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Persistent
"Persistent," a collection of poems by Jean Sheldon.
In "Persistent," accomplished mystery writer Jean Sheldon turns her considerable talents to the poetic form, condensing personal experience into the exquisite expression of thought, emotion and revelatory moment...No doubt her journey, one of open-minded and compassionate possibility, will inspire you to consider your own.
~ Laurence Overmire, poet and author of "The One Idea That Saves The World: A Call to Conscience and A Call to Action."
Reading the poems in Jean Sheldon's new book, "Persistent," is rewarding and inspiring. While deeply personal, each poem seemed to reach me as if she had written it just for me. I read the book from start to finish, but am now enjoying just picking a poem and letting it sink in for a meditation that leads to my own thoughts, memories and reflections. But don't think for a minute that "Persistent" is not filled with Sheldon's humor, earthiness, her keen eye and way with words. All have come together to make a window into this life we live, our own place in it, our eventual leaving of it and the strength that a self-examined persistence brings us all. – Nancy McDonald, Indelible Mark Publishing
In "Persistent," accomplished mystery writer Jean Sheldon turns her considerable talents to the poetic form, condensing personal experience into the exquisite expression of thought, emotion and revelatory moment...No doubt her journey, one of open-minded and compassionate possibility, will inspire you to consider your own.
~ Laurence Overmire, poet and author of "The One Idea That Saves The World: A Call to Conscience and A Call to Action."
Reading the poems in Jean Sheldon's new book, "Persistent," is rewarding and inspiring. While deeply personal, each poem seemed to reach me as if she had written it just for me. I read the book from start to finish, but am now enjoying just picking a poem and letting it sink in for a meditation that leads to my own thoughts, memories and reflections. But don't think for a minute that "Persistent" is not filled with Sheldon's humor, earthiness, her keen eye and way with words. All have come together to make a window into this life we live, our own place in it, our eventual leaving of it and the strength that a self-examined persistence brings us all. – Nancy McDonald, Indelible Mark Publishing
90 pages, Paperback
First published April 21, 2015
160 people want to read
About the author
Jean Sheldon
19 books31 followersJean Sheldon, born and raised in Chicago, spent the first half of her life as a fine and graphic artist. In 2004 she began another creative endeavor—writing mysteries. Her historical mystery The Woman in the Wing features women pilots (WASP) and factory workers (Rosie the Riveter) during WWII. Seven Cities of Greed involves a group of women of a 'certain age' on a quest for adventure and the mythical 'Seven Cities of Gold' in New Mexico, Jean's home for over twenty years. Mrs. Quigley's Kidnapping introduces Mattie Draper, a female detective in Chicago circa 1968, and Flowers for Her Grave is an old-fashioned whodunit in which two amateur sleuths in their early sixties, a gossip columnist and a gardener, solve a 20-year-old crime. The mystery An Uncluttered Palette is filled with art history, oil painting, forgery, and fun! She Overheard Murder, introduced the characters of the 'Nic & Nora Mystery' series—mysteries solved by lesbian amateur detectives in post-World War II Chicago. The second book of the Nic & Nora series, Puzzled by the Clues, follows both the blossoming relationship of Nic and Nora and that of Anna and Allen. Characters at the heart of the Owen gang and those on the perimeter, offer humor, wisdom, and the belief that there is always hope.
In 2015, Jean returned to her first love, and published a collection of poetry called Persistent.
In 2015, Jean returned to her first love, and published a collection of poetry called Persistent.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
January 24, 2020
I won a copy of this book during a Goodreads giveaway. I am under no obligation to leave a review or rating and do so voluntarily. So that others may also enjoy this book, I am paying it forward by donating it to my local library.
February 21, 2017
I received this book as a Goodreads giveaway and took about a year before reading it. I must say that this little book of poems brought some timely messages into a clearer focus given the times we are currently enduring. I was glad to have discovered this collection in my TBR list at this polarized time in our world. Art can soothe.
