Five Poetry Book Recommendations for Poetry Month
Happy poetry month everyone! If you want to try out some poetry or are looking for your next favorite, look no further. Here are five of my favorite poetry books I've read in the last year, from the perspective of a poetry editor and regular poetry lover!
The World Keeps Ending, and the World Goes on by Franny Choi
I think a lot of us often feel like the world is on fire. With all the political turmoil, horrific weather events, and other various “unprecedented times,” we’re all being connected through shared trauma. This book both validates our pain and fears, while also pointing us to hope (I promise there is some).
My Roots Can't Leave the Ground by Nathaniel Luscombe
Religious trauma is yet another form of trauma that connects so many of us across the globe. This wonderful collection is perfect for readers who feel like the ground beneath them is shaking, who are searching for solid ground, or those who have finally found their solid ground and need a reminder of how they got there.
Devotions by Mary Oliver
I reread Devotions every year and it never fails to leave me in awe of both nature and Mary Oliver’s poetic prowess. It really is in the little things, y’all, and no one has taught me that quite like Mary Oliver. “Wild Geese” might just be one of my favorite poems of all time!
Sweet, Young, and Worried by Blythe Baird
When I picked up this book at my local bookstore, I looked at the title and thought “oh look, it’s me. I’m sweet, young, and worried!” I’m noticing a common theme through the books I’ve picked for this list… poetry that acknowledges this weird place we’ve been in since 2020, the constant anxiety that swirls through so many of us since experiencing trauma. Read this if you want to feel like someone gets you.
Wild and Precious: A Celebration of Mary Oliver narrated by Sophia Bush
There’s nothing quite like hearing Mary Oliver’s own voice reciting her poems. It sounds like liquid gold flowing through my ears, straight to my heart. I loved learning more about this wonderful poet, the effects she had on people around her and, most importantly, her dogs.
I hope you enjoy reading these! If you get inspired and write some poetry this month, some of my other blog posts will be helpful to you. You can find some writing prompts here and my poetic devices series here.
If you need a poetry editor, I’m your gal! Fill out my inquiry form or send me a message.
We might be at the end of poetry month, but poetry is there for us all year ‘round. I hope the poems you need find you at the right time.
Happy writing, and happy poetry month! <3
