Not Afraid to Be Real: A Poetry Collection [Paperback]

Maranda Russell (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 11, 2012

More than just a poetry collection, "Not Afraid to Be Real" is a raw, honest, down-to-earth look at what it is like to be human. Within these pages you will find poems representing a wide variety of subjects, including the ups and downs of romantic love, the everyday frustrations we all face and the overwhelming grief felt by those who have lost a loved one. Of course, there are some lighter, more humorous poems to lighten the mood as well, so go ahead and dive in!

Product Details

• Paperback: 62 pages
• Publisher: Mirror Publishing (July 11, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1612251439
• ISBN-13: 978-1612251431
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.5 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,959,874 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Maranda Russell (1982-?) was born in Muncie, Indiana, but now resides near Dayton, Ohio. She is a children's author and book reviewer, a foster parent, a part-time substitute teacher and an enthusiastic lover of cereal and ice cream. She currently writes stories for children based on the experience she has gained as a teacher, foster parent and former child. Of course, the "former" part is questionable since this author still enjoys indulging her "inner child" on a regular basis.

To find out more about this author, her books and the daily challenges of being a writer and a foster parent, please visit her website, www.marandarussell.com.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Poetry on life's way August 1, 2012

By James Giles

Format:Paperback

With Maranda Russell's `Not Afraid to be Real', the idea of poetry as therapy and guidance comes alive. The poems in this collection are written for teenagers and young adults. They are aimed at helping them to face and deal with the feelings they will experience in daily life: the joys of love, the everyday turmoils, the loneliness of loss and death, the inspiration of creativity, and the fun of humour.

Russell achieves her goal, I feel, by fully opening herself to the reader. Her honesty and keen sense of self-observation serve to invite the reader to look also inward, to accept his or her feelings, and to pursue his or her desires. For example, in a poem entitled, `The Living Dead', she describes how people can seek to stifle a child's dreams, to turn the child away from pursuing its path. In another called `Lightning Bugs', she portrays how some relationships can tempt one to bask in the other person's light, rather than achieve one's own. In these and other poems the poet subtly encourages the reader to be true to himself or herself and to be `not afraid to be real'.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Truthful Poetry Beyond the Pain of Life July 30, 2012

By L.M. Young

Format:Paperback

I thoroughly enjoyed the message that Ms. Russell conveyed within her poetry. I found each poem to be rich in truth; this is not always easy for a writer. When a writer is this honest, they will risk people not accepting the message of the writers craft.
The poems were rich in emotion and circumstance. I especially enjoyed the poem "The Living Dead". I hope that everyone gets an opportunity to read her book!!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Poetry you can understand July 29, 2012

By Margaret L. Fieland

Format:Kindle Edition

Maranda Russel has a gift for stating an emotional premise and leading the reader, verse by verse, to the concise emotional conclusion, and the subjects of these poems -- from everyday struggles to love to death -- will surely speak to teens and adults alike. Russell's straightforward style make these poems easy to understand. I heartily recommend this fine collection.