Copyright 2013, First Edition
Trade Paperback: Poetry
C. Steven Blue
ISBN: 978-0-9635499-3-8
186 Pages - $14.95
Poetry/Recovery/Self-Help/Inspiration
If you purchase Songs Of Sobriety here, it can be signed by the author.
Just click "add to cart" above and give your signing request at checkout.
You can also purchase the paperback or Kindle/eBook version on Amazon: Amazon.com
Paperback also available at Barnes & Noble, or order at your local bookseller.
Just click "add to cart" above and give your signing request at checkout.
You can also purchase the paperback or Kindle/eBook version on Amazon: Amazon.com
Paperback also available at Barnes & Noble, or order at your local bookseller.
S.O.S. ~ Songs Of Sobriety ~ A Personal Journey Of Recovery
—The long awaited, groundbreaking book on recovery by award winning poet, C. Steven Blue.
—A poetic memoir 20 years in the making, this book chronicles the journey of the first 10 years of recovery—all told in verse format.
—It is a memoir, yes—but the poems tell the story.
The book is structured in chronological order, from the struggle to get into recovery, to the new-found freedom and happiness that life in recovery can bring--a foundation of strength in dealing with life's daily problems.
In this groundbreaking work, poet C. Steven Blue is a great source of inspiration, not only for those in recovery, but for anyone seeking to help themselves or someone else who may be dealing with life's difficulties. It is a journey of hope and discovery.
Inspirational and revealing, the book channels the struggles, the emotions, and the healing processes of recovery, in chronological and linear story fashion. With over 35 years in recovery, C. Steven Blue's own experiences and observations serve as the basis for this moving book . . . filled with the wonder and renewal that recovery brings.
So what's in store for readers? For a glimpse inside the book, click here: www.wordsongs.com/inside_sos
—A poetic memoir 20 years in the making, this book chronicles the journey of the first 10 years of recovery—all told in verse format.
—It is a memoir, yes—but the poems tell the story.
The book is structured in chronological order, from the struggle to get into recovery, to the new-found freedom and happiness that life in recovery can bring--a foundation of strength in dealing with life's daily problems.
In this groundbreaking work, poet C. Steven Blue is a great source of inspiration, not only for those in recovery, but for anyone seeking to help themselves or someone else who may be dealing with life's difficulties. It is a journey of hope and discovery.
Inspirational and revealing, the book channels the struggles, the emotions, and the healing processes of recovery, in chronological and linear story fashion. With over 35 years in recovery, C. Steven Blue's own experiences and observations serve as the basis for this moving book . . . filled with the wonder and renewal that recovery brings.
So what's in store for readers? For a glimpse inside the book, click here: www.wordsongs.com/inside_sos
Accolades for Songs Of Sobriety:
There is nothing else like this out there. An open window into the world of addiction. Filled with poetic insight and wisdom. C.S. Blue’s voice is soulful and speaks the truth.
—R. K. Johnston
This book is not only for those in recovery but for all those who've been in troubled relationships, whether with alcohol, drugs or people. Many of the feelings expressed in this book can be embraced by anyone. A comfort for life’s struggles.
—P. Schreiner
Excerpt from a review by Ingrid Wendt . . .
Your work comes from the heart, and puts into words some deeply personal thoughts, feelings, experiences, which have moved you to share them with others. They are brave poems; there is real risk in putting one’s soul out there for others to see. Your choices of subjects are very much in the territory of “the poetic;” they’ve called out to you, and you have heeded the calls.
I also very much admire your hard work at conquering your addiction. As an ex-smoker, who quit three times, for many years in between each quitting time, I know I can never touch another cigarette, or I’m doomed. This isn’t nearly as difficult an addiction as the one you have conquered, but I know enough about such things to see and admire the strength you mustered, in your past life, and to applaud your entering the world of poetry, as you create a meaningful future for yourself.
—Ingrid Wendt
Amazon.com Review by Quinton Halett: "Surrender to Win"
Enter C. S. Blue's S.O.S Songs of Sobriety and step onto a remarkable rescue boat of poems chronicling his journey to recovery from addiction. Follow the poet's frank accounts of acute distress, his discovery of a life raft (H.P., Love) and crucial keys for lifting himself out of the mire in the first ten years of that recovery. Blue's poems will resonate with those who have endured epic loneliness and isolation. "Chair Dreams" is an anthem to the utter stasis of certain conditions before help is sought or accepted.
Section by section, Blue rocks the reader forward in a personal cadence. Rhyme, slant rhyme, riffs of language and mantra appear in free form and in poignant refrains. [This reader took off on the notion of 'refrain': refrain as reinforcement of the recovery message, and the need to refrain constantly from succumbing to the "Three Forty Four" dealer knocking at the door.]
