From time to time as a Book Reviewer I love to read something other than the genres I normally would read, from children’s books to steamy erotic stories; and I’ve found reading poetry fills that desire quite well.
Poetry is able to communicate things such as feeling in a manner like no other form of literature can. Poetry comes from deep down inside its writer’s inner being which can’t really be done any other way. Poetry usually paints a certain imagery which is different to each individual reading it. So while no matter what an individual gets from reading a poem is correct as far as that individual is concerned; the question that arises here is whether or not this is what the writer of the poem wanted their readers to have after reading it.
Everyone who has ever read a poem and enjoyed it has wondered what had been going on in the poet’s mind when they wrote it. Haven’t you?
Unfortunately this tidbit of information has always remained a mystery as far as I know; which is why I loved reading this book of poems by Paul Travis.
In his book of poems Paul Travis has not only lifted the veil of mystery behind the writing of each poem, he has allowed his readers into his intimate and personal life. So in return for so aptly sharing his life with those who read this book, I’m giving it 5 STARS
I read this book via a KINDLE unlimited download.
US: https://www.amazon.com/review/R22MZQJ5V1F4Y7
UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/review/RZ6ZG3TQ908OU
mypennameonly 
Jul 26, 2016 @ 12:45:21
Robin,
Based upon the highly generic and ultra-vague assessment you posed above, I’m wondering if you actually read Paul Travis’ narcissistic, artless, mind numbingly-insipid, and appallingly-juvenile book, “Who I Am: Poetry.” If you did actually read this drivel-laden amalgam of endless boasting, lazily penned and packaged by a self-aggrandizing buffoon, I can only surmise that you either have the Intelligence Quotient of a scarecrow, you’re outrageously imperceptive when evaluating poetry, or you were paid by the author to write that generic review. So which is it?
About a year ago, I purchased this trite little poetry book on Amazon (it was rate #1), read it in it’s entirety, and found it to be one of the most idiotic collections of vacuous banality I’ve ever been subjected to. I wrote a far more comprehensive and truthful review here…
https://www.amazon.com/review/RPHQ5L0RZDE2/ref=cm_cr_dp_title?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B00SIH5188&channel=detail-glance&nodeID=133140011&store=digital-text
Please explain yourself at your earliest convenience.
-Ken P.
Jul 26, 2016 @ 14:16:42
Yes I did read this book. I even stated how I got the book.
No. The author didn’t pay me for this review. In fact I’ve got a policy which outlines how I choose to review the books I do.
https://mypennameonly.wordpress.com/2014/10/29/my-selection-process-for-reviewing-books/
As far as my being so hyper-positive about this book as compared to your being so hyper-critical of it, please re-read the portion of my review where I wrote:
“Poetry usually paints a certain imagery which is different to each individual reading it. So while no matter what an individual gets from reading a poem is correct as far as that individual is concerned;….”
So both of us are correct in how we felt about this book. Remember a review is really an opinion of something.
I never read any reviews prior to writing my review as I don’t wanted to be influenced by what they have to say. Looking at all of the reviews this book has received so far, there are four more 5 STAR reviews in addition to the one I gave it.
Jul 26, 2016 @ 12:49:01
Jul 26, 2016 @ 13:40:18
Your comment got posted twice.
Jul 26, 2016 @ 17:55:49
Robin:
Because that link concerning how you “choose” which books to review provided me with no information whatsoever, please kindly answer the following question: How did you find “Who I Am: Poetry” by Paul Travis and why did you “choose” to conduct your review? Prediction – if you do respond, you won’t answer these questions.
Is there any wonder why I might have reason to believe that this review could be less than genuine? You’re a “professional” evaluator of books, yet your review was the most meaningless, robotic, nondescript, and strangely-nebulous appraisals I’ve ever seen. You provided no detail whatsoever on any of the poetry featured in the book. You didn’t mention a single poem title, how the poems made you feel, the imagery that you envisioned upon reading them, or your perception of their meaning and inspiration.
Your review and subsequent response to my comment was so pathetic and artistically-insensate that I’m no longer questioning your obvious dearth of aptitude or whether or not you’re lying about actually reading this book…I’m questioning if you’re even human and not some internet bot that is pre-programmed to write simplistic reviews and administer a “5-star” rating for all paying customers who want positive feedback when sales of their works are struggling.
If you’re not lying, then surely you won’t mind disclosing which poem in the Paul Travis collection was your favorite piece along with a brief elucidation regarding the work. Or is that too much to ask from an android?
-Ken P.
Jul 26, 2016 @ 20:46:49
WITH ALL DUE RESPECT
I find it quite interesting that you’ve once again decided to gift me with what appears to be an apparent diatribe, by asking me questions regarding what I wrote and why I wrote. While at the same time you’re probably have not queried the other four reviewers in the same manner; all of whom merely wrote how beautiful the poems were, that they were heartfelt and heartwarming they were, or that revealed something about the person who wrote them. Which is what basically had written.
