Books by David Di Paolo

In his return to poetry, David Di Paolo brilliantly examines the socially-charged topics of our times through a collection of poems, a short story, and music. Animal Spirits navigates through our sometimes volatile and divided existence through the symbolism and wisdom of the animals around us, allowing us to gain insight from their life lessons. With lovely artwork from Dace Kidd, Animal Spirits captures the essence of our humanity, and what the totems from our history can teach us about ourselves.

By April's Kiss captures the classic poetic hero-the journeyman-as he continually searches for the elusive place we call "home." David Di Paolo takes the reader along his own path of discovery, leading right up to the edge of darkness and back again. By April's Kiss draws upon Di Paolo's experiences of illness and loss with great wisdom and care, examining the essence of life once all the layers of the world are stripped away. With poetry, photography by Di Paolo, and the addition of artwork from Diane Frossard, By April's Kiss is sure to become a staple in every reader's library."In By April's Kiss, a book of poetry by David DiPaolo, we are presented with an array of poems that strike one at first descriptively, through solid and vivid image, and then emotionally, as the core of the poem becomes clear and resonates clearly through the reader…. The poetry here is informal, a kind of free verse, and it does this well - employing a slippery veer and jumping logic that is responsive to the shifting intuitions and insights of human consciousness as it sets to work on a problem or situation…. The overall design of the book is professional with crisp and sharp photographs sprinkled throughout and lush painted images inserted as well. The cover image for the book is quiet and serene, signaling to the reader about the importance of introspection and reflection on the poetic journey."-Judge, 25th Annual Writer's Digest Self-Published Book Awards"The poems are memorable, the photos and artwork thematically appropriate, "By April's Kiss" is an inherently engaging read from cover to cover. One of those rare volumes of poetry that will linger in the mind long after the book itself is finished and set back upon the shelf, "By April's Kiss" is unreservedly recommended for personal, community, and academic library collection. 'Let Me Not Be Vexed': A hand not taken. / A smile not reciprocated. / An embrace not partaken. / A Kiss not requited. / A moment not shared. / Let these things be the markers of what should vex me."-Midwest Book Review

She doesn't believe in ghosts. She doesn't believe in witches or curses or spells. The doctor doesn't believe in anything that science can't explain, but Diana Valleverde is about to learn that knowledge is an evolving proposition. Her research into brain function is uncovering secrets within the mind, but none like the one kept hidden from her since before she was born. When her brother, a curator at the university museum, gives her a family keepsake from their recently deceased grandmother, Diana begins a journey that will take her from Pennsylvania to Milan and the Italian Alps, to discover what lies hidden inside and what has caused her recent affliction by what she knows must be sleep paralysis attacks, a frightening condition in which she awakens, unable to move or cry out, with the overwhelming sense something unseen is suffocating her. There must be a medical explanation for these attacks. There must be . . . Right?