Hello! I am doing a reading challenge and I’ve put off “read a book of poetry” until the end. I am not a poetry person. For reference, the last book of poems I read and enjoyed was “where the sidewalk ends” and I was in 5th grade. Any suggestions of a book of poems that is accessible and not pretentious?
by AwkwardDilophosaurus
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A Thousand Mornings, by Mary Oliver
Like musicals? “Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats” by T. S. Eliot is the one on which *Cats* was based.
Anything by Billy Collins.
Serious Concerns by Wendy Cope is funny, light-hearted and delightful
But my favourite poetry book this year is Make Believe by Victoria Hutchins – a beautiful blend of prose poetry and memoirs, very hopeful and comforting
Like someone else recommended, Mary Oliver is stunning with her contemplations on nature and life
All are 5 star reads for me 🙂
I think I know the perfect book for you. I found it last year and I love it.
The actor John Lithgow has been a poetry lover his whole life. In 2007 he published The Poets’ Corner: The One-and-Only Poetry Book For the Whole Family.
It’s wonderful. He collected a wide range of his favorite poems, including ones from the most important poetry movements. He gives a thoughtful introduction to each poem/poet and also mentions some of his other favorite poems from that poet.
I would highly recommend this. I have the book and the audiobook. It’s definitely not pretentious.
Wendy Cope – The Orange and Other Poems; or Making Cocoa for Kingsley Amis – Wendy Cope writes short modern often satirical poetry or poetry about normal daily life things.
Beowulf – Seamus Heaney translation. Beowulf is an Old English written about 1000AD – it’s more like a fantasy story than a poem. The tale starts with Hrothgar the king of the Danes, whose Mead Hall is being attacked by the monster, Grendel, and his men take off and eaten. Beowulf comes along and defeats the monster. There are several translations (including one by Tolkien), but you can’t go wrong with the Seamus Heaney one.
Bestiario – Neruda
The Essential Rumi (tr. Coleman Barks)