Something to Someone

by Javan

Poetry for those wishing to know someone special while seeking the greater challenge to know themselves.

Genres: Poetry, Nonfiction

60 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1984

About the author

Javan (which is the author's given middle name) was born October 19, 1946 in a small North Carolina town. He lived in N.C. through high school and college, then moved to Atlanta in 1968, where he worked as an agent for Eastern Airlines until the end of 1977. In 1979 Javan self-published his first book and started traveling around the country with his golden retriever puppy, Brandon, introducing the book to bookstores. There are four titles now available and Javan still travels both nationally and internationally. Unfortunately, Brandon died in 1988.

Reviews

[Heather]

This book along with Meet Me Halfway, A Heart Full of Love, and Footprints In the Mind were introduced to me by my best friend in college. So many of the poems seemed to have captured the thoughts I had but couldn't put into words. My most favorite poem is Today Someone Asked... I live by that poem: The good and the bad are so intertwined I could not change part without changing the whole... I frequently cringe at how much some of the poems expose how I feel and how vulnerable I feel admitting to that....

[brook · Rating 3 out of 5]

this was given to me by an ex who knew i needed it. i scribbled quotes from this inside my closet when i was a teenager. its one of those things that changes your world when you're young, and now that you're older you'll never look at it the same, but you respect the fact that it was significant in its time.

[Tara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was first introduced to this book when I was going through my "quarter-life crisis". I was nearing my 25th birthday and beginning to feel like I had become a failure. I hadn't really achieved any of the goals I had set for myself when I was 16 and was beginning to think I never would. A dear friend who I referred to as my "work dad" gave it to me so that I wouldn't feel so hopeless. I think I wore out the binding.

It's been awhile since I read it, but the basic message is that you mean something to someone and you are something to someone. It's something that I think we all forget from time to time: that no matter how unimportant or miniscule we might feel, there is someone out there who thinks the world of us.

[Elisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

My dad got me this book when I was having a tough time in my early professional career. I just found it in my night table and it's equally powerful today. So many life lessons and inspiration. Especially relevant in today's world full of negativity!

[Aubrey Hardy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Few words and a large impact. A book I would recommend to anyone who recently lost someone 🤍

[Eric · Rating 2 out of 5]

What a price we pay for experience when we must sell our youth to buy it.

It's interesting what we can find when we take the occasional closer look. I found three of the books in this series while glancing through the poetry section at a local Barnes & Noble, tucked next to a Norton Critical edition of Paradise Lost. I glanced through several of the writings in each, bought all three and had B&N order me the fourth.

This is one of a series of four books by the author Javan that are themed collections of poetry and the author's thoughts. Each of the books is filled with poetry that is, many times, melodramatic, sounding so much like social media status updates, or those silly artificial 'inspirational' placards that you find in kitchens, though there are quite a few writings that have just that extra slice of truth that leaves it ringing in your mind several hours after you've read it.

Some people think too highly of others, and not enough of themselves. While many think too highly of themselves and not enough of others.

[Dianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great series! These book are just up there as my favorite to have read about love in my early 20's! These books were written my a man and are great for both men and women to read. As a matter of fact everyone must read them. They are simply amazing!

[Belinda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely one that I'll go back and read over and over.

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love and life go hand in hand. Every single page of poetry in this book conveys that beautifully.
"For a few moments
In my life
You made me feel
As if I truly meant
Something to Someone"

[❀ Annelise ❀ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a memory of a love story. My now partner who I went to middle and high school with handed me this book after my then boyfriend and I broke up in 8th grade. It was so unexpected, we didn’t talk all that much until then. It’s been close to my heart but now closer that he and I are now (finally) together. Along with his other poetry books, this book is a must read for any romantics still out there, for the hopeful and the hopeless.

[Mark Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

My grandma used to say a book can take you anywhere in the world. When I picked up Something to Someone I immediately realized the destination was my heart and mind. The thoughts expressed are gentle and so very thought provoking. It will now be my bedside book to remind myself of what is important in the moments of my life.

[Barbara Sutcliffe · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is a different type of poem, but a very good one. You don't have to be special to everyone, just one.

[Angie Cooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love every poem

[deborah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh man, I really needed to read a few of these poems! There are some wonderful gems in this collection. Although lacking in imagery and sweeping in broad strokes, Javan weaves a gentle narrative of love and finding oneself. He had a very introverted feel to his verses, often relying on a quiet sense of accepting loneliness.
My main critiques are 1-the lack of punctuation, and 2- some of Javan's shorter poems felt a little like greeting card quotes.
Largely, it was a touching collection and I will absolutely be rereading some of these poems over and over!

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Javan's poetry is succinct brilliance.

[Silvana · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite poet writers...

[R.K. Cowles · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 /12 stars

[Raymond · Rating 5 out of 5]

BRUH