It’s part guidebook, part soul-search—and all heart. Divided by mood (overworked, disillusioned, etc.), each walk blends history, poetry, and personal reflection into something quietly profound.

I've only been able to visit Central Park once in my adult lifetime, if I've been there in my childhood I have no memory. But after reading this book I can't wait to go back. Because I would use this book as my guide and I will follow the map of it's words through every bridge and pond, and get a better sense of the Park. It felt like going on a walking tour without physically being there. I found myself reaching for my phone to open the map app and follow along the journey because it truly felt like the author was giving us a tour. The fact that there's also history not only in the poems but on the second half of the book just makes it even a better experience.

Four Walks in Central Park isn’t your average guidebook; it feels more like wandering with a poet friend who notices things you’d normally rush past.
Aaron Poochigian divides the walks by mood: overworked, melancholy, disillusioned, fallow, and somehow they all fit.
I loved how he made familiar spots like Strawberry Fields and Literary Walk feel new, while also pointing out hidden gems like the Swedish Cottage.
The mix of history, little stories, and poetic reflections gave the park so much more depth. Sometimes he wanders off into tangents, but honestly, that’s part of the charm.
It’s less about directions and more about slowing down, looking closer, and letting the place seep into you.
Made me want to take one of these walks. Not a book for someone who wants a quick checklist of sights, but perfect if you love meandering.
For me, it turned Central Park into something more than scenery.

A great read for anyone thinking about, visiting, or living in in NYC. Really enjoyed this book and came an away with a new perspective on central park. Can't wait to take some of the walks!

Central Park is an iconic part of New York. It is a remarkable space that was set aside in the city's real estate for people of all classes, and one that is beloved by many. Poochigian invites the reader into the park from the first page where he dedicates his book to the man who planned the park, Frederick Olmsted. His admiration is clear.

Poochigian immediately speaks directly to the reader, urging them to take a look at the park, which, they will come to see, is filled with beauty and variety. Next, the walks and commentary-there are four and they are glorious with inviting text (really(!) because the reader is constantly invited to come see) and photos. I wish that there were more of these.

Follow one of these walking tours, either virtually or when it is possible to be at the park in person. Those who are visiting for the first time will, I think, be amazed by how much is on offer. Those who already think that they know the park, will find that there is a bit more to discover. Note that some of this is grim as in the detailing of "The Preppy Murder." Yet, the good far outweighs the sad.

The text is beautifully written and a pleasure to read. Poochigian is a poet and it shows.

Get to know the park through this title. It is special.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Familius for this title. All thoughts are my own.

Pub date: 09 September 2025

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC.
As someone who likes to visit NYC, this was very fun to read. I have only been to central park one time, but I can't wait to visit again!

Four Walks in Central Park was a bit different of a read than I am used to, but I did really enjoy the format. I do not live in New York City, but I found the book interesting. I enjoyed the poetry mixed with the walking paths, and that they were catered towards certain moods. The historical insights and literary references of the book really helped make the book stand out. Next time I am in New York I would love to take a copy of this book and walk each of the paths after reading the poetry that goes with each experience because I feel like that would help make the book more enjoyable.

Having just visited NYC with my teen daughter last fall, I certainly wish I’d had this book to walk with and to walk through my favorite park. The rich history and lush beauty makes this park unlike any I have been to, and the poetry, prose and photography throughout this book captured it beautifully. I cannot wait to take the walks again through the park one day with along this knowledge and even more new appreciation.

This book of poetry is so creative. I'm super glad to have grabbed it. I love NYC and central park so what a fun way to look at the city via poetry.

Thank you Familias and NetGalley for an ARC of this book.

This book poetically talks the reader on four walks of Central Park. It has a map of each walk with the noted landmarks and provides a descriptive interpretation of each place.

Having not been to Central Park I was hoping for lots of colour photographs to accompany the prose, to enable me to picture being actually on each walk. If you are familiar with Central Park and its landmarks and are seeking a purely descriptive tour then this book provides that.
Sadly this fell a little flat for me.

Thank you for allowing me to read and review this book.

Found this book tone thoroughly intriguing - I'm visiting NYC in the fall and the author has me captivated by the park

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A marvelous read. Can just imagine sitting on a variety of benches reading it each of the days I choose to take one of the walks. A real delight. My only cavil is that I wanted more of a picture tour within it. I feel that having more of the very old photos would only enhance.
I requested and received a temporary uncorrected galley on Thorium PDF from Familius via NetGalley.
Pub Date Sep 09, 2025 ***** review #FourWalksinCentralPark #APoeticGuidetothePark by @aaronpoochigian @familiusbooks @BookBub #NetGalley @librarythingofficial @NYPL @nyplsnfl @bklynlibrary #poetry #centralparknyc#pictures.of.ny #bookshop_org #bookshop_org_uk @the.storygraph

Aaron Poochigian, Four Walks in Central Park A Poetic Guide to the Park, Familius, September 2025.

Thank you, NetGalley, for providing me with this uncorrected proof for review.

I had mixed feelings about the writing style when I began reading Four Walks in Central Park. However, I became captivated by the way in which Aaron Poochigian brings Central Park to life, although I found his style idiosyncratic. Both the writing, and the material is distinctive, making this book more than a wander through the Park with attention to the familiar. Under Poochigian’s hand memorials, vegetation, sites, and cafes become interesting places to visit as well as a memorial to the Park’s architect, Frederick Olmsted. There are digressions into political and social commentary, and memorable observations about literary and other figures. The four walks include well known sites, and many (at least to me, unknown locations).

