I loved every second of reading this! This collection brought so many concepts to light for me that I never gave much thought to before, and I learned a lot of new information, especially about the contributions of specific women in science, mathematics, and astronomy.

Each of the 15 segments is about a different topic and includes a sort of prelude to a poem of the same topic. The introductions give some background on the concepts themselves (from things like black holes to radioactivity to octopi) and connects those concepts to the poem it introduces. I found myself wanting more from the parts that preceded the poems, wanting to know more about each concept, but I had to remind myself they really are just serving as introductions.

I don't really have anything negative to say besides that I wish it were longer and included more "portals"! This concept is so unique.

I knew I would love this book as soon as I read the beautiful dedication
“For Emily, who returned her borrowed stardust to the universe far too soon.”

There’s a line in the book which describe humans as “Small awestruck creatures with vast complex consciousness.” Which I found so beautiful. I remember first learning about the golden disc and how we are all made of stardust and how emotional it made me. This book perfectly encapsulates those feelings.

This is a love letter to the universe itself!

Thanks to NetGalley and publishers for letting me read this book in exchange for an honest review!

A truly stunning book within such an original concept.

Illustration. Context. Poem.

Each poem is preceded by it's context within the wider universe, that which ties us to the poem in question. We read about the universe in all it's glory, which follows stunning illustrations which represents both the context and the poem.

A beautiful gift for a lover of art, the universe and poetry.

I absolutely adore this combination of history, science, and literature. Each poem is precluded by a short bit of scientific history and the following poem relates to that branch or era of science. It's a lovely book that really pulled me in. As a scientist, this is a beautiful book.

This short collection is a beautiful reflection of the vastness of the world around us from various elements of nature and into the cosmos. The combination of art and science creates a wonderful transitional space to explore these ideas through a softer lens. It is always a joy to learn beloved authors have a background in sciences and see how this can influence their works. I particularly enjoyed learning more about women in sciences throughout the years; they are often not household names but their contributions to their respective fields cannot be understated.

I loved the short introductions that provided context for each poem; I found them incredibly helpful and enabled a deeper connection to each piece. I also thought the illustrations were a lovely touch throughout the anthology.

I have long been a fan of Maria Popova and this book is absolutely beautiful. I took my time reading it with devotion and as a devotional. The artwork is stunning. The histories and threads that tie together our world through poetry is breath-taking. I can't wait to purchase this for holiday gifts.

"The Universe in Verse: 15 Portals to Wonder through Science & Poetry" is a transcendent literary journey curated by the brilliant mind of Maria Popova. In this anthology, Popova ingeniously intertwines the realms of science and poetry, inviting readers to embark on a voyage through the cosmos where the beauty of the universe is illuminated through the lens of poetic expression.

Popova's curation of the anthology is nothing short of masterful. Each poem serves as a portal, transporting readers to different corners of the universe, from the vast expanse of space to the intricate workings of the human mind. Through the carefully selected verses, Popova seamlessly bridges the gap between scientific inquiry and artistic exploration, demonstrating how both disciplines are essential facets of human understanding.

One of the most captivating aspects of "The Universe in Verse" is its ability to inspire a sense of awe and wonder. As readers delve into the depths of the cosmos alongside luminaries like Emily Dickinson, Maya Angelou, and Carl Sagan, they are reminded of the sheer magnificence of the universe and our place within it. Each poem serves as a testament to the power of language to evoke emotion and provoke introspection, inviting readers to contemplate their place in the vast tapestry of existence.

Furthermore, Popova's insightful commentary provides invaluable context for each poem, offering readers a deeper understanding of the scientific principles and philosophical ideas that underpin the verses. Her eloquent prose serves as a guiding light, illuminating the connections between science and poetry and enriching the reader's experience of each poem.

"The Universe in Verse" is not merely a book; it is a celebration of the human spirit and our relentless curiosity about the world around us. Through the marriage of science and poetry, Maria Popova invites readers to embark on a journey of discovery, where the boundaries between disciplines blur and the mysteries of the universe are laid bare. This anthology is a testament to the enduring power of language to inspire, educate, and transform—a must-read for anyone who has ever looked up at the stars and wondered about the cosmos.

