The Path to Kindness

•~Book Review~•
🌾Kindness.
/ˈkʌɪn(d)nəs/

noun -
• the quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate.
• a kind act

Earth. A planet. Home to millions of people. Sorry if I do not know the approximate number of people that inhabit the earth but while walking on the road, have you seen the faces of people that pass you by? What do you see? People with myriad faces. Smiling, talking, sad , happy and so much more. Can you see what goes on inside their hearts? Their minds? In their heads? So much hidden into this little body of ours, incomprehensible to others while everyone of us suffer from something inside.
A little act of kindness.
This. These little tiny acts of compassion is so much more, so much soothing, so much healing. Creating waves of joys and connections, these tiny acts have a huge transcendental power that changes your moments and infact your lives.

The Path To Kindness is collection of poems of Joys and kindness , edited by James Crew. This collection has a rich content endowed with beautiful soul touching poems of various writers like Julia Alvarez, Marie Howe, Ellen Bass, Naomi Shihab Nye, Alberto Ríos, Ross Gay, and Ada Limón, as well as new and emerging voices. Featured Black writers include January Gill O’Neil, Tracy K. Smith, and Cornelius Eady. Native American writers include Kimberly Blaeser, Joy Harjo (current U.S. Poet Laureate), and Linda Hogan. The collection also features international voices, including Canadian poets Lorna Crozier and Susan Musgrave celebrating the joys of kindness and mindfulness. This book of poems comes with journaling prompts, exploration of certain selected poems, book readers guide and introduction to all the contributing writers.
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Each poem in the book has touched my soul. I can't even describe the peace it has given me in my times of heart ache and mental anguish. I am fortunate to discover this book and having read it, this book is going to be one of my favourites all time. I have read several poems twice and thrice and so on , and everytime I have read it, it has soothed my heart and my mind. I cannot thank James Crew, Storey Publishing and Netgalley enough for providing me with the the opportunity to read and review it.

The Path to Kindness is a beautiful book of poetry. Lovingly edited by James Crews, each section includes reflection and writing exercises for those inspired to write their own. There are discussion questions at the end to further study these works. I enjoyed taking a break from my day to sit with a poem or two. I know I’ll enjoy returning to this book in the future.

This is a beautiful book.
With lovely poems and statements that I could really resonate with. A wonderful book that is so emotive that some of these words will stay with me for a long time.

It has a wonderful collection of new and well established poets with varying length so an ideal read to duo in and out of.

** A copy of The Path to Kindness was provided by the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review **

Last year, I read and loved an ARC of How to Love the World. The Path to Kindness is a perfect companion to Crews' previous edited collection. This collection is like a hug - something we all need now. I also particularly appreciated the choice to include some lesser known poets, whose work I am excited to now follow.

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is a beautiful collection! There's a variety of poems centering around themes of connection, joy, and being. All of the poems are fairly short. It makes for a quick and thoughtful read.

Overall a great find and thought-provoking collection.

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.

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.

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.

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.