Encounter

by Linda Dobinson

Encounter is a book of poems written mostly in free verse but with some traditional poetic forms included. The collection is divided into three themes – love, nature and life, but of course themes overlap.

Linda has experienced all sides of love - the joy it brings, the pain when it goes wrong, unrequited,and learning to move on. Her aim is to show that it really is possible to overcome heartbreak and start again with hope and confidence.
She is constantly inspired by nature and she invites you to share with her thrill of a new spring, mercurial summer, the glorious colours of autumn, the frozen wonders of winter.

Genres: Poetry

87 pages, Paperback

First published January 19, 2015

About the author

I was born in Croydon but grew up in Barbados; endless sunshine and never far from the beach. When I was seventeen we returned to England. The fast pace of London life was exciting, the shops fantastic but the cold - not good.
I love reading, writing poetry, baking cakes, shopping for handbags and shoes,F1, chocolate, cats, and watching too much TV - not necessarily in that order.
I started writing poetry when I was studying for a BA degree with The Open University. I have had poems in 'Decanto', 'Time Haiku', 'Poetic Licence', 'Candelabrum', 'krax' and 'Poetry Now' to name a few.
In 2016 I began writing children's books. My third book ''Mollie Mack, Private Detective'' is available on Amazon - www.amazon.co.uk/Molly-Private-Detect... My duology Kerry's Busy Saturday and Kerry's Party Sunday are available from KA Books - https://www.kabooks.co.uk/shop and Amazon

Reviews

[Stjepan Cobets · Rating 5 out of 5]

My rating 4.7

The collection of poetry "Encounter" by Linda Dobinson is a wonderful overview of the world and the feelings that the writer composes into poems with a refined vision and sensibility for the moment in his environment. Love, nature, and feelings run through the poems through the soul. The writer describes his intimate moment, disappointments, love for the nature that surrounds him, love for simple things, and love for those who were just a moment in the time of the writer’s life. A real poet feels the world around him because sometimes even a single snowflake has its own story, and through Linda Dobinson's poems, you can feel every moment in her life, nature, and thoughts. I sincerely enjoyed reading her poems and would recommend this book to poetry lovers.
Poems that impressed me:
Dawn,
Accra Sunset,
Frozen,
Promises and Ring,
Love,
Encounter,
Sunset,
A spring Day,
Snow,
and many more poems from the collection.

[Philip Dodd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Encounter by Linda Dobinson is a fine collection of poems, I think. I appreciated the verses for their clarity and directness. There is a freshness and innocence about them, which I liked. Spring, summer, autumn, winter, the four seasons are mused upon and celebrated in the light, flowing lines. There are poems of lost love, but with no self pity, no plunge into despair. Unlike many modern poems, the poems in the collection never seem too clever for their own good, written in a secret code. Like the works of naïve painters, the poems are refreshingly direct. In them there are memorable lines, like in one called I Want To Write, when the author writes of yearning to go out:
"But not to run through the grass
Or watch the bees harass
The flowers dancing in the breeze."
What remained in my mind after reading Encounter is that it is written by one with a positive response to life, a healthy pleasure in nature and the changing seasons. It is a good book, one that can comfort, cheer and inspire.

[Carrie (The Butterfly Reader) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so amazing! It had me wishing for summer and usually I hate summer so that's rare on it's own. The poems of love are what stuck with me the most. I found myself trying to memorize some so I could keep them forever.

This book is a very short read. So if you are wanting to get into poetry but aren't sure, then get this book. If you don't like it, then no harm done but if you decide you like poetry than you have a wonderful little book that gives you a great start.

I'm so glad that I was able to read this book, so worth it. I had it read in less than an hour and found myself going back to read my favorites right after. It's just flows so perfectly. The author such has an amazing way with words. Give this one a try, you won't regret it!

*I was given this book in exchange for an honest review*

[Dianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I know, we hear the word “poetry” and the horrors of high school return, reading it, writing it, dissecting it, interpreting it…which brings to mind, how come the teacher’s version of the interpretation was the only correct one? Encounter by Linda Dobinson is definitely NOT poetry with hidden meanings, what you read is what you get, well-written, light, filled with contemporary wording that never short changes us in their meaning of the feelings of the author.

Linda Dobinson has an affinity for the changing of the seasons and she puts her thoughts to paper, giving beauty to even a stormy day. Wonder how “love” comes across? There are poems of feeling new love, lasting love and dying love, yet none of them are maudlin or dark, but more like a flower opening slowly until its full beauty is exposed. There will be poems one can relate to, one can smile about and some that may bring back memories. Perhaps the short Haiku will strike a chord with you, but regardless of your favorite, each is short, easily understood and convey a what the author is seeing or feeling.

Not sure about poetry, this is the place to start, you may find one that truly resonates with you more than others or you may find another reading avenue to explore. Go ahead, interpret each piece to suit yourself, the teacher isn't watching. Highly recommended!

