4.5 stars. Thank you to Net Galley and W.W. Norton & Company for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. I was introduced to the Poetry Unbound podcast a couple years ago as I wanted to read more poetry, something I had always avoided as I had the belief that I just didn't understand it. It opened a whole new world and helped me to find poets that were accessible and enjoyable. And, Padraig O'Tuama who hosts the podcast and wrote the book is the perfect guide and expert, a lovely, kind, understanding and introspective soul. The book was more of the same - the poem and then his discussion and breakdown of structure and meaning. I did miss the music (it adds so much) from the podcast and also the reading afterwards (I did a mix of reading the book and listening to the audiobook to head it read in Padraig's voice). I highly recommend this book and added the audiobook and pocast.

A wonderful collection, especially for anyone who is already a fan of the Poetry Unbound podcast or who wants a gentle entry into the world of poetry. Each poem is given a wonderful introduction by Padraig O Tuama, one that feels both personal to his own experience while inviting the reader in at the same time. A collection to revisit again and again.

I really wanted to like this more than I actually did! I loved the concept and some of the poems were great but I wasn't really into the reflections.

I struggle with modern poetry, and much prefer the older poetry. Having said that, I did enjoy Tuama's reflections throughout the book. Those point us to the humanity found within each of us.

Thank you to W. W. Norton & Company and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book.

This would probably be great for classroom use, but for pleasure reading, it just wasn't for me. None of the poems resonated with me and the accompanying analyses didn't add to my enjoyment of them. I did appreciate that Ó Tuama included poems from a diverse group of authors.

This is a beautiful poetry collection. I liked the short essays that follow each poem; they were good food for thought. Thanks for letting me check it out!

Cute concept but not what I thought. I was going to be reading when I requested it. But also a pleasure to see something like this in the poetry literature community.

Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy. As an AP Literature teacher, this book is a treasure! I listen to Tuama's podcast and so have heard his episodes/essays before, but having his thoughts written down after each poem offers a wonderful learning resource for AP students who are new to analyzing poetry. This is accessible and fun because the poem choices are so vast. A must read for a poetry lover!

This would be a great companion for students or anyone wanting to expand their horizons in reading poetry. I loved the variety of themes by the various poets.

This might be my new favorite poetry collection. Each of the fifty poems in this anthology has a tiny introduction and an essay following it, both by Padraig O'Tuama, who is a fantastic poet, peace-worker in Ireland, podcast host of "Poetry Unbound," and frequent visitor to the "On Being" podcast. I loved reading this book, but also, those of you who are English teachers might find it very usefully excerptable for your classes.

Really lovely collection of poems. They are interspersed with reflections and analysis from Ó Tuama. Highly recommend for poetry lovers, as well as poetry students.