose is a masterpiece of modern literature, destined to become a timeless classic. Gary Jansen’s magnificent talent shines brightly in this collection, offering readers a glimpse into the depths of the soul and reminding us all of the transformative power of art and language.

I loved the cover of this book, and also the title. For myself though, I did not find meditations, I mostly found questions. I just could not bond with the poetry in this book. I thank NetGalley and Loyola Press for the advance read.

Thank you NetGalley for the chance to read and review this.

Overall, this fell flat and bored me and the book didn't go particularly well with the title.

I finished Meditations at Midnight in one sitting, not because it is relatively short, but because I legitimately did not want to put it down. It’s a collection of poetry and prose in a variety of styles and tones: dreamlike, somber, mysterious, whimsical, but always thought-provoking. One little story had me laughing, a moment later a poem left me feeling wistful, and another story kind of gave me the creeps. Though I cannot visualize, Gary Jansen’s descriptions of everything from sunsets to people were intricate and vivid enough that I had as clear a picture as I possibly could, and that’s no small feat! 

As the book progresses, there are more and more mentions of God, prayer, and the like. I’m not at all religious but I was raised in religion. For me, reading these bits felt like I was observing something from long ago, but from a different angle. I didn’t mind it at first, but as I said, it seemed as though it came up more frequently the more I read, so it did start to throw me off. Then it occurred to me that there was no mention of the influence religion obviously has on Janson’s work in the description of the book, and I think that might bother some people. From what I can tell, Loyola Press is a religious publishing house, so that could be a clue, but I didn’t know this until after I read the book and it’s not reasonable to expect people to have this knowledge. 

That aside, this really is a lovely little collection of stories and poems (with a gorgeous cover to boot). I’ve been over here living life thinking poetry wasn’t for me and with this book, Gary Jansen has helped me realize that poetry really is for everyone. I just had to keep looking for the stuff that works for me and now I feel inspired to really give poetry a chance!

I’m not sure the description does the book justice. Poetry books seldom do, but this one was particularly disengaged from the contents of the book.
This short collection comprises poems and very short stories that have to do with religion and travel, occasionally both.
Decent, but didn’t wow me in any way, except for one clever line. But then again, it only maybe forty-five minutes to read, so … Thanks Netgalley.

This truly is a meditative read about the mysteries of our lives. The things we do not talk about with others and realisations that affect us more than one would think. It is a collaboration of poetry and prose, many of these works will have you pausing and thinking about what you've read before you can move on. Lot's of quotable lines that will stick with the reader. A quick and thought provoking collection.

This is a small book of poetry and prose about life's lessons and observances, memories glad and sad. You will find pages where you might laugh, nod in agreement or perhaps shed a tear. It can be read in one sitting or read a little at a time to contemplate, meditate and journal if you enjoy doing that.

I was not familiar with Mr. Jansen or his other writings before I read this book. I do enjoy jumping into some smaller works of authors who are unknown to me and I did enjoy his style of writing. So my only complaint would be that the description for this book did not indicate how much some of his writing would be influenced by his relationship with God. If that is your target audience, I would say they will enjoy the book. But some people's history with the church would mean this would not be the book for them. The description should have been clear that some of his writings would be about the church and his faith and people could then decide whether to read the book or not.

Thank you NetGalley and Loyola Press for a copy of this ARC to review.

Meditations and Midnight include very descriptive, long, and thought out pieces. While I didn't resonate with some of these, I can appreciate the thought and skill that goes into writing these poems. If you enjoy longer pieces, you'll enjoy this collection. Thank you to NetGalley and Loyola Press for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Poems and stories perfect for reading at night before bed.

I received this as an advanced reader copy from NetGalley for an honest review.

I really enjoyed the way that poetry and prose were intertwined in this, and I don't normally feel that way. I think that I ended up liking the prose portions best.

"Meditations at Midnight" takes readers on journey of emotions through poetry and prose that will leave you laughing, leave you dreaming, and leave you in all the emotions. Reading will feel like listening to an old friend while learning about their life through imagery and allusions. This would be the perfect book for those who want to devour words and others who like to drink them slowly.