An Instagram poet with hundreds of thousands of followers, Christopher Poindexter presents a new poetry collection themed on love in its many forms.
OLD SOUL LOVE is a combination of new, never-before-seen poetry, mixed in with some of Christopher’s most popular Instagram pieces, all of which explore the many shapes and forms of love. Unrequited love. Platonic love. Lost love. Self-love. And, for a lucky few old soul love that seems to transcend even death.
Honestly, this was not for me. I have enjoyed many stories written in verse this year, but Old Soul Love reminded me why I was so careful to get into poetry in the first place. Once in a while Poindexter hits jackpot and writes a few beautiful lines and these definitely raise the quality but most of his poems are either cringe-worthy/cheesy or seems like completely random thoughts.. I have never seen the word "love" written down so many times - not that it's a bad word or theme but it was too much. I applaud him for his confidence in his sensitive side and the way he dismisses the masculine stereotype but as a reading experience unfortunately it was pretty bland.
While I absolutely loved Naked Human, Poindexter’s previous work, this one just wasn’t for me. I’ve become rather picky when it comes to poetry and this just seemed redundant and cheesy. I’ve found too many of these Instagram poets tend to rewrite the same poems in different words, which I guess works when they’re posted individually on Instagram, but not so much when compiled into a book. I’ll pass on this one.
‘What you love You must love with the entirety of your soul.’
The cover to this collection is absolutely stunning. I definitely want to read more of Christopher Poindexter’s poetry after reading Old School Love. I can totally see how this collection in particular may be a bit cheesy for some readers whereas others may be completely smitten. This collection really is dependent upon your taste. I basically went into it expecting it to be poetry for romantics and that’s exactly what I got. The back of the book reads: “I am in the army of hopeful romantics. The holding hands, deathbed kind of love.”
I received this book as a birthday gift chosen from my wish list, and read it all on my birthday. I’m aware of Poindexter’s work through Instagram, and was given a copy of Lavender recently which I really enjoyed. I liked this one even more.
Even a cynic like me can’t fail to be drawn in by his words. This collection of poems about love is beautiful, and so many of them resonated. I suspect you have to be in love and share the emotions to truly appreciate the beauty within.
I don’t think I have ever related more with a book. Old Soul Love will be one that I keep on my shelf to read multiple times throughout the year.
The kind of love you deserve is out there, and maybe this isn’t it for some of you, but it could reshape some of the ways you think about what you deserve.
I know I spoke about Beau Taplin being an Instagram poet and his collection being a bit too mushy – and while Poindexter is definitely very mushy too, I just love Poindexter’s work.
When I got back into poetry I of course looked for modern poetry. A lot of modern poetry is indeed ‘instagram poetry’ – short poems usually on a filtered background or so. Which doesn’t mean that it can’t be good or meaningful poetry. And Poindexter shows that. I’ve always enjoyed reading his work. Which is why I was happy with Old Soul Love as it was both his old and new work – meaning I could recognise his old work – some of them being ones I really really loved.
Again, I’m not a huge fan of love poetry (I do prefer the hard-hitting poetry – which I’ve found is a lot in slam poetry). But Poindexter makes me want to go back to reading romantic poetry. When I read his poems I want to find love, to be in love with someone (and then I remember I mostly like to be alone. Or with my cat). And that’s a testament to how good of a writer he is – that he can make you feel emotions that you didn’t necessarily think you really had.
unfortunately, christopher's poetry isn't for me. while 5 or 6 poems caught my interest, i found the collection as a whole to be terribly redundant and uninteresting. it's exhausting to read about the same ideas and examinations of love in poems, and i'm actually frustrated by how many modern-day poets write about this topic. also, a lot of christopher's metaphors fell flat and didn't make much sense, which ruined my overall reading experience.
Absolutely inspiring. Many of Poindexter's poems at first seem over-simplistic but then it strikes you just how deep they go. A couple choice selections:
The universe wrote fiction in us; it's called fear ________________
We are the scientists, trying to make sense of the stars inside us.
I first stumbled upon this book in my local bookstore, Bestsellers. I briefly skimmed through the pages and only one poem stood out to me. At the time, the only work of value was that specific poem. Everything else was lackluster.
I was recently gifted the book. In contrast to my initial opinion, I now feel that it was a pleasant read overall. It was easy to digest; short and sweet.
Now, not everything in the book is superb. I think that some points could have been emphasized if he switched out a few words here and there. There were also brief, filler poems that appeared to perpetuate faux wisdom. Others were little notes to self rather than poems. I find his obsession with his late grandfather sweet in intent, but macabrely executed. There was also a jazz theme going on. Death, with a side of jazz. He threw in a brief astrological reference and I don’t know if it was a lame attempt to appeal to astro-geeks, but I couldn’t grasp the purpose. There was also a poem or two where he claims to be tender, but I think he comes off as overly sensitive and weak. For example, he claims that you don’t have the balls is starkly different to you don’t have the heart and I have to disagree because I believe that both phrases essentially equate to a lack of strength.
