ALL BOOK REVIEWS: The Sun Loves Every Planet, And Interview With Robert Strzalko

 

Welcome to All Book Reviews!

1)  We're happy to review your book "The Sun Loves Every Planet" which won the NABE Pinnacle Book Achievement Award in the Poetry Category Fall 2011.  Tell us what does it mean to you to win such an award for writing about your own experience?

Strzalko: It isn't the most prestigious award, but it is an award nonetheless.  I didn’t think I had any chance of winning, so when I received an e-mail letting me know that "The Sun Loves Every Planet" had won I was very happy about it.

2)  In "The Sun Loves Every Planet," what is your favorite poem in it?  And, why did you choose your book to be poetic?

Strzalko: I don’t really have a favorite poem.  I thought all of them were good enough to include in the book, or I wouldn’t have included them.  There are many different themes in the book, and the poems vary in length quite a bit also, so it is difficult for me to compare them to each other.  They are all unique and contribute to the overall mood and feeling of the book in their own way.  Some of them are about experiences that I’ve had; others are based on looking out at the world and trying to capture what I see and feel is taking place.

3)  Recently, we've seen a lot of celebrities and writers publishing their biographies.  Have you ever thought about writing one?

Strzalko: I don’t have any plans regarding a biography, but one of the novels that I’m working on is about a trip to Alaska that I took years ago.  I am also probably going to write a novel/series that covers my high school and college years.

4)  Since we're talking about new releases, what book have you read and really impressed you lately?

Strzalko: I haven’t read any new books lately.  I’ve been more focused on writing than reading, but I can tell you about one of my favorite books.  "The Moon And Sixpence" by W. Somerset Maugham is one of the best books that I’ve ever read.  I’ve read it four or five times so far, and I will read it again someday.  Every book that I’ve read by him is outstanding.  I haven’t read it yet, but the next book of his that I am going to read is "The Hero".  It’s been sitting on my desk for a long time.  One of these days I’m going to get around to reading it.

5)  The last 3 years were like a big shift in our lifestyle, and in our way of thinking.  We went through coronavirus, inflation, economic crisis, and so on.  Would you consider writing your own thoughts, or maybe a fictional story about some of these issues?

Strzalko: Yes, I would consider writing about the last couple of years, but I haven’t done so yet other than I’ve written down a few thoughts here and there in my journal.

6)  My last question will be about your future projects: is there a new book you're working on in the coming years?

Strzalko: There are several novels that I am working on.  One is based on my experiences in Alaska.  The other is about a painter that becomes famous in the late 1960’s in Chicago.  I have also decided to make my western novel "A Bullet For Two" into a series.  The second book in the series is going to be "Eleven Sunrises".   

All Book Reviews : Book Review: The Sun Loves Every Planet by Robert Strzalko

So often, we like to read books that makes us wonder what life is all about, and what is the meaning behind every single thing that surrounds us.

In his poetry book collection, Robert Strzalko gives us a thoughtful observation of life, in its different dimensions, alongside many adventurous narration that enrich the book with imagined stories.

"The Sun Loves Every Planet" is a reflection on love, past memories, and other interesting topics that attracts the reader's attention.

"It's interesting what some people

Consider reality to be

Given the fact

That we still don't know what it is"

With these words, Robert Strzalko opens up about philosophy, in which it brings up thousands of questions on life and existence.

Poems like "Archeology", "Einstein", and "Galileo" depicts human's achievements, that changed the perception of the world for ever.

Also, art and education are hugely mentioned in the book. Strzalko recollects his old school days in verses, where he talks about his teacher and the lectures that he used to attend and learn from.

The loss of his lover was present in many romantic poems, which tells about the huge passion and the great love he had for her, but death was in the way. Here, Strzalko reflect on the idea of death, and its impact.

Robert Strzalko writes about several countries he visited, like Iraq. He tells about third world countries and its struggles: like famine, misery, and war. Strzalko sympathize with these people, and write about them with honesty.

In his poetry book, Strzalko covers up all his experiences, his ideas, and his feelings. It makes the reader rethink every little thing in this world, and dive into the wonders of life, and the origin of nature.

"The Sun Loves Every Planet" is highly recommended for poetry lovers as well as for every person who would like to read and explore new perceptions of life.