Each of the four walks is covered in one chapter, and the sites to visit are listed in the table of contents. The narratives woven around the sites can be read to enhance the walks – or, ignored if what you want is a photo opportunity or to enjoy the plant and animal life. However, I wish that this book had been available on the occasions on which I walked in Central Park. And to return to the animal life, look for the black swans with which any Australian is familiar. Although they become part of the poetry and visual effects in the Park, they are not native to America and their capture in the 1800s could have joined some of the other poignant stories with which the four walks abound.

The walks are named: For the Overworked, For the Fallow, For the Melancholy, and For the Disillusioned. The various sites that will be visited on each walk, are not only numerous but afford the very properties Poochigian claims the walks will advance – they will redress stress, gloom, burnout, and deflation. Some examples illustrate the breadth of interests covered in the walks – The Artist’s Gate, The Chess and Checkers House, The Carousel, The Literary Walk, The Women’s Rights Pioneers Monument and, sadly, Strawberry Fields, feature in walk one. Walk two begins with The Children’s Gate and includes the Children’s Zoo, and again, a violent image, “The Preppy Killer.” The Hunter’s Gate begins walk three and is followed by the Diana Ross Playground, and the theatre I passed when walking to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Delacorte Theatre. The Shakespeare Garden and Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre are on the same walk; the Ladies Pavilion an ornate building surrounded by foliage completes this walk. Walk four is entered by The Stranger’s Gate, the “Central Park Five” providing social commentary, but followed by delightful gardens, bridges, and the tennis centre.

Interspersed with the text are illustrations and poetry, and the book is completed with an index and a description of the publisher and their aims. For those who will not have the chance to walk in Central Park Aaron Poochigian has created valuable images of the pleasure that would be, ensuring that one does not entirely miss out. For those who can walk in Central Park the book provides not only information about the various walks, and sites but a creative approach that can only enhance such journeys.

Poochigian's poetic voice in "Four Walks in Central Park" revitalizes the tradition of flaneur poetry for contemporary readers, creating intimate guided tours calibrated to psychological states—"overworked, fallow, melancholy, or disillusioned." His language achieves a conversational immediacy that belies its careful construction, creating the sensation of an attentive companion rather than a didactic guide.

A poetic and meditative walk through Central Park, even if you’ve never set foot there (like me). Divided into four emotional states (overworked, fallow, melancholy, disillusioned), this book pairs park routes with reflection. Calming and touching.

★★★★☆ (4-4.5/5)
Wow! What a lovely read! I had a very enjoyable afternoon and evening spent with Four Walks in Central Park.

It is the poetry of this collection that is the true star of this reading experience. I found the poems to flow effortlessly and to carry me through the paths of Central Park like a gentle breeze; and left me dreaming of gorgeous summer days – on a dreary spring day. Central Park isn’t just the setting of the book, it becomes a character in its own right. It’s alive, moody, exciting, sometimes dark and often touching. The writing is immersive and captures both the grandeur and the small, quiet details of Central Park in a way that is delicate and vivid.

While Four Walks in Central Park blends travel and poetry in a unique way. My only (minor) critique would be that I simply wasn’t sure if it was meant to be a poetry book first, travel book second or the opposite. In the end, though, I think it doesn’t matter. The poetry is stunning and I had a great time reading this.

The writing was beautiful. Included very interesting stories and history about Central Park. Perfect book for those who love NYC and history. The historic photographs were a wonderful addition. And the cover provides a great shot of Central Park.

I have been to Central Park a few times in the last couple years as my daughter lives nearby. The title caught my eye and I am glad I scooped it up. I loved reading it and of all of the stories of the park and the creative eye that the author has. I can't wait to use it the next time I visit Central Park.

This collection struts. Aaron Poochigian takes us on four fabulous, fiercely observant strolls through Central Park—equal parts poetic promenade and soulful unpacking. With lush language and classical form, he captures New York’s iconic greenspace not just as scenery, but as a mirror for the self: chaotic, gorgeous, a little messy, always alive.

It’s heady, heartfelt, and low-key flirty with the world—ideal for anyone who finds the sacred in pigeons, the sublime in sirens, and a little existential ache beneath the cherry blossoms. High art with a wink. I adored it.

A big, big thank you to the author, Aaron Poochigan, Familius, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read Four Walks in Central Park. I will share my review to Amazon, Goodreads, & Barnes & Noble upon release.

This book about Central Park is perfect for the history buff and New York City lover, especially those who love to experience the romantic and beautiful aspects of the park built in the middle of the city. There's a lot of older photographs, which I found really interesting and provided a lot of context for the eras. I love Central Park, and I can't wait to take some of these walks and reflect on the history. I also thought the section focused on Central Park references was really cool and allowed me to reflect on how important the park is to the city and the community surrounding it. It has a mythical personality in itself, and the history is a huge part of how it was created. The cover shows how the park is really the heart of the city, at the very center of everything. The title stands out and is eye-catching. I'm so thankful to have learned more about the park. This book is beautiful and very informative - would make a great gift for the NYC and Central Park connoisseur.