Most lives get battered one way or another. Blue's S.O.S. collection gives readers in recovery of any kind one form of playbook, one person rescued, tapping out joy in fresh ability to feel, work, love--- small joys, finally accepted and allowed. Stay with Blue and acknowledge his work to "Turn it Over."
—Quinton Hallett
Excerpt from a review by Oregon Poetry Association . . .
The author relives his experiences and feelings during his journey of recovery. He looks back to the time before the first years, noting that every first step is hard as he reaches out of pain and sadness for help in "Barroom Blues". No doubt he's not alone, there must be many others who can relate to his journey.
Numerous steps are recorded during the first six months to one year expressed in "Hard Knocks". The author employs a rhyme suitable for songs as in 'Shooting star bright for a brief streak/A glimpse of the future takes a peek.' Yet pain and doubt accompany the progress to a 'better life' such as in 'Once in a blue moon/you can tell/. . .to return/from a living hell'.
The book is divided into stages of sobriety. "The Demon" equates the negative forces of addiction with the power to 'kill' – a good metaphor for alcohol and drugs. "Rest In Peace," "Back To School" and "Night Of The Whispering Poet" attest to the return from chaos and pain to the joy of a 'normal life.'
—Ninette Freed
There is nothing else like this out there. An open window into the world of addiction. Filled with poetic insight and wisdom. C.S. Blue’s voice is soulful and speaks the truth.
—R. K. Johnston
This book is not only for those in recovery but for all those who've been in troubled relationships, whether with alcohol, drugs or people. Many of the feelings expressed in this book can be embraced by anyone. A comfort for life’s struggles.
—P. Schreiner
Excerpt from a review by Ingrid Wendt . . .
Your work comes from the heart, and puts into words some deeply personal thoughts, feelings, experiences, which have moved you to share them with others. They are brave poems; there is real risk in putting one’s soul out there for others to see. Your choices of subjects are very much in the territory of “the poetic;” they’ve called out to you, and you have heeded the calls.
I also very much admire your hard work at conquering your addiction. As an ex-smoker, who quit three times, for many years in between each quitting time, I know I can never touch another cigarette, or I’m doomed. This isn’t nearly as difficult an addiction as the one you have conquered, but I know enough about such things to see and admire the strength you mustered, in your past life, and to applaud your entering the world of poetry, as you create a meaningful future for yourself.
—Ingrid Wendt
Amazon.com Review by Quinton Halett: "Surrender to Win"
Enter C. S. Blue's S.O.S Songs of Sobriety and step onto a remarkable rescue boat of poems chronicling his journey to recovery from addiction. Follow the poet's frank accounts of acute distress, his discovery of a life raft (H.P., Love) and crucial keys for lifting himself out of the mire in the first ten years of that recovery. Blue's poems will resonate with those who have endured epic loneliness and isolation. "Chair Dreams" is an anthem to the utter stasis of certain conditions before help is sought or accepted.
Section by section, Blue rocks the reader forward in a personal cadence. Rhyme, slant rhyme, riffs of language and mantra appear in free form and in poignant refrains. [This reader took off on the notion of 'refrain': refrain as reinforcement of the recovery message, and the need to refrain constantly from succumbing to the "Three Forty Four" dealer knocking at the door.]
Most lives get battered one way or another. Blue's S.O.S. collection gives readers in recovery of any kind one form of playbook, one person rescued, tapping out joy in fresh ability to feel, work, love--- small joys, finally accepted and allowed. Stay with Blue and acknowledge his work to "Turn it Over."
—Quinton Hallett
Excerpt from a review by Oregon Poetry Association . . .
The author relives his experiences and feelings during his journey of recovery. He looks back to the time before the first years, noting that every first step is hard as he reaches out of pain and sadness for help in "Barroom Blues". No doubt he's not alone, there must be many others who can relate to his journey.
Numerous steps are recorded during the first six months to one year expressed in "Hard Knocks". The author employs a rhyme suitable for songs as in 'Shooting star bright for a brief streak/A glimpse of the future takes a peek.' Yet pain and doubt accompany the progress to a 'better life' such as in 'Once in a blue moon/you can tell/. . .to return/from a living hell'.
The book is divided into stages of sobriety. "The Demon" equates the negative forces of addiction with the power to 'kill' – a good metaphor for alcohol and drugs. "Rest In Peace," "Back To School" and "Night Of The Whispering Poet" attest to the return from chaos and pain to the joy of a 'normal life.'
—Ninette Freed
~ Book Fan Extra ~
To see Steven perform poems from this book click here:
Songs Of Sobriety Performances
To see Steven perform poems from this book click here:
Songs Of Sobriety Performances
C. Steven Blue is published by:
