Blue California Sky

BookView Review Recommended Read
Reader Views Five Star Review

Author: B. L. Bruce
Publisher: Finishing Line Press
Publication Date:
October 18, 2024
Format: Trade Paperback
ISBN (Trade Paperback): 979-8888387580
Page Count: 42
BISAC Categories: 
POE023030 POETRY / Subjects & Themes / Nature 
POE023010 POETRY / Subjects & Themes / Death, Grief, Loss 
POE023040 POETRY / Subjects & Themes / Places 
POE024000 POETRY / Women Authors 
Publisher’s Website: www.finishinglinepress.com

Blue California Sky is both homage to the varied and rich landscapes of California and poignant glimpses into the human experience: grief, trauma, loss, change, and also love, joy, wonder, and connection—to one’s self, to others, and to the natural world. Expressed in accessible yet poetic prose, the poems in Blue California Sky are haunting, lyrical, and powerful. 

Included in the collection is poem “Once each year,” nominated for a Pushcart Prize in 2022 and winner of the 2023 Los Gatos Poetry Contest awarded by the town’s poet laureate, in addition to three poems featured in the Fevers of the Mind Poetry Showcase in August of 2023. 

“A ruminative look at grief and our lives through the small moments of nature.” — Kristine Eckart, Independent Book Review 

“A gorgeous collection that brims with sagacity and compassion; haunting and beautiful.” The Praries Book Review 

“A stunner.” BookView Review

“Thoughtful, engaging, and arresting.” Jennifer Jackson, Indies Today

Reading of “In the Beginning” from Blue California Sky

What readers are saying about Blue California Sky by B. L. Bruce

PRAISE FOR Blue California Sky
 

“Spoken in meditative prose poetry, award-winning Bruce’s latest work is an ode to life’s acuity. She captures the poignancy of grief and provokes reflection on those defining moments that render us forever changed. . . . [Blue California Sky] is filled with dramatic and poignant moments, as it highlights the challenges of getting older, bearing the weight of memories, and reveling in the beauty of life. Readers are invited to consider the splendour and intricacy of life, and urged to find purpose in both extraordinary and mundane experiences. Passionate and illuminating.”

- The Prairies Book Review

“Bruce’s most recent work, a compilation of poetic prose, explores many topics ranging from the impermanence of life to the beauty of the outdoors, along with pain, sorrow, psychological and physical suffering, suicide, romance, and ardor. . . . Grief remains the book’s central emotion . . . Amid the sadness, there is also a sense of awe at the beauty of nature, as well as fond recollections and longing. This unique and gorgeous collection boasts rich, evocative wording that transports the reader to unexpected places, accompanied by striking images all along the way. A stunner.” - BookView Review

“Thoughtful, engaging, and arresting, B. L. Bruce’s transportive poetry reminds readers of places they’ve been and prepares them for where they’re going, while gently honoring the understated beauty surrounding all of us. . . . The author’s terse style is impactful and intense, an emotional experience for audiences who are willing to open themselves up to it. Bruce’s unfiltered voice cuts through life’s distracting background noise and settles in a place not limited to the physical plane. Reverence for plants, animals, the human body, and Earth’s elegant, predictable cycles ground the work, while painfully guarded traumas resonate deeply.” - Jennifer Jackson, Indies Today 

“Looking for a book that will tug at your heartstrings and make you see the world in a new light? blue california sky by B. L. Bruce is a must-read! This stunning compilation of poetic prose delves into the deep and complex emotions of life—from grief and sorrow to the beauty of the outdoors and the thrill of romance. Bruce’s writing is like a breath of fresh air, filled with rich, evocative language that paints vivid images in your mind. The way she explores heavy topics like psychological and physical suffering, suicide, and longing is both poignant and powerful. Yet, amid the sadness, there’s an undeniable sense of awe at nature’s beauty and the simple joys of life. Each piece in this collection is a journey, taking you to unexpected places and leaving you with a sense of wonder. The blend of raw emotion and striking imagery makes this book a true stunner. If you’re in the mood for a read that’s as beautiful as it is heart-wrenching, blue california sky is the book for you. Prepare to be moved and inspired by Bruce’s masterful prose.” - Mans Ramwani, Book Influencer, What Mansi Reads

Blue California Sky penned by the author B. L. Bruce is a beautiful collection of poetic prose to which many of us can relate. . . .These poetic prose are on relatable topics and you would have a great time reading them. One would realize how much our memories impact our lives and we carry the weight of them wherever we go. The language used in this book is easy to follow. I had a great time reading this collection.” (Rating 4.5/5) - Sassy Reviews

“Blue California Sky is an impactful, touching, and memorable collection . . . an incredible book that shouldn’t be missed. Five stars.” - Aimee Ann, Red Headed Book Lover