i’m so happy to be prompted to think about poetry! ada limon is one of my favorites, as is marcus amaker (who will be at p&t knitwear next week!), caki wilkinson, and catherine cohen (for poems that make you laugh). billy collins was my poetry gateway drug—we read picnic, lightning in 12th grade and my brain changed forever. but my absolute, all time, desert island writer is ross gay—his poetry is devastating and beautiful and funny and he also writes nonfiction that is really amazing. his book “be holding” is a genius book length poem about a single basketball play by dr. j (i don’t care about sports). happy poem-ing!!!!!!
Mar 30, 2024
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His poems, his Book of Delights, his Inciting Joy.
If you want your heart to melt (and who doesn't?), cue up the song version of "Catalogue of Unabashed Gratitude" (music by Bon Iver). OOOOoooeeeeeee "lord please give me a minute"
Jan 26, 2024
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it’s one of the first poetry books i read as a whole and absolutely got me deep into poetry. i find her work soooo accessible—and yet it retains depth/wit.
she’s a voice of our time—our current poet laureate :3
Feb 12, 2024
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a recent favourite of mine.
i'd also highly recommend going to your local library, picking random poetry books you like the look of (regardless of whether you recognise the author or not), and spending some time reading those. it's a great and inexpensive way to discover new poetry; i wouldn't have known about ada limon otherwise.
Apr 19, 2024
Top Recs from @partyarty
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go to your local library‘s website or download the app. then search for a book you really want to read. then put it on hold. it feels like online shopping but it’s free. in a few days or weeks you'll get a cute text message or email that your book is ready to pick up and you’ll get to say hello to your local librarians and procure a new (to you) book which also feels like free shopping. the most functional part of our government ily public libraries
Mar 9, 2024
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sure beats having one
Mar 9, 2024
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i usually find myself in reading ruts when i’m taking classes and being assigned books or when i’m trying to keep up with new releases and the “smart” books that are usually dense and long. i can usually get myself out of this rut by picking out a book that looks fun to me, like a book set on a beach or something I loved in middle school. I’m reading From The Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler right now and it’s just FUN!!! I also am very much not someone who feels like they have to finish a book. Life is too short. I think that helps!
Mar 29, 2024