Review of Unleashing the Power Within: A Journey of Self-Discovery through Poetry

[Leslie coccia]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Unleashing the Power Within: A Journey of Self-Discovery through Poetry" by Lisa McCarthy.]

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4 out of 5 stars

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“Unleashing the Power Within: A Journey of Self-Discovery Through Poetry” by Lisa McCarthy is a modern book of 88 poems and the author’s second work. Each of the poems is meant to uplift readers, with subjects that have to do with creating a positive sense of self. Some give a view into the author’s own spiritual journey.

I thoroughly enjoyed several aspects of this book. I give it a rating of 4 out of 5 stars. I really like that the book is a refreshing guide for the soul. All of the poems are inspiring, uplifting, or stir the imagination. It is easy to imagine readers finding a poem that will be exactly what they need to enliven their spirits. Each poem in the book gets its own page, which is another positive trait. Each page has its own singular spiritual focus, so nothing about the work is overwhelming. Some of the poems in McCarthy’s book, like “Aging,” and “Living, Not Just Existing,” really get to the heart of issues within modern-day society as a whole.

Later on in “Unleashing the Power Within: A Journey of Self-Discovery Through Poetry, the poems are within a story called “A Tale of Perseverance.” Readers are alongside the author on a peaceful hike through the woods. The poems give a glimpse into McCarthy’s spiritual saga. The poem “My Freedom Day” will strike a chord especially with women.

There are a couple of reasons why I give the book one less star than five. Quite a few of the writings are prose, not poetry. For the sake of accuracy, I think the title should somehow mention prose. Another reason for the rating has to do with the content of certain poems. A couple of the poems that reference God come across as preaching, such as “Finding Self-Worth in God” and “Ten Maidens.” All of the poems that mention God, with the exception of these, are uplifting and can even inspire hope. These two stir the imagination but don’t really follow the tone of the book, because they come across as directives or with an air of judgment instead of a gentle push to readers.

McCarthy’s book will appeal to readers who like spiritual self-help books. Although it is probably best suited for Christian readers due to certain of its poems, a lot of the poems have universal themes that will be appealing regardless of a reader’s religion.

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Unleashing the Power Within: A Journey of Self-Discovery through Poetry
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[Kristin Paolantonio]

Thank you for your thorough review. I am interested! I am glad you mentioned some specific titles. They sound very beneficial for daily living.

[Priya Murugesan]

Thanks for your very informative review! I didn't think it would be spiritual. I am not sure if it is my cup of tea!

[Joe Alex 2]

I really appreciate how the book focuses on self-discovery and empowerment, which seems perfect for anyone seeking positivity. I’m especially thrilled by the poem “My Freedom Day” and the way the author’s own spiritual journey is woven into the work. Despite a couple of criticisms, the overall tone of the book seems to offer a lot of value to those looking for encouragement.

[Umesh Bhatt]

Poems are a great way to present human emotions as well as inspire and motivate people in certain better ways in life. This collections appears to have done that well. Thanks for a nice review.

[Sarah Zain]

Your thorough review is great. The topic expressed in the book seems intriguing, but the religion related ones isn't my cup of tea. So I may pass.
Thank you for well written review.

[Gerry Steen]

Poems always surprise me. You don't know what your interpretation will be until you have read the poem. Because they are open to interpretation, poems can be very personal for the reader. I always gain a vison when I read a poem. Thank you for this descriptive and honest review.

[Helen Waziri]

I appreciate your note about the balance between inspiration and tone; it’s helpful to know which poems might feel a bit more didactic.