I received this copy from Linda Dobinson in exchange for my honest review.

Publication Date: January 19, 2015
Publisher: PublishNation
ISBN13: 9781326116170
Genre: Poetry
Number of pages: 87
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Reviewed for: http://tometender.blogspot.com

[K · Rating 4 out of 5]

(I received a copy for free from the Goodreads first Reads!) :)



“If I were the sun and you were the moon.”

I am not that into poems, I don’t even know their forms. Ha! But I love to read poems especially those about love, family, and friends. And I found those in the Encounter by Linda Dobinson.

Encounter is a book of poems not only about love but also about the different seasons. When you read the poems about them, you will escape time and think about the season and imagine what was happening based on what was written.

There are poems in this book that are easy to understand and since it was inspired by the author’s experiences, the poems may be related to one’s life.

Please read the whole review on my blog here! (Plus a poem from the book and a poem I made for the author! :D )

[Khadija · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is definitely a summer read. With all those marvelous images of Barbados virgin beaches, I found myself longing for an evening near the waves.

Linda Dobinson finds solace in nature and her poems translate that patently. She uses natural elements to document her feelings of loss, love, lust, wishful thoughts and nostalgia.I loved the variety of the poems’ traditional writing style.

When we strip away all the flashes, the lights, the mechanical noises and the social pressures what truth are we left with? The truth that we are all natural beings who relate to this kind of poetry. The poems that stood out for me most are Snow and Journeys On The 7.20

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author kindly sent me a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

"Encounter" by Linda Dobinson is delightful!

A selection of poems collected into what I can only describe as "a look at life", "Encounter" will make you smile, make you wonder, and make you want more!

All the different aspects are so cleverly intermingled that even with the individual nature of each poem the theme of "life" remains constant (not so much watching people, as the author watching herself, perhaps?).

Insightful, honest, and brilliantly crafted.

[Anna Faversham · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was sitting on the beach when I started to read this collection of poems/free verse. They captured my thoughts – I felt at one with nature, loved the crashing waves – just as the author describes. A perfect book for a holiday read. In between each poem, I glanced up and enjoyed the feel of the wind, the sound of the waves and the warmth of the sun. Then I read on and on, the book adding to my enjoyment. For some, such as Thorns, I stopped and considered – on holiday one has time to think and these poems prompted plenty of thoughts.

[Just_me · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable mix of poetry. A few titles certainly stand out, the Haiku was especially enjoyable as are titles such as Snow, I need you in my life and I want to write.

I find Linda's poetry is accessible and it does not needs hours of my time to try and decipher meaning. I shall be sharing some of these poems, specifically the seasonal ones with my seven year old daughter.

I won this book through goodreads Firstreads for a honest review.

[Sher · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable read. Easy to relate to emotions expressed by the author. Thank you for the signed giveaway.

[Laina · Rating 5 out of 5]

**I received a free copy of this book for an honest review.**

First off I have to say, that I love poetry. I discovered my love of poetry in 2005 and have been reading and writing poetry off and on since then, and each year I find myself loving it more and more.

Reading about love and fun, happiness, family, friends, holidays, seasons, or even some sad poetry. I love it all and this book was no exception.

Linda's book Encounter is wonderful and I know I'll be reading it over and over. I love her descriptions of summers and winters. They make me feel like I'm in the scene she sets.

I also love her poems about nature. The way she describes the things she sees and does in nature is beautiful and I can picture everything so clearly.

[Pat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this selection of poetry.
it made me feel warm and romantic in Summer
cold and cosy in Autumn
chilly and icy in Winter
and rejuvinated in Spring.

Thank you Linda for allowing me to review this wonderful poetry book, and brought me back to the
world of poetry I lost contact with when I was younger.

[Seeraj Shaikh · Rating 4 out of 5]

It might not be too profound, but I got hooked immediately. And apparently I'm not the only one. All in all, this was one of the most entertaining books that I've read.

P.S: the author announced this book will be available free on kindle april 10th. Happy reading.

[Diane Perry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love finding a great collection of poetry. This one was gifted to me by the author Linda. Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful words. Each poem is written with heart, soul, and great imagery. This is a wonderful collection.

[Jillian Rae Happy Ending · Rating 5 out of 5]

Please note: I received a copy from the author as part of Goodreads First Reads.
An 'encounter' with a play on words, with emotions on paper. The author literally makes herself an open book. You get to really feel the flow of her experiences with each pages' continuity. You get to feel her longing, her joy and everything in between. The cover might make it seem like the collection is all about a happy ordinary summer day but the contents say otherwise. If you want to go on a journey with Ms. Dobinson, one that everyone can relate to and would love to relive then this is the book for you. I give this collection 5 stars out of 5.