Little Book of Verse by Claire Buss

The discovery of a new author reminds me of a Christmas surprise and a birthday party all rolled into one. Well, if I celebrated holidays or cared about my birthday, but bear with my analogy please. So, based on my past recollection of those holiday delights, I throw myself between the pages of a new book without hesitancy -- most of the time. 

Certainly, there are times when I'm pleasantly shocked by my appreciation of a new author's hard work spread out across the pages of 21st Century Literature. Timothy Hammer's Peripheral Vision is one such book that twisted my perspective on a good horror story. I still hold to my review and rating with perplexed speechlessness. 

Poetry is another area of passion my soul delights in, and you might recall my impressed, no-holds-barred review of Lester Meyer's heart-stopping poetry collection, 100 Poems for 100 Voices. Such a talented voice, and I'm still feeling from my read-through of his visceral imagery.

Now, I'm taking a new look at Indie Author Claire Buss, and her recently released poetry book, Little Book of Verse. My, my, my, this British author has a voice of her own as she reveals her inner perceptions, interpretations, and convictions about life. Once again, I have found an author that is sharing a revealing mixture of her soul, and I am hooked within its web.

First, a little information about the lovely Claire Buss and her works of imagination:

Claire Buss is a multi-genre author and poet based in the UK. She wanted to be Lois Lane when she grew up but work experience at her local paper was eye-opening. Instead, Claire went on to work in a variety of admin roles for over a decade but never felt quite at home. An avid reader, baker and Pinterest addict Claire won second place in the Barking and Dagenham Pen to Print writing competition in 2015 with her debut novel, The Gaia Effect, setting her writing career in motion. She continues to write passionately and is hopelessly addicted to cake.

You can follow her on Twitter @grashopper2407, Facebook.com/busswriter and visit her website www.cbvisions.weebly.com for more information about Claire and her writing.

All her books are available in eBook and paperback on Amazon at tinyurl.com/ClaireBussBooks

Here's my breakdown on Little Book of Verse, and I hope it sparks your interest in poetry and a new-to-me author.

Numeric Breakdown:

1: didn't like it
2: it was okay
3. liked it
4. really liked it
5. it was amazing


1. Writing Style: 5/5
Sometimes I find I relate to the most obscure messages, and other times, I prefer to be wooed into a world of simplicity and the vivid images of life at its best or its most mundane. The writing style of Claire Buss in this poetry book represents a rhyming couplet, but also the voice of a mother and woman making her way through the world. I like the easy flow of her language, symbolism, and mental images.


2. Overall Content: 5/5
This is a straightforward narrative given in short lines of emotion and interpretation of motherhood, the daily dish of her inner world, and the attraction of her outer world in England. The chronicle of beginning her life with her newborn in "Late Night Delivery" to "Six Weeks Old" to "Silencing Your Sound" make her joy, excitement, and exhaustion apparent. Parents and mothers can relate to these instances in a nostalgic form.

"Six Weeks Old" made me totally lol (laugh out loud) because I could picture her meaning so very clearly. I might not have kiddos of my own, but I have watched nieces and nephews since I was twelve, and I know what the sound of screaming, crying, and constant need are like. This poem certainly hit a true chord within my soul.

The author's ability to include the reader in her life with the words each poem paints into pictures speaks volumes. Her time with her child, meshing with her world, in "Riding the Train" gives you a glance into the England train system and creates a precious space on an otherwise monotonous, unappreciated moment.

There's a sense of self the poet gives to us in her narration of such poems as "ICE," "Summer Ghosts," "I Am Tired," "My Life," "Pain," and "My Feet Hurt" where you get a cohesive interaction with Claire's 3D feelings, emotions, and views on life. Her voice is clever, unique, and has a lovely British accent you can feel through the pages.

I certainly connect with the later poems the most and see myself in the shoes in which she is walking. Her content is substantial, corporeal, and earnest. They're short and to the point, but they give off an unfeigned realism, and it's wonderful to read authentic poetry that I can personally relate to in many forms.


3. Hooks/Attention-kept: 4/5
Definitely a sharp back and forth contrast between her personal journey and the interactions of being a mother. I felt hooked and read the poetry novella in one short setting. They're appealing, observant poems, and the reader will find them to be straight-forward and no nonsense.

The symbolism expressed in "New World" is terrifyingly accurate and beautiful in its imagery and suggestions of daily life. I think it's one of my absolute favorite poems in the entire book, and it gives the reader the chance to think and interpret their own meaning. There is a balance between the quick and easy-to-picture lines and those of other poems that are more provocative in their allowance for interpretation.


4. Overall enjoyment of the story based on the genre: 5/5
The genres or categories of this poetry collection were right up my line of reading enjoyment. I'm completely on board with poetry that reveals more of someone else's views on life, love, and parenthood. Being classified as British poetry and Women's poetry were both great fits and didn't deceive me on the type of content I would be reading. It was a pleasure to see through the eyes of another poetry artist.


5. Overall enjoyment of the story based on the content: 5/5
The poetry was concrete, and several pieces were easy to imagine and place myself in the same weary shoes as the author. I loved Buss's internal optimism which she clearly portrays in the last poem, "Spring Has Sprung!"

My interpretations and relationship with the poetry might be different from other readers, of course, but I hope that with every opportunity to read new material and find out more about the authors behind the stories, that readers will indeed take the time to do both. The overall content was effortless to read, simple but reassuring in its camaraderie.


6. Overall Story Rating: 5/5
In this instance, I can say with clear confidence that the poetry I read, expected to read, and hoped to read was in evidence within this tiny treasure. It's always a divertissement to engross yourself into someone else's way of living, thinking, and being. I enjoyed spending my time in the same mental space as Author Claire Buss, and I enjoyed her use of the rhyming couplet as well as her international voice. Kudos to her on her writing journey and this snippet of poetry delight. This is why I will be happy to bust out the 5/5 rating.

You can also check out Claire's newest fiction read The Interspecies Poker Tournament: The Roshaven Case Files No. 27. Ned Spinks, Chief Thief-Catcher, has a new case. A murderous moustache-wearing cult is killing off members of Roshaven's fae community. At least that's what he's been led to believe by his not-so-trusty sidekick, Jenni the sprite. She has information she's not sharing but plans to get her boss into the Interspecies Poker Tournament so he can catch the bad guy and save the day. If only Ned knew how to play!

The Interspecies Poker Tournament, Case 27 of The Roshaven Files, is a humorous fantasy novella following the adventures of Ned Spinks and Jenni, a prequel to The Rose Thief. If you loved Terry Pratchett's Discworld, you'll love.

Thanks for joining me, and as always, Happy Reading!!

~Rebecca Reddell