I sincerely enjoyed the book. I adored the way he worded certain things, making it very easy to visualize the scene. I liked how he scoured through a garden, plucking poetry. I liked how he said bury me among the pages. There was one particular poem that really drew me to the book and it was about his grandmother desperately searching for a ruby. I don’t want to give away any spoilers, but he basically said that he wanted a love like his grandparents’ and the way he wrote that poem made my heart ache for a love that goes beyond the grave. I am open to the pain if only I have the opportunity to love as they did.
Very early on in the book, on page nine, I am reminded of my favorite poet. In that poem, his use of metaphors and personification made me feel like that poem is the closest thing I may ever get to an English-speaking Neruda.
Overall, it’s a lovely read. I would definitely skim through portions of it again if I want to have my emotions played with. Although, I am unsure of if I can justify the price. Perhaps you should purchase it in e-book form or used.
The book "Old Soul Love" by Christopher Poindexter seems like a beautiful and heartfelt exploration of the various forms of love that we encounter in our lives. The combination of new and popular Instagram poetry offers a fresh perspective on love, and I am curious to see how the author explores the many different nuances of this complex emotion. The idea of "old soul love" that transcends even death is particularly intriguing and suggests a deep, spiritual connection that goes beyond the physical realm. Overall, I think this book would be a great read for anyone who is interested in exploring the different forms of love and the powerful impact it can have on our lives.
I half expected this to be cliché, recycled, very tumblr-esque and simple (unpoetic). Man was I wrong. Yet again, I am astounded by how an author, who I’d never read before, completely understands my soul and he(art). Christopher and Atticus should get together to write a book — because they’re made of the same kinda magic. All his romanticism embodiment, true poet-ness, and raw vulnerability and honesty, this was so refreshing in regards to poetry that describes poets and their art.
This book has lived both on my nightstand and in my heart for the past month, and will continue to do so for a long time to come.
Christopher's poetry is what got me into both reading and writing poetry years ago, and his words carry a raw, loving, and vulnerable truth about people and this universe.
Old Soul Love is exactly that- from the little to the big, it encapsulates what poetry means to me. It's beautifully written and I'd recommend it in a heartbeat.
So bad, I wouldn’t even refer to this as poetry, it’s literally quotes from an Instagram account that people will read and be like ‘ohhh I know that feeling’ and thus they like it, there’s no thought into any of the form or structure of his poetry, awful excuse for poetry and it’s offensive that crap like this gets called ‘poetry’. This is the ‘live laugh love’ if the poetry world and I ain’t here for it lol
I really wish Goodreads would allow half stars. This is better than other poetry books I have rated 3 stars, but not as good as some that got 4. It is right there in the middle of mediocrity for me.
I was hoping to read a little more from this author, but it sounds like some of his other work, has some of the same writing in it. Makes it tough to justify the time and money commitment.
I absolutely loved Christopher Poindexter’s book ‘Lavender’ but while I did enjoy reading this one, I didn’t get into it as much. Maybe it was the themes in this one, although I did like how it was sectioned off by types of love. It was a nice book to flip through and read a few poems before clocking in to work or going to bed.
Torn between one and two stars. But I am willing to acknowledge the fact that I am slightly jaded and bitter when it comes to most things having to do with romance, so I gave it the two stars.
A lot of cliches. A lot of love. Sure, there were some really well written poems, and certain lines were truly beautiful. But this collection was just not for me.
There are some pieces that really resonate in this collection. There are also a few pieces that read like an essay. I enjoyed this collection for the pieces I really felt deeply, but there were not a lot of pieces that really sparked a reaction out of me. Overall, this is a nice collection of words.
Old Soul Love by @christopherpoindexter is so underrated. It deserves more recognition because not only all the poetries are raw, they are also filled with so much love and wisdom. When I read this book, it makes me want to be kinder, do more good to others, see more loves in everything. A wonderful way to start my day with a new way of seeing the world.
A beautiful way to end the year. A reminder to myself that my softness is strength; my feelings are big and that’s okay; that I’m not the only one that longs for connection, understanding, and love. Many of these poems are short but impactful-you don’t need a lot of words to convey the essence of how you feel.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for an arc. This collection was so raw, so honest about connecting to your feelings, and staying true to you. It was incredible and several of the poems made me tear up.
Very beautifully expressed. Though simple and relatable yet it was a pleasure to read the words we are already aware of . It reminds you of the feelings you once had for someone, something, anything.
Christopher Poindexter has such a romantic way of writing that reminds me of how powerful love can be. He expresses those emotions in a way that is so powerful to me. I truly love this book and flip through it often.
Know that I love you, that I have always loved you, in ways that go without saying, in seasons that tease you to give up, at your worst, at my worst, I love you, I have never needed a reason. Simply your existence is reason enough.
Disclaimer: I received a free Digital Advance Reader Copy (ARC) of Old Soul Love from Andrews McMeel Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Full review will be shared closer to publication date!
Please note that this book occasionally references mature themes and could be better suited for adults.