I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

Author H.M. Gooden presents a collection of poetry and prose that examines life during the pandemic of 2020 in the book “Poetry in a Pandemic Volume I: Changes”. 

The Synopsis

2020 was a year that changed life as we know it.

In this collection of poetry and prose, Gooden explores her longing for more than her daily routine as she makes her way through a “once in a lifetime” world event.

In the middle of turmoil, she creates magic in the mundane as she examines her life in an honest, poignant, and often irreverent way.

As she reflects on life and all it encompasses through her perspective as a healthcare worker, she proves there can be light even in the darkest of days.

The Review

This was a compelling and captivating read. The author did an incredible job of not only capturing the atmosphere and emotional state of the world during this horrific time but also of the hope and experiences that brought this author’s experiences to life perfectly. 

I thoroughly enjoyed the formatting and personal nature of these poems. The way the author formatted these pieces to follow a certain path that showcased the author’s life in the first year of the pandemic was an inspired choice, reading these poems showcases the experience of enduring this pandemic as time goes on. The emotional weight of these poems really highlighted the author’s experiences, as did the imagery that went into these poems.

The Verdict

Heartfelt, engaging, and thoughtful, author H.M. Gooden’s “Poetry in a Pandemic Volume 1: Changes” is a must-read collection of poetry and a great psychological and emotional look into the mindset of someone who lived through the 2020 pandemic. The heart and thought that went into these poems and the artistry that went into the writing of these poems made this a must-read book. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

About the Author

H. M. Gooden has been scribbling on everything since she first learned how to hold a pencil. While often told that her handwriting was atrocious, she persisted, and upon discovering computers and learning how to type, she realized that she was no longer limited by her (admittedly) messy writing.

Unfortunately, life, work, and family have conspired to make it only possible to write in the wee hours or at coffee shops, so most of her love of reading and writing are indulged at times when only vampires and insomniacs abound.

In October of 2017, her love of writing and the characters in the world she created burst into public view in her first book, Dream of Darkness, which follows the adventures of a group of girls fighting evil with abilities that H. M. Gooden would love to have.

When not writing fantasy, H. M. Gooden writes non-fiction pieces exploring the emotions and situations that arise in her day job as a rural family doc. As a result, 4 am has never been busier, but she wouldn’t have it any other way.

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