In conclusion, "The Universe in Verse" is a triumph of literary curation—an exquisite tapestry of science and poetry that captures the essence of our quest to understand the universe and ourselves. Maria Popova's visionary anthology is sure to leave a lasting impression on readers, inspiring them to view the world with newfound wonder and appreciation.

The illustrations in this book carried this advance read for me. They were imaginative, beautiful, thought provoking. It is a book that weaves poetry, art, science, and thought through the pages, but it is because of the illustrations, I give it 3 stars. There were only a few stories and poems that I enjoyed, most just did not grab my attention. But the pictures certainly did. I thank NetGalley and Storey Publishing for the advance read.

Having spent a lifetime contemplating and exploring the universe, the nature of the infinite and time, our connections and consciousness, I find this a special and fascinating book. Inevitably, those of us who follow this trajectory and expand our minds and beings to explore what is will make varying discoveries and perhaps come to different conclusions (though I have yet to find a satisfactory end to anything), so it is always a pleasure to be given a window onto those of others. The Universe in Verse offers an exploration of the marriage between the poetic and scientific, the views and perspectives of both over time, in ways I am both familiar and unfamiliar with.
I found the feminist angle fascinating, something I was aware of but hadn’t quite pieced together in this way. I suspect philosophy, reality and science would be much further along had the voice of women been more welcome.
One new perspective to offer. Differing views of reality are described as a shifting plane, which is a perfectly fine way to describe it. However, the way it looks to me is like a multifaceted diamond, or a mirror ball, where each of us stands on one facet. The view from there, the way the light is reflected, will differ depending on where we find ourselves. To share what we are able to see from our standpoint will increase us all, but claiming our view is the only real one does the reverse. So thank you Maria for sharing your view and your light.
I enjoyed the pictures. My only complaint is that my preferred way of reading is on a Kindle, and this book was not available in that format. I hope that will be rectified at some point.

Thank you NetGalley for the chance to read and review this ARC!

This is one of those books I want to own and have a copy off on my shelf and give to people I love. They truly do not make anthologies like this all that often; which is, to say, that it is absolutely wonderful.

Maria Popova has put together a beautiful collection of poems that are interesting and really good, and accompanied each with a concept to be explored. She herself, writes beautifully, like a poet writing prose, each word saturated with love. She reminds us of the beauty and imagination in science, a field that has often been called cold because of its focus on rationality.

I would put her in the company of some of my favourites like James Crews and William Seighart, and I can't wait for the next collection she puts together; although I should tell her that the bar is incredibly high now.

I would never recommend a poetry collection to my grandmother, who has much better taste than I do in literature, but this is one I would not hesitate to give her. I know that compliment might not mean much to someone, but it's the highest one I can give.

The illustrations by Ofra Amit were also a lovely touch!

A well deserved, and easy, 5 stars!

This is a short book of poems, and short introductory essays to the themes of the selected poetry. It is accompanied by interesting illustrations which offer a fresh style (though I must admit, this is not a style I personally enjoy much, but it is nice to see something different).

As the title suggests, this book is about the workings of the universe and the art/poetry in them. I have been following Maria Popova’s work and musings for a long time. It was nice to read a poem by her.

The intersection between the poetry of science, the universe and art is an area that needs more exploration in my opinion, and this book is a great start. It is accessible and easy-to-read. It also functions like a book which you can refer to when you have explored the flowers, wondered about the genius of octopuses, and want to find a read that expresses your awe.

I wish this were longer.

A lyrical melding between science, art, essays, and poetry; The Universe In Verse is a beautiful, wonderful, somber, and hopeful thing all at once. The illustrations are lovingly done, usually in limited or monochrome palettes of reds and blues. It's a love letter to all the things that matter. Singularity was my personal favorite in the book, and I'll be thinking about it often. Sometimes when I read something I really like, I'll read it outloud to myself, and I found myself doing that while reading through this book.

Thank you as always to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for an early access copy in exchange for an honest review.