Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Rumination: The Little Book of Haiku

Rate this book
Rumination is a book of 50 non-traditionally themed haikus in the traditional 17 syllable format. The haikus were a way for me to focus my busy thoughts in a coherent way.I consider this book to be an ‘occasional’ book, one you can pick up and flick to any page to read when you feel that you need a friend. I hope you find the haikus inspirational or insightful and that you enjoy the accompanying photographs. They have been chosen carefully to add more depth to the poems.

Due to the colour photographs, the ebook is best viewed on a colour screen with a two page view.

I hope you get enjoyment and solace from the book.

Kindle Edition

Published May 18, 2024

2 people want to read

About the author

Carrie O’Leary

8 books88 followers

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
8 (80%)
4 stars
2 (20%)
3 stars
0 (0%)
2 stars
0 (0%)
1 star
0 (0%)
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
Profile Image for Jane Wood.
Author 4 books98 followers
October 5, 2024
Rumination: The Book of Haiku, by Carrie O’Leary.

What a fascinating book. I have never read a book about Haiku before.

I enjoyed reading through this book very much. It was a quick read, so I read it twice more for the sheer pleasure of looking at the lovely photographs in this book, and of course pondering the verse that followed each one.
I was intrigued by the three-line verse written in Haiku style, with a five, seven, five syllables per line format, captured the essence of the scenes depicted.

Inspirational and thought-provoking. A beautiful, calming, flick through anytime book.
Recommended.
Profile Image for Stevie Hostetter.
Author 17 books37 followers
May 27, 2024
Short cute book

I enjoyed these haikus. They were short yet profound. The poems invoked feelings of happiness, virtue, resilience, and a brighter future. These haikus have something for everyone. From nature, to love, to animals. The Poems spoke about people's interests. I also loved the illustrations they were beautiful and some really connected to me. I would definitely recommend this book.
Profile Image for Tracey Gerrard.
Author 10 books70 followers
January 26, 2025
Beautiful words and photos!
Rumination by Carrie O’Leary is a wonderful read with beautiful words, each poem accompanied by a stunning photo. A short read that (depending on what is going on in your life) can refer back to. Loved it!
Profile Image for Marcia Clayton.
Author 7 books54 followers
October 24, 2025
I’ve never read a book of haikus before, but I enjoyed these short but profound poems. A quick, but inspirational read, and interspersed with beautiful illustrations. A book that can easily be picked up whenever there are a few minutes to spare.
Profile Image for Caroline Hurry.
Author 17 books68 followers
August 8, 2025
Whispers Between the Lines
Carrie O’Leary’s introspective collection captures the essence of fleeting moments, universal emotions, and the quiet power of observation. With elegant simplicity and emotional clarity, each haiku distils a vast external and internal landscape into just three lines.
From the wistful glow of Perseid’s shooting stars to the ache of Brokenhearted and the brutal honesty of War, O’Leary’s words linger like the afterglow of a memory or dream fragment. There's a stark beauty in her minimalism, where every syllable earns its place.
A former nurse, devoted mother, and lover of sci-fi and fantasy, O’Leary draws from a well of experience. In Reading, she reflects:
"I open a page,
And find myself surrounded,
By the best of friends."
This is exactly what her haiku achieves. O’Leary has created a space where readers feel seen, soothed, sometimes stirred.
Whether ruminating on the beauty of nature or the quiet heartbreak of loss, Rumination is a pocket-sized meditation that invites reflection with each page. The illustrations are perfect, making this book an ideal gift for anyone who enjoys bite-sized poetry with soul, or who wants to carry a little calm in their day.
Profile Image for Jacqueline Lambert.
Author 10 books77 followers
May 18, 2025
Beautiful and Inspiring

A lovely little book filled with thoughtful haiku and beautiful imagery. It is perfect as a gift, or for a peaceful moment of reflection in your day. I loved the pictures and the calming feel throughout. Here’s my Haiku review:

Gentle words take flight
Paired with quiet, lovely scenes —
A gift for the soul.
Profile Image for Lucas W Mayberry.
Author 3 books36 followers
January 6, 2026
The haiku poems in this book can all be read in 10 minutes or longer if you stop to admire the photos that inspire each haiku. They are beautifully and cleverly written like with some poignant ones like “War” or “Brokenhearted” or there is my favourite “Reading” which I speaks to me. I definitely recommend if you like something different than the normal poetry.
Profile Image for A.J. SAUNDERS.
Author 11 books56 followers
January 5, 2026
Like the author said in her ‘blurb’ – this is an occasional book that you can pick up time and time again. That’s what I’ve been doing since I bought it last year.

We all have our favourites. Mine is ‘Dusk’. But each quote leaves you pensive.

Carry on the good work, Ms. O’Leary.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.