To paraphrase the words of Sherlock Holmes, “There’s more than meets the eye.” So I’m not going to dignify your questions/requests with a response other than what I have here.
Jul 27, 2016 @ 19:51:47
YOUR QUOTE: “So I’m not going to dignify your questions/requests with a response other than what I have here.”
TRANSLATION: The author of “Who I Am” paid me to write a fake, 5-star Amazon review for a book that I didn’t actually read. I took a cursory glance at the description of the book and slapped together such a stunningly-lackadaisical review that a random person (me, someone who did actually read the poems) took notice and questioned it’s authenticity. At the request of the author, I also posted the review my social media accounts and blog.
By the way…I did “query” those other (phony) 5-star reviews. Like yours, they were fake, too.
You refuse to answer the most basic of inquiries about your experiences reading “Who I Am” because you didn’t read it. Additionally, you’re too much of a coward to admit that your “business” is getting paid to write sham “5-star reviews” so that struggling authors can sell their sub-par product to unsuspecting Amazon customers.
Here’s an easy little “pop quiz” about book. Which poem does the following (infantile / imbecilic / pathetic) passage come from?
“She’ll always be a petty bitch, I scratched away like an itch.”
Prove me wrong. You can’t. You won’t. In fact, you’ll probably just delete this entire conversation.
-Ken P
Jul 27, 2016 @ 21:02:37
That quote is from Chapter Four – Exposed.
Took me a few secs to find it.
You remind me of an often misquoted line from Shakespeare.
In fact I believe I’ve found you in this book.
Jul 27, 2016 @ 23:44:28
[hands clapping]
Very good!
Next question…to the best of your recollection, how did happen to find “Who I Am” on Amazon in the first place?
If you answer this question honestly, I promise I’ll leave you alone.
PS – Shakspeare is a writer, not a quoteable piece of literature.
Jul 28, 2016 @ 00:30:17
If you had read my review here and on Amazon. I’ve already given you this answer.
GO BACK
RE-READ my review, especially the beginning and the last sentence.
I believe I had explained everything already,
Tell me what I’ve written about poetry isn’t correct.
As far as Shakespeare is concern, I didn’t quote him,
I had said what he had written in a line of one of
his plays reminded me of you.
After your response to what I’ve written here.
I’m going to hold you to your word about leaving me alone.
Unlike the others reviewers you said you’ve written to,
I wasn’t afraid to answer you.
Am I correct?
Jul 28, 2016 @ 15:12:53
[Sighs] Let’s try this again…
YOUR QUOTE: “From time to time as a Book Reviewer I love to read something other than the genres I normally would read, from children’s books to steamy erotic stories; and I’ve found reading poetry fills that desire quite well.”
I asked how you first happened upon “Who I Am” on Amazon? Correct me if I’m wrong, but your sentence-long quote above, which you’ve implored me to “RE-READ,” simply doesn’t answer that question. Pretty please, with ice cream on top, could you provide a little more information concerning how you first found this book and, out of the blue, decided to conduct your review? If one types the word “poetry” into Amazon’s search function, there are 1,962,152 results. See link below…
https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=poetry
Therefore, with nearly 2 million titles to select, what made you choose “Who I Am?” Did you search “poetry” on Amazon and it was the top rated book? Did the cover art catch your eye and you wanted to read the book’s contents? Did you see other reviewers discussing the book and decide to give it a read? Were you solicited in some way? Help me to understand.
YOUR QUOTE: “I read this book via a KINDLE unlimited download.”
Alright, now that I’ve “RE-READ” the last sentence of your review (as per your request) and I;m clearly cognizant of the fact that you downloaded the digital version of “Who I Am” via Kindle, could you please set aside 30 seconds of your valuable time to explain why you purchased / downloaded “Who I Am” in the first place via Kindle?
I admire your expert question-dodging acumen and it should be interesting to see you weasel your way out of answering the most basic of questions.
Jul 28, 2016 @ 15:20:52
I may come off as a self-righteous jerk, but I can assure you that I’m not trying to threaten or intimidate you in any way and I wish you no ill will. Please answer my questions and you’ll never hear from me again.
Jul 28, 2016 @ 17:40:41
There was a logical progression to my selection.
I recently reviewed a book on self-esteem.
When one speaks of self-esteem speaks about themselves
They ask who am I?
I wanted to read/review some poetry.
I then went Amazon and entered POETRY + WHO I AM?
With more than one KINDLE Unlimited listed I then selected
the one which might give me some sort of information as
to why the poet wrote the poem.
This is the first one I found which did met the criteria I’d been
looking for..
Your over inquisitiveness concerning my review of this book is
causing my intuition to wonderful if you’ve got a personal interest
in this book. I’ve been honest with you with my response so
why don’t you reciprocate by doing the same Kevin?