Postcards
Faith, or lack thereof. Love, or something like it. Death in the world of medicine. The impact of childhood memories.
In this universal yet intimate collection, Jo Taylor applies her skilled and gentle hand to pen deeply lyrical verses, offering poignant observations of everything from relationships that weren’t meant to be, to sentiments on the meaning of faith, from an ode to a cherished baseball glove, to her years navigating life, death, and grief as an ER nurse. In her short stories, we are inspired by a blind artist, touched by a serendipitous pocket angel; our emotions are tapped as an elderly woman embraces her mortality, as a husband grapples with the eternal resting place of his young wife’s ashes. Filled with the tender wisdom of a writer who has experienced the fragility of life, each installment in this collection is visceral and stirring, provoking questions and honest reflection through the author’s candid yet compassionate lens.
Symmetry is beauty
found in flower, nautilus, and human face . . .
Beauty is in the familiar and the divine,
So, too, we find in faces the match to self or God.
And, so too, such beauty sparks thoughtful interpretation on every page of Postcards.
Author: Jo Taylor
Publication Date: 30 July 2024
"This is an author at the top of her craft, an author who imbues each piece of writing with precise use of technique and powerfully emotional narratives. As an example of the poetry-and-fiction collection, this book might very well stand as an exemplary text that would behoove students of both genres to read."
—Stephen Dudas for Reedsy Discovery
"An amazing read that offers valuable life lessons and a deeper understanding of the human experience. . . . [Jo's] ability to craft a narrative that draws the reader in and keeps them captivated is a testament to her skill as a writer. . . . a must-read for anyone looking for a thought-provoking and emotionally resonant literary experience."
—Doreen Chombu for Readers' Favorite
"Immerse yourself in a captivating collection of observational poetry and slice-of-life stories with Postcards . . . one of those rare collections that will appeal to a broad spectrum of readers from pretty much any background. I recommend you not miss out on this one!"
—Pikasho Deka for Readers' Favorite
"Poet and author Jo Taylor has a rare gift. . . . Equally adept at free verse, rhyming, and metered poetic forms, as well as the short story, Taylor moves seamlessly from one to the next in adroit and often surprising ways. . . . For a truly engaging and artfully diversified reading experience, Postcards is a sure winner."
—Golder Hazelton for Readers' Favorite
"[Jo's] needle-art reflections mirror her thoughts on life, her perspective of all that matters, and thoughtful inspirational interpretation of everything that was, is, and perhaps will be. . . . a literary collage of thoughts and memories that will have readers thinking more deeply about their own postcard moments. . . . . a book that needs to be savored over time."
—Emily-Jane Hills Orford for Readers' Favorite
"Read along and be enthralled . . . Postcards has a melodic ring as [Jo] lets us into her world. . . . Appreciating the beautiful things around us we take for granted is one theme that runs through the entire anthology . . . which showcases a lovely harmony between poetry and prose."
—Essien Asian for Readers' Favorite