The format of the book is haphazard and a little confusing. Accompanying Mark’s prose and words are photographs, which make the content even more distracting; it's hard to comprehend the purpose behind this book.

While Mark writes from the heart and his poems are touchingly intimate, I couldn’t quite figure out the message behind the intention. The lessons he tries to impart to his readers, the ladder to their own success, seems a tad bit jumbled and unorganized. ( )

I received The Songbird In My Heart: The Magnificence of Being by Mark Steven Rhoads for review a little while back, I was in the middle of another book at the time so I couldn't start it immediately but I couldn't help but flip through the pages just a little bit. When I did I decided to set it in the bathroom and start picking at it. It made a wonderful warm bath contemplative read.

The pictures are brilliant and calming, a snow covered path, orange and red leaves in Autumn, beautiful flowers in bloom. They are initially what got my attention but as I started to read the words started taking center stage with the pictures as a wonderful supporting cast.

The Songbird In My Heart is honest while at the same time being uplifting. How often do you find that in real life? Not very, but definitely something I would like to experience more of in my day-to-day. Stories from the author's life are gently woven with wonderfully simple, thought provoking poetry and sprinkled with photos that are clear and crisp yet obviously snapped by the author on and around his property in the Blue Ridge Mountains. The fact that the photographer is not a professional makes each photo even more special, he is capturing the world all around him just as his words encourage us to "recognize the simple magnificence that is you."

I loved this book, every little piece about it and I hope beyond hope that Mr. Rhoads writes another as he mentions he intends to do. Sometime when I finish reading a book that I have received for review, I give it to a friend or trade it at a local used book store but this one is going up on my shelf, it's here to stay. ( )

I enjoyed the book. Though I have been offline and unable to get the review up until now. It is definitly a motivational/spiritual poetry book. Pictures are beautiful. It is a definite read for the lost soul. ( )

liked the poetry and pictures. but not really clear on some of it. It was good in spots but one that was easy to put down. I am a book lover and will read anything and everything and usually like everything. I did like this one but have to say it was not a favorite...

While I like inspirational books, this book was mixed... often muddy instead of clear. Some of the ideas and poetry were very good ("The Right Mind"), while select lines in others ('bloated and heavy' from "Oh Beautiful You") jarred the whole effect. I did like the nature pictures.

I wish the book had been straight poetry or straight text, without the mixture of "how-to". It just didn't work well enough for me, so I'm going to pass it onto another. ( )