Social Climbing and Other Poems

I thought this was such a clever concept that was very well-executed. Inspired by a collection of stunning photographs by Clive Thompson, the author penned a wide-ranging collection of poetry and prose that varies in both topic and tone.

I thought the “Poems of Pandemic” were the stars of the book, “All-Inclusive” being particularly touching. The pandemic experiences described were ones we could all relate to - from grocery shortages to putting our lives on hold to loneliness.

“Winning Streak” was also a standout and I loved the wordplay in “Cold Comfort” - “freezing our stamens off”, etc. The author's range and style was apparent from the very beginning of the book.

I think the appeal of a book like this is that you can either enjoy it by section or just enjoy each piece on its own. Definitely a coffee-table style book that I think anyone would enjoy adding to their library.