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Just Take Five
Poetry for any mood.
A classic coffee table read for those moments of rest in a hectic world.
With poems that invite reflection, a laugh or a tear, this emotional collection takes the reader on an inspirational journey through its five themes of creativity, nature, time, community and self-discovery.
Karen's words weave together the connections that we make in life. The perfect read for when you find the time to Just Take Five.
A classic coffee table read for those moments of rest in a hectic world.
With poems that invite reflection, a laugh or a tear, this emotional collection takes the reader on an inspirational journey through its five themes of creativity, nature, time, community and self-discovery.
Karen's words weave together the connections that we make in life. The perfect read for when you find the time to Just Take Five.
103 pages, ebook
About the author
Karen Honnor
13 books14 followersI live in Sutton, Surrey, with my husband, Stuart and a furry cockapoo called Gizmo. Our two children are now grown-up and pursuing their careers and hobbies alongside their partners, our son still at home and our daughter recently moved out to the south coast.
I worked in Primary education for 27 years but have now closed my classroom door to focus on writing and my family. Since taking the plunge into the world of writing full time I have developed my blog commenting upon life as I see it, written a couple of magazine pieces and am now about to publish my seventh book. My writing is giving me an opportunity to talk about the challenges of midlife and mental health. By being part of the conversation, I am helping women to feel empowered.
My memoir and poetry chapbooks received great reviews, giving me the impetus to announce the publication of my first fiction: 'Unravelling - A Tale of Strength, Love and Dementia.' I am especially proud of this book and the response it has got.
Now I have a new poetry collection out - ‘An Imposter Whispers’ with poems mapping out a journey of self-discovery. This book explores themes of nature, motherhood, time and change, and has been praised for its restorative qualities.
I worked in Primary education for 27 years but have now closed my classroom door to focus on writing and my family. Since taking the plunge into the world of writing full time I have developed my blog commenting upon life as I see it, written a couple of magazine pieces and am now about to publish my seventh book. My writing is giving me an opportunity to talk about the challenges of midlife and mental health. By being part of the conversation, I am helping women to feel empowered.
My memoir and poetry chapbooks received great reviews, giving me the impetus to announce the publication of my first fiction: 'Unravelling - A Tale of Strength, Love and Dementia.' I am especially proud of this book and the response it has got.
Now I have a new poetry collection out - ‘An Imposter Whispers’ with poems mapping out a journey of self-discovery. This book explores themes of nature, motherhood, time and change, and has been praised for its restorative qualities.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
October 12, 2022
I love Karen Honnor's Poetry. This is a fab collection of relatable stuff that will make you laugh (Coffee Corner) bring a tear to your eye (The Girl with the Candy Striped Hair) smile and nod along. This collection is a celebration of five years split into the themes that spill from her poetry. Themes we might see in our own lives, especially us fellow poets of a certain age uh umm.
With simple words I can see the world from the poet's perspective. This is the best one yet - I'm rereading it cover to cover and that is a very rare thing for me - the books I've done this with I can count on my hands and it's only the second poetry book I've ever reread completely. I have the eBook and the paperback. Bravo! Keep poeting. (oh and you get your Lily 6 stars of course).
With simple words I can see the world from the poet's perspective. This is the best one yet - I'm rereading it cover to cover and that is a very rare thing for me - the books I've done this with I can count on my hands and it's only the second poetry book I've ever reread completely. I have the eBook and the paperback. Bravo! Keep poeting. (oh and you get your Lily 6 stars of course).
October 14, 2022
‘Nature often soothes me,’ Karen Honnor tells us, and this is clear from the themes that rise up within her poetry.
She notes ‘Nature’s Healing Power’ as one of her five sections of this collection, but in fact, I found there was something elemental in many of the poems here. In the first section, ‘Write Here, Write Now,’ she explores the process of writing itself – and the joy of words – but the language is described as ‘flowing’ and streaming, and while there was much mention of sitting, there is also exploring, breathing, feeling. I felt like I had stepped into Narnia with the vivid descriptions and talk of notes, words, dancing – not least in ‘Let Me Sit’: ‘The book shop offers stillness, while outside the door the world keeps swirling.’
While Karen Honnor’s poems can be lyrical, they are also relatable and accessible. ‘Twilight Beckoning’ and ‘Escape to the Sea’, for example, express sentiments many of us can relate to, and ‘Coffee Corner’ was humorous and warm, and reminded me of a Kirsty MacColl song.
This is, as she advises, a collection to dip in and out of, to use to find moments of peace. I personally implore you to read the foreword and the snippets dotted throughout the book. I found these little touches sincere and warm, adding to the authenticity of the work.
There is something very touching and personal about Just Take Five. ‘Beyond the brain fog, I want to shout, I am still here,’ she tells us, and she has certainly succeeded in conjuring herself within the book and allowing us to step inside to join her. I look forward to walking with her again, as I dip in and out of this book, for time to come.
She notes ‘Nature’s Healing Power’ as one of her five sections of this collection, but in fact, I found there was something elemental in many of the poems here. In the first section, ‘Write Here, Write Now,’ she explores the process of writing itself – and the joy of words – but the language is described as ‘flowing’ and streaming, and while there was much mention of sitting, there is also exploring, breathing, feeling. I felt like I had stepped into Narnia with the vivid descriptions and talk of notes, words, dancing – not least in ‘Let Me Sit’: ‘The book shop offers stillness, while outside the door the world keeps swirling.’
While Karen Honnor’s poems can be lyrical, they are also relatable and accessible. ‘Twilight Beckoning’ and ‘Escape to the Sea’, for example, express sentiments many of us can relate to, and ‘Coffee Corner’ was humorous and warm, and reminded me of a Kirsty MacColl song.
This is, as she advises, a collection to dip in and out of, to use to find moments of peace. I personally implore you to read the foreword and the snippets dotted throughout the book. I found these little touches sincere and warm, adding to the authenticity of the work.
There is something very touching and personal about Just Take Five. ‘Beyond the brain fog, I want to shout, I am still here,’ she tells us, and she has certainly succeeded in conjuring herself within the book and allowing us to step inside to join her. I look forward to walking with her again, as I dip in and out of this book, for time to come.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews