Haiku Summer

by P.J. Reed

Within the pages of P.J. Reed's gorgeous collection, Haiku Summer , you will find a magical selection of haiku which will transport you to the halcyon days of summer in the northern hemisphere. Summer is a happy season of warmth and friendship. It is the smell of BBQs - of sausages sizzling and smoke wafting across the streets. It is the sound of parties, glasses chinking, and people laughing. It is water fights in the garden and slowly deflating blow-up pools, gradually filling with grass and leaves. In Haiku Summer , P.J. Reed has captured the very essence of summer. This beautiful book of poetry will give you a happy memory of summer for every day of your life. The Haiku Seasons collection- Haiku Yellow Haiku Summer Haiku Gold Haiku Ice

136 pages, Paperback

Published May 27, 2021

About the author

P.J. Reed - writer of warlocks and other magical creatures. She also writes under the penname of Pami Reed.

P.J. Reed is a writer and poet from England. She holds a BAEd from Canterbury Christ Church University, an MA from Bradford University and has dabbled in psychology with the OU. She is an outrageously eclectic writer.
Her work has appeared in a wide variety of online and print magazines, books, collections, and podcasts. In 2015, she was shortlisted for the National Poetry Anthology award. In 2018, P.J. won the Forward Press Poetry 'Circle of Life' competition for her poem 'The Empty Chair.'
While in 2024, P.J. had the honour of being asked to write a poem as part of the UNESCO cities of Literature, 'Illustrating The World' literary exhibition.
In 2026, P.J. had the great honour of being accepted onto the Haiku Register.

Reviews

[Catherine Pratt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely LOVED this book. When you read the haikus you can actually envision the smells and feelings of summer. You can even see what the author sees. At the end of the book is the history of the haikus. Hey interesting history. You also have a glossary to help you understand what some words are. I would love to read more if P.J. Reed books.when they are available.

I have received a free copy of the book and is voluntarily leaving a review

[Raghav · Rating 5 out of 5]

A couple of reasons I may not like Haiku Summer were stacked up against it before I even started reading the first poem. For starters, P J Reed creates this dreamy version of summer in Devon that is hard for me to relate with.

Summers are hot and humid in India, huddled together with frequent power cuts and high electricity bills (yes, even after all those cuts). Then there is this sense of lethargy, I so despise, that often takes over, making me want to do nothing but sleep in the afternoon. Adding to my dislike for summers is the fact that I am not a fan of poems.

But here’s the thing. Of all the different kinds of poems there exist, haiku is what I like the best. They are short, have a Japanese origin (a bit of a Japanophile here), and leave plenty of space for individual interpretation.

As for Haiku Summer, P J Reed brilliantly managed to transport me to Devon (her inspiration), where the warm months are more vibrant and visually attractive. Her poems are subtle when they need to be and direct at other times. It’s often not difficult to picture what led the author to write the haiku, and considering she manages to do that in three lines says a lot.

Adding to the book’s charm is the little introduction to haiku at the end. The small chapter talks about the origins of the art form. There’s another chapter that provides tips on how to write haiku.

Although I went through the book in one sitting, it’s a little gem that I can see myself opening from time to time. During these re-readings, I hope to give each haiku more time. By doing so, I not only wish to travel again to a different part of the world but also use these poems as initiators for an introspective journey that might help make me love Indian summers.

Note: I received an advance review copy of this book for free. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Paige · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book in the Haiku Seasons series. I like that you can read a new poem on each day (like a calendar) during the Summer for daily inspiration. I would love if there were illustrations to go with some of the poems. I look forward to reading the other seasons.

*Provided a DRC (digital review copy) from the publisher for review. All opinions are my own.

[Jillani Birech · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love it. It's written in a very good style. I love the cover too. It's skillfully designed.

[Brian Bowyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding!

This is such an amazing book. HAIKU SUMMER enchanted me and kept me turning its pages. It's a collection to savor and return to. Highly recommended to all fans of great poetry!

[Andrew Atkinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had previously read (and reviewed - check it out) this author’s ‘Haiku Yellow’. I grabbed this volume to see if it could be as good. It, too, is a total joy, with bees wearing pollen shoes, raindrops bouncing on leaves and dandelion skeletons suggesting “wishes half blown”. Repeated in this volume but very useful and worthwhile are some details of haiku construction and history. Plus an informative glossary.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Steve Anc · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not just that the summer haiku is an interesting book, it also discussed the history of haiku as it started in Japan
Apart from the unique poems in the book, it stated what hokku is— which is the opening stanza of renga and she went ahead to discuss in dept lots of historical factors.

Sincerely, this is not just summer haiku, this is amazing and I will recommend it to anyone that loves poetry and haiku to be precise.

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC free from BookSirens and this is my voluntary honest review.
Haiku Summer takes us on a journey of all that is summer.
The very essence of summer. Captivating! Intreging!
The smells, the feels, from sunrise to sunset.
Magical! Joyful! Peaceful!
Read and allow your soul be enhanced by this vibrant season of warmth. Enjoy!

[TheBookFiend · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful collection of haiku.

[Tony · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Delightful Ode to Summer

is a breathtaking collection that perfectly captures the warmth, joy, and nostalgia of summer. Each haiku is a tiny, vivid moment—whether it’s the scent of a backyard BBQ, the sound of laughter echoing on a warm evening, or the feeling of sunshine on your skin. The simplicity of the form makes every word shine, evoking a deep sense of place and season. This book is like a little pocket of sunshine, offering a taste of summer no matter the time of year. A must-read for poetry lovers and anyone longing for brighter days!