10 Poetry Books You Need To Read ASAP
Poetry books have a great way of reaching into our souls in a deeply relatable way. Reading these books can not only help us work through our own emotions, but also help us to learn about other people and cultures. From old to new, check out our list of 10 poetry books you need to add to your collection!
1. Film For Her – Orion Carloto
Orion Carloto is a 26 year old woman who started out as an influencer. From Instagram to YouTube, Carloto would take artsy pictures and film content for the world to see. In 2020, Carloto published her second book of poetry and prose, Film For Her. Film For Her takes us through snapshots of Carloto’s world, creating a catalogue of Carloto’s life with family, relationships, and growing up. All photos within the book are taken by Carloto herself, creating a deeply personal book that is sure to pull on your heartstrings.
2. I Am The Rage – Martina McGowan
Written by Dr. Martina McGowan, I Am The Rage is a book filled with 30 free verse poems outlining topics such as racial injustice, police brutality, and generational trauma. McGowan calls for equality and justice, packing the punches with unfiltered thoughts that everyone should hear. Throughout the book, McGowan discusses her life as a black woman living in America, giving us her firsthand experience. Not only this, but McGowan directly puts the reader in this position, making this book a unique, emotional, and raw work of art.
3. Water I Won’t Touch – Kayleb Rae Candrilli
Water I Won’t Touch is a self-portrait of the trans experience written by Kayleb Rae Candrilli. The book is an ode to learning how to love oneself, but aside from just that, Water I Won’t Touch dives into issues like addiction and growing up in a broken home. Candrilli uses imagery of the Earth to evoke the emotional brokenness that comes with personal struggles. Ultimately, Candrilli looks forward to an optimistic future, filling the reader with longing and relatability.
4. Leaves Of Grass – Walt Whitman
Widely considered one of the greatest poets that ever lived, Leaves Of Grass is Walt Whitman’s masterpiece. The book was published in 1855, and its influence still remains in the modern world. Whitman covers just about every subject you could imagine – from love, death, and religion to individuality and American history. Whitman creates a portrait of life in America and celebrates the idea of immortality and how the human never truly ceases to exist when they pass. With powerful words, Whitman provokes a sense of perspective and understanding that brings the reader into each poem.
5. And Still I Rise – Maya Angelou
And Still I Rise is a collection of Maya Angelou’s poetry, giving us themes of relationships, broken dreams, and life in the south. Maya Angelou dives into her life as a black woman and how society’s expectations differ from desire. Angelou empowers the woman with strong, rhythmic verses about the body and learning to love oneself. At times dark and witty, but also celebratory and lighthearted, Maya Angelou perfectly captures what it means to be alive.
6. Calling A Wolf A Wolf – Kaveh Akbar
If you’ve ever been through the struggles of addiction or simply want to hear about that perspective, Calling A Wolf A Wolf is an incredible collection of poetry detailing the trials and errors of sobering up. Kaveh Akbar perfectly captures the way in which we fall into addiction, how it affects our lives, and the ups and downs of attempting to get sober and stay sober. This book is a powerful and moving ode to fighting through our demons and coming out stronger on the other side.
7. The Wild Fox Of Yemen – Threa Almontaser
Threa Almontaser is a Muslim woman from New York. The Wild Fox Of Yemen is a book of poetry that sends love and warmth to the people of Yemen while discussing Almontaser’s life growing up as a Muslim in the city after 9/11. Throughout the book, Almontaser’s poetry evokes the perspective of feeling like an outsider and learning to fall into your identity. Perhaps one of the most interesting aspects of The Wild Fox Of Yemen is Almontaser’s language switch between English and Arabic. Almontaser doesn’t translate the Arabic words, so as the reader, you have to look them up yourself – effectively putting you into the perspective of the outsider.
8. Lighthead – Terrance Hayes
Lighthead by Terrance Hayes is a unique book of dreamy poems separated into snapshots. Hayes puts great emphasis on the sounds of the words themselves, making this book a unique and intriguing read. In Lighthead, Hayes dives into family, relationships, and race. The poetic style of this book varies from the lyric to the sonnet, constantly switching up and keeping the reader invested.
9. The Readiness – Alan Gillis
The Readiness by Alan Gillis takes on the perspective of life in the modern age. Gillis addresses the paradoxes of humanity and connectedness, creating a deep perspective into contemporary life. Gillis takes on a writing style that is equal parts sarcastic and witty, making this book a charming read that is bound to fill you with intrigue. Gillis take us on an interesting deep-dive into society itself as well as the crumbling Earth around us and how we fit into it.
10. Ariel – Sylvia Plath
Deeply dark and devastating, Sylvia Plath’s Ariel was published in 1965 by her husband Ted Hughes, just two years after her suicide. Plath evokes the images of a woman stuck in the muddy waters of her depression, battling through each and everyday and ultimately contemplating death. Plath reaches into the soul with cutting-edge poetry that touches the hearts of the readers. Additionally, Plath is known for being ahead of her time as many of her poems touch on the idea of “womanhood” and rebel against the traditional expectations of a woman in her time period.
Which poetry book will you be reading next? Leave a comment with your favorite work of poetry!
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