Title: Deeper Into the Pond
Subtitle: A Celebration of Femininity
Award: Bronze Medal from Military Writers Society of America
Authors: Carolyn Howard-Johnson and Magdalena Ball
Artwork: Jacquie Schmall
ISBN: 9781461159384
Available in print and as ebook on Amazon
Reviewed by Carolyn Wilhelm originally for Midwest Book Review
The Celebration Series of Poetry Chapbooks covers many aspects of life, seasons, and holidays. Deeper into the Pond: A Celebration of Femininity is about life as experienced and thought of by women. Poetry would be the perfect Mother's Day gift for critical thinkers.
As Howard-Johnson writes, progress has been made in women's lives while not in an orderly fashion. Progress isn't always in a straight line. Younger women do not realize what has been achieved. As Howard-Johnson writes:
"Let us be measured
Not for height or at the hip
But for our roles."
Howard Johnson's poems are about topics like a midlife crisis, narcissism, and her closet as a psychological profile. Hmmm, yes, closets (clothes) reveal much. I have never thought of writing a poem about such thoughts. She says memory has two voices which is a profound statement.
Ball writes of Lady Godiva and her mother burning a bra and how the word freedom is misused. She writes about hypergraphia (who knew?) and compulsion. A brave woman has her wig blowing in the wind due to cancer, a discarded dress in a landfill, and Jupiter's moons are other topics she addresses. Not everyday conversation!
The book offers readers much to contemplate and appreciate.
More About the Reviewer
MORE ABOUT MIDWEST BOOK REVIEW
Midwest Book Review has been a staple review site (and review opportunity) since the early days of the computer (by my memory). They send letters like this to the author whose book has been reviewed. And to their extensive newsletter list. Notice that it gives permission to reprint which allows author, publisher, reviewer, and even readers to republish credited reviews. This one includes a slightly update version of Carolyn Wilhelm's review of the featured book in this post along with other information about the Midwest Book Review's free book review website and its satalites. So, if you are a reader thinking about reviewing, you may easily contact him with the information in this addendum to Carolyn Wilhelm's review. (I have copied the email verbatim.). If you are an author thinking about upping your marketing game with more and better reviews, you may submit either paper or ebooks to him according to his guidelines.
Caveat: Only paper copy reviews are recommended by the author of this blog on the basis of their being free). See more about the reasons why I take this stance in my How to Get Great Book Reviews Frugally and Ethically (bit.ly/GreatBkReviews).
Note: I have deleted the review that Cox included in his letter. It is in the original post of this book. See it above.
"Dear Carolyn:
"I'm very pleased to announce that the April 2021 issue of our online book review magazine "Reviewer's Bookwatch" features a review of "Deeper into the Pond":
"Reviewer's Bookwatch: April 2021
James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
Midwest Book Review
278 Orchard Drive, Oregon, WI 53575
[
http://www.midwestbookreview.com/rbw/apr_21.htm#carolynwilhelm. Or scroll back to the first part of this post.]
"Additionally, this review will be archived on our Midwest Book Review website for the next five years at http://www.midwestbookreview.com
"Incidentally, we have amended our bylaws to allow authors and publishers who want to make a gesture of support and appreciation for what we try to do here at the Midwest Book Review to donate postage stamps "for the cause".
"So if you'd like to send U.S. stamps, a check, a money order, or a PayPal contribution as a donation to our Midwest Book Review postage stamp fund, please feel free (but not obligated!). Our designated email address for accepting PayPal gifts is
"SupportMBR@aol.com
"Please note, the SupportMBR email address is not used for correspondence.
"I look forward to your next title!
"James A. Cox
Editor-in-Chief
Midwest Book Review
278 Orchard Drive
Oregon, WI, 53575, USA"