July 3, 2015
I like to read a book of poetry through at first to get a feel for the tone, like walking into a friend's house for the first time and getting a quick tour. Then I read through more slowly, lingering in the rooms that seem most welcoming or, perhaps, most foreboding. Persistent felt like a warm home, not simply a house, yet one filled with the usual ups and downs of life. I have revisited the book several times since receiving it and have found the poems/rooms in which I prefer to dwell, depending on my mood.
The language is descriptive and works to paint both a visual and an emotive picture. My favorites here have sent me back to reread Mark Strand's poem Keeping Things Whole, ponder yet again Kierkegaard's Sickness Unto Death as well as gain strength for a late life career change where I will be traveling, for me, A New Road. What all this is to say is that the poems in this collection, while representing Sheldon's vision and wonderful expression will also speak to the reader. There is even a call to global awareness with an eye toward the past, are the things that don't appear to have changed always been the same or are they occurring again? Either way, "the time is now" to affect change.
This collection will be enjoyed by not only those who already like poetry but will likely bring many over who have been hesitant to read it. Highly recommended!
Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via LibraryThing.
The language is descriptive and works to paint both a visual and an emotive picture. My favorites here have sent me back to reread Mark Strand's poem Keeping Things Whole, ponder yet again Kierkegaard's Sickness Unto Death as well as gain strength for a late life career change where I will be traveling, for me, A New Road. What all this is to say is that the poems in this collection, while representing Sheldon's vision and wonderful expression will also speak to the reader. There is even a call to global awareness with an eye toward the past, are the things that don't appear to have changed always been the same or are they occurring again? Either way, "the time is now" to affect change.
This collection will be enjoyed by not only those who already like poetry but will likely bring many over who have been hesitant to read it. Highly recommended!
Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via LibraryThing.
April 29, 2015
~Disclaimer: I received this book for free in a giveaway~
My main issue with this book is all the blank pages. Its already a very short book. But 20 blank pages?! Thats just wasteful. And potentially misleading. Plus it makes the formatting look very sloppy. So, it losses points for that.
The poems themselves cover a range of topics. I get the feeling the grief of losing a friend was very strong at the time some of these poems were written. Some poems felt like an outlet for emotions and other felt much more accessible to the average reader. The poems were a mixed bag (isn't that always the case): with some poems being very relatable and others being a little more abstract.
All and all a decent collection.
My main issue with this book is all the blank pages. Its already a very short book. But 20 blank pages?! Thats just wasteful. And potentially misleading. Plus it makes the formatting look very sloppy. So, it losses points for that.
The poems themselves cover a range of topics. I get the feeling the grief of losing a friend was very strong at the time some of these poems were written. Some poems felt like an outlet for emotions and other felt much more accessible to the average reader. The poems were a mixed bag (isn't that always the case): with some poems being very relatable and others being a little more abstract.
All and all a decent collection.
May 29, 2015
Jean Sheldon has shared her courageous journey of healing through her book, "Persistent".
Her life and her options open doors to positive, new directions.
Her poem, "At That Moment," reminds us all that when one has exhausted every possibility, a gentle hand on the heart helps one to remember we are part of the whole.
This is a recommended reading for those of us who have had painful changes; that warm healing of one's spirit is possible.
Her life and her options open doors to positive, new directions.
Her poem, "At That Moment," reminds us all that when one has exhausted every possibility, a gentle hand on the heart helps one to remember we are part of the whole.
This is a recommended reading for those of us who have had painful changes; that warm healing of one's spirit is possible.
April 23, 2015
Persistent, by Jean Sheldon, is a beautiful well written book of poetry with forty engaging poems. Each poem is a story of the persistent qualities of the human heart when it allows the heart to speak, and poetry is born. Jean Sheldon's poetry has reached my heart and hopefully will touch many others looking for poetry that is real and inspiring.
April 30, 2015
Thoroughly enjoyable poetry! I could tell right away that the author was on a journey but they were themes anyone identifies with. The language is often cheeky and makes every word enjoyable. As a geocacher I really enjoyed A New Road! Id read poetry all the time if it was like this. Left me wanting more.
I did receive this book through GoodReads FirstReads giveaway.
I did receive this book through GoodReads FirstReads giveaway.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews