Spine Poems: An Eclectic Collection of Found Verse for Book Lovers

by Annette Dauphin Simon

A charming, clever, and original collection of more than 100 spine poems--a popular form of found poetry composed by arranging book spines--illustrated with 110 full-color photographs.

Easy to create and share online, spine poems--also known as "collage poems" or "centos"--have become a fun and popular way of writing poetry. Spine Poems is a delightful, illustrated collection of more than 100 spine poems that range from hilarious to heart-rending to profound.

Award-winning creative director and former bookseller Annette Simon has arranged the poems in categories that resemble those found in a bookstore: Art, Biography and Memoir, Business, Cooking, Home and Garden, Music, Parenting, Philosophy, Politics, Pop Culture, and True Crime. Each poem pulls from a wide variety of book genres and ranges from the short and quippy to long and poignant.

Genres: Poetry, Nonfiction, Books About Books

224 pages, Hardcover

Published September 6, 2022

Reviews

[Einar Jensen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spine Poems, a weird, groovy, amazing book by Annette Dauphin Simon, is a combination of trivia, quotations, and photographs of book spines that create poems. The author stumbled on these poems while working at a bookstore, then started creating her own alignments. As a book nerd, I loved the combinations. The collection of trivia and quotations was distracting at times because connections could be tenuous the print was tiny.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun and clever spine poems (poetry made by using stacked book titles). This was even more fun for me since I recognize so many of the books. This would be a nice gift for someone who loves books and wordplay.

[Sabi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the idea and appreciate the effort by the author. But, I only really liked a handful of poems/title settings.

Still, it's a nice read if you want something in between heavy books! 3.5 Stars

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

Amusing poems created using book spines = something I see pretty much every day as a librarian. Also includes bookish quotes, but they aren’t really necessary so I skipped reading them.

[Zibby Owens · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a collection of more than 100 spine poems. A spine poem is when you stack books on top of the other so that when you read the titles from top to bottom, it tells a poem or story. It's one thing to play around with a stack of books you put together late at night, but this author had the fantastic idea to turn it into a book based on different topics.

This book is also illustrated with 110 gorgeous, full-color photographs. The spine poems are clever. One says, "Pretending. Here for It. To Tell You the Truth. Sometimes I Lie." The table contains fiction, poetry, nonfiction, parenting, philosophy, and more. In parenting: "Say What You Will. Children Make Terrible Pets." This is so great. It's just so cool. "You Are Here. Home at Last. Our Story Begins."

To listen to my interview with the author, go to my podcast at:
https://www.momsdonthavetimetoreadboo...

[Terrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fun book! I've long been intrigued by the idea of spine thoughts/poetry and someone was actually smart enough to publish one! It helps to be a bookstore owner with access to your shelves to make these amazing poems. And clever and thought provoking as the poetry is, the quotes and researched trivia tidbits that support the theme of the poems are extraordinary, informative, and so fun. They add a great layer of interest to what could have been just a pretty, clever, coffee table book.

Definitely recommended for the book lover! (and it would make a terrific gift!)

Challenges tagged:
Bookish about books: 3/10
Nonfiction: 3/9
Library Love: 27/65+
COYER 1st chapter: 37 books read

[Diane B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very clever colllection.

I really liked the concept of taking various book titles to create new meaning, and photographing the spines to illustrate. Books chosen range from classics, to best sellers, to how-to's, to shelf remainders.

When the book is spread open, one side will have the spine poem while the other is filled with quotes from books or references and fun facts. For example 'Geoffrey Chaucer, author of the Canterbury Tales, was the first author to use the word "twitter" - in 1392.'

The kind of book you can open to any page and find something to delight or tease.

[Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! The poetry was quirky, sometimes thought-provoking, sometimes silly. Amongst the poetry, there are tidbits of interesting facts, quotes by authors, & passages from books. This is a definite read whether you are a poetry reader or not.

[Clare · Rating 3 out of 5]

Using book titles to write poems Ms. Simon creates some interesting poetry. Along with the poems, on the opposite side of book are quotes and facts related to that poem. My only negative comment would be that those quotes and facts are written in small print so I occasionally had a hard time reading them. (Thank goodness for magnifying glasses).
This book seems like it would have taken a tremendous amount of time to assemble and I appreciate the effort involved. I thought I'd try my hand at writing a small poem using book titles I have read and it took me a bit to come up with:
The Long Walk
Down the Great Unknown
Into the Silence
Catch Me If You Can
This made me realize even more how much work went into this book.

[Robert Zimmermann · Rating 2 out of 5]

There were a few gems. Most of the poems weren't amazing, though. I've "written" many book spine poems myself. It's not easy. I've made many that have the shortcomings I found in this book. They often don't end even then should to be more powerful. Or they just seem clever and fall flat. Again, it's not as easy as it seems to stack books and make a poem. This collection just had more mediocre peoms than it did enjoyable and/or meaningful, impactful poems.

[TallieReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this as part of a Goodreads Giveaway! What a cute collection. Short and sweet spine poems with lovely photos on every page. You can read this in one sitting easily. Very cute for all my poetry and book lovers. This is a perfect coffee table book for all my book lovers. I also love that you can find different book recommendations from the titles used. A lot I had read, a lot I had not, but overall such an adorable, whimsical read.

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic! I loved this one! I "found" it when I received a postcard advertising it at work. A librarian perk! ;) Each two-page spread features a spine poem on one side and three to five book quotes and/or fun facts on the other side. A highly visual book, my little description here doesn't do it justice. But I will say that I took the time to read every page... I found each one delightful and clever. I also think this could be a good gift for a bibliophile.

[Julianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is something about books and art and poetry and creativity. There is something about taking something that already exists and twisting it into something new. I love creative expression, and the amazing things it can lead to. I love how someone’s creativity can inspire someone else, in this domino effect, where it just continues to give and grow and blossom. This was such a treat of a book, lots of fun, a little cringey, and an absolute delight.

[Moriah Georges · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite book of poetry this year (so far anyway). A bright and aesthetic collection of poems that exhibit wit, charm, and joy in varying measure. Simon has shown me a lovely and comforting way to engage in found poetry and celebrate the art of words.

"After the Wreck, I Picked Myself Up,
Spread My Wings, And Flew Away
Unbroken
Undaunted
Untamed"

-from the Biography and Memoir Section

[Joseph Simmonds · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think I've finally found it, the perfect coffee table book for literature lovers. By carefully stacking unique assortments of books together and then photographing their spines, Annette Dauphin Simon has created a beautiful collection of artistic poems. Interspersed with an eclectic assortment of quotes, commentary, and trivia, this books is a conversation starter, a thought-provoker, and a piece of literary art.

[Sara Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is amazing! I like the way that poems were created by book titles. I found myself noting books that I’ve read and adding so many more to my list that I want to read. I really liked the how on the side were quotes and information about books and authors. I had no idea that a book on spine poems could be so interesting!

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super drawn to this in the bookstore and thought it would be an excellent coffee table book. The poems are accompanied by curated quotes and factual tidbits that tie into the poem or into one of the books used or one of the authors or just a random linguistic or punctuation anecdote that is perfect if you just love books.

[Courtney · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the concept of spine poems but not the execution.

My relationship with poetry can be kinda iffy. I don’t feel like two lines is a poem, feels like a fragment. Some of the quotes and factoids were fascinating, others were seemingly random —although it’s entirely possible that I just missed the connection — while others still just weren’t interesting and come off as ‘filler’.

[Eco · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a random library find that I will be buying for my bookshelf.

What is there not to love? First off, it is poetry. Second, it is a “Want to read” list. Third, it satisfies the inner Cliff Clavin with random factoids.

[Caitlin Saunders · Rating 5 out of 5]

The coffee table book you didn't know you needed! There is something in there for everyone! Purchased MANY of these for my clients as Christmas gifts and they were thrilled!

Would love to see a children's spine poems???!!!

[Jules · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was enjoyable ^_^

The poems are cute and the author adds lots of little tidbits of history, etymology, and just other general quotes on the opposite page.

[Rachel C. Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting take on poetry that I didn't know existed until now. I really enjoyed the tidbits of quotes and information with each spine poem.

[Pamela Ellis · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Cynthia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intriguing, fun, quick, yet, it stays with me as I look at the stacks of books sitting waiting to be read.

[Kim Neessen · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love poetry, books and a good quote (basically, words), then you’ll love this delightful find! I just returned it to the library and plan to buy my own copy.

[Georgetowner · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun little novelty book of a collection of spine poems, a fascinating literary hobby I knew nothing about! Some of the poems are surprisingly good!

[Kathy Megaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would rate this book with more than 5 stars if I could! Some people are just so gifted with creativity, talent, cleverness, wisdom... you get the idea. I loved it!

[Benjamin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm stretching the definition of poetry here, but I'm going to put this on my poetry shelf.

[Rachel Sulik]

This is a super cool and creative idea. I liked how the poems were categorized and all the information next to the poem.

[Marcia McLaughlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun read. She has lots of interesting quotes & facts next to her poems, which are created by book titles. There are photos of the spines of the books, hence the title of the book.