i like the idea of poems as sketches- something far from final . simply a means of capturing the world around oneself

A beater off the shelf. Obsessions are plentiful. Rambling hypocrisy, railroads, French Canadians, Women, "Indians" et drinking.

Words alone can’t describe how beautiful this book is to hold in your hands – it’s a gorgeous, pocket-sized collection of some of Kerouac’s poetry, which is as delightful to read as it is to look at it. Perhaps the coolest aspect of it is the serrated pages – every twenty pages or so, the page size changes slightly, creating a visual effect a bit like a harpsichord that feels incredible when you ruffle the pages.

But enough about the cover and bindings – what you really want to know about is the contents, and that’s where this is really special. Kerouac’s friend Ed White first suggested that he “sketch in the streets like a painter but with words” in 1951 – I reckon you see where this is going.

This book, then, is a record of the two years in which he recorded his “travels, observations and meditations on art and life”, whilst doing the usual travelling, of course. He has his usual way with words, and I’d argue that his skill here is greater than it was at most other points in his career – it’s certainly more civilized and refined, although it still holds the edge that the rest of his body of work contains.

A cash grab. Kerouac eventually became a sort of folk hero to some and although some of his unpublished work was well worth the time, some wasn't. This is literally a book of incomplete poems.

Although I have read Kerouac before, this book gave me a much better appreciation of his skill as a writer and an observer. Sketches includes reprints from his pocket notebooks written from 1952-54. In these notebooks, his friend Ed White reports that "he sketched in the streets like a painter with words". The individual pieces are reprinted exactly, with no editing or revisions so the reader really sees Jack's world exactly as he did on each particular day. Thanks to the library staff for placing this on the poetry display. This book is truly unforgettable. Please enter in the April poetry challenge.

Book of Sketches is an interesting read, you get a hodge podge of ideas and themes.
Poem style/poems, some read like a stream of consciousness and some are more polished.
Lots of beautiful scenes painted with words of slices of life in America 1950's. Levi's and sunsets.

Some bits feel like Jack was up late, couldn't sleep and had to get his philosophy on life of the day/ his notes to self/ how he should live out of his head.

I did learn that Kerouac is a French-Canadian, and he writes some sketches in a phonetic French that's really funny to read. I also got the impression that he was kind of lonely/lost and bit misogynistic/angry at the world.

"Sé el nombre de la obra de tu vida..."

I really don't like this book. I believe the description is misleading. It's not beautiful or poetic. All it is are short pieces listing what is in front of him using plain words.

A few really good ones, but mostly average. Kerouac wrote these while working on the railroad before On the Road was published. He was a pretty negative guy while writing these sketches, even dissing Ginsberg, Burroughs and Cassady.