A Turning Back to Poetry (352 pages, ISBN 0812968875, softcover, $13.95) edited by Billy Collins. During his time as the nation’s Poet Laureate Billy Collins introduced the idea of reading a poem each day to students in high school. The poems were selected to be understandable and enjoyable even to the new poetry reader, and that “user friendly” idea comes forward to this anthology. The follow up to this book is called 180 More : Extraordinary Poems for Every Day, also by Billy Collins.
For more information
Olga Mieth, 619-669-3100
Recommended Reading Picks for National Poetry Month
(mmd-news) - - April is National Poetry Month, so we prepared this list of our “Ten Top Picks” of poetry books to read during April.
1. Poetry 180 : A Turning Back to Poetry (352 pages, ISBN 0812968875, softcover, $13.95) edited by Billy Collins. During his time as the nation’s Poet Laureate Billy Collins introduced the idea of reading a poem each day to students in high school. The poems were selected to be understandable and enjoyable even to the new poetry reader, and that “user friendly” idea comes forward to this anthology. The follow up to this book is called 180 More : Extraordinary Poems for Every Day, also by Billy Collins.
2. The Giant Book of Poetry (752 pages, ISBN 0976800128, softcover, $29.95), edited by William Roetzheim. With approximately 575 poems covering ancient, classical, modern, contemporary and world poetry this monster of a book should be intimidating—but it’s not. The selected poems are enjoyable and don’t require a PhD in English Literature to understand them. Better yet, each poem includes a footnote that describes the poem’s form, defines any tricky or archaic words, and provides hints about interpretation. The book also includes sixty illustrations, something common in poetry books a hundred years ago, but rare today. A wonderful way to get an overview of poetry.
3. The Poetry of Robert Frost (640 pages, ISBN 0805069860, softcover, $18.00), by Robert Frost. April is the perfect month to revisit America’s favorite poet. Many of us have memorized some classic Robert Frost poems, such as “The Road Not Taken” or “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening,” but as you read his collected works you begin to experience the darker side of his poetry in poems such as “Home Burial,” and “Out, —Out!.” Find out why noted critic Lionel Trilling called Frost’s poetry “terrifying.” For a special treat, check with Easton Press (www.eastonpress.com). We hear that they plan to release a leather bound, gilded, and illustrated collection of Robert Frost’s poems.
4. The Complete Poems of Emily Dickinson (784 pages, ISBN 0316184136, softcover, $21.95), by Emily Dickinson. Emily Dickinson is considered by many to be the mother of modern poetry, with her quirky punctuation and phrasing, but as you read her poems the images she presents will take your breath away. Her poems are short enough to read over and over, and interesting enough to make you want to do just that.
5. sifting through the madness for the word, the line, the way : New Poems (416 pages, ISBN 0060568232, softcover, $14.95), by Charles Bukowski. Charles Bukowski is loved by some, hated by others, and both loved and hated by many. He’s offensive but insightful, someone who slaps the reader along the head with an insight, leaving you black-and-blue but awakened. These poems were prepared by Charles for publication after his death.
6. Thoughts I Left Behind: Collected poems of William Roetzheim (184 pages, ISBN 0976800101, softcover, $14.95), by William Roetzheim. This illustrated debut poetry book pulls the reader in and then takes them on a series of journeys that are sometimes sad, sometimes funny, sometimes heart touching but always surprising and insightful. This book is another that is particularly popular with new poetry readers.
7. The Voice at 3:00 A.M. : Selected Late and New Poems (192 pages, ISBN 015603073X, softcover, $14.00), by Charles Simic. Charles Simic is to poetry what Salvador Dali was to painting. Step into the surrealistic vision of the world as seen through the mind of Charles Simic—if you dare!
8. Ariel (128 pages, ISBN 0060931728, softcover, $12.00), by Sylvia Plath. Written in a superhuman frenzy during the final days prior to her suicide, Ariel stands as a classic collection of poems offering insight into a tortured mind. The poems are beautifully written, a fascinating to read, and even more of a pleasure to analyze. Each reading uncovers a new layer of meaning.
9. Alive Together: New and Selected Poems (223 pages, ISBN 0807121282, softcover, $19.95), by Lisel Mueller. Lisel Mueller’s clear but powerful poems offer insight and enjoyment at the same time. Once you begin reading, you won’t be able to stop.
10. In the Palm of Your Hand: The Poet's Portable Workshop (288 pages, ISBN 0884481492, softcover, $14.95), by Steve Kowit. Just in case reading all of this poetry has got you in the mood to write some poetry of your own, pick up a copy of In the Palm of Your Hand. The book contains valuable lessons to help your poems reach their full potential, along with poetry writing exercises that are fun enough to be used as party games.
For more information
Olga Mieth, 619-669-3100
###
Olga Mieth, 619-669-3100
Recommended Reading Picks for National Poetry Month
(mmd-news) - - April is National Poetry Month, so we prepared this list of our “Ten Top Picks” of poetry books to read during April.
1. Poetry 180 : A Turning Back to Poetry (352 pages, ISBN 0812968875, softcover, $13.95) edited by Billy Collins. During his time as the nation’s Poet Laureate Billy Collins introduced the idea of reading a poem each day to students in high school. The poems were selected to be understandable and enjoyable even to the new poetry reader, and that “user friendly” idea comes forward to this anthology. The follow up to this book is called 180 More : Extraordinary Poems for Every Day, also by Billy Collins.
2. The Giant Book of Poetry (752 pages, ISBN 0976800128, softcover, $29.95), edited by William Roetzheim. With approximately 575 poems covering ancient, classical, modern, contemporary and world poetry this monster of a book should be intimidating—but it’s not. The selected poems are enjoyable and don’t require a PhD in English Literature to understand them. Better yet, each poem includes a footnote that describes the poem’s form, defines any tricky or archaic words, and provides hints about interpretation. The book also includes sixty illustrations, something common in poetry books a hundred years ago, but rare today. A wonderful way to get an overview of poetry.
3. The Poetry of Robert Frost (640 pages, ISBN 0805069860, softcover, $18.00), by Robert Frost. April is the perfect month to revisit America’s favorite poet. Many of us have memorized some classic Robert Frost poems, such as “The Road Not Taken” or “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening,” but as you read his collected works you begin to experience the darker side of his poetry in poems such as “Home Burial,” and “Out, —Out!.” Find out why noted critic Lionel Trilling called Frost’s poetry “terrifying.” For a special treat, check with Easton Press (www.eastonpress.com). We hear that they plan to release a leather bound, gilded, and illustrated collection of Robert Frost’s poems.
4. The Complete Poems of Emily Dickinson (784 pages, ISBN 0316184136, softcover, $21.95), by Emily Dickinson. Emily Dickinson is considered by many to be the mother of modern poetry, with her quirky punctuation and phrasing, but as you read her poems the images she presents will take your breath away. Her poems are short enough to read over and over, and interesting enough to make you want to do just that.
5. sifting through the madness for the word, the line, the way : New Poems (416 pages, ISBN 0060568232, softcover, $14.95), by Charles Bukowski. Charles Bukowski is loved by some, hated by others, and both loved and hated by many. He’s offensive but insightful, someone who slaps the reader along the head with an insight, leaving you black-and-blue but awakened. These poems were prepared by Charles for publication after his death.
6. Thoughts I Left Behind: Collected poems of William Roetzheim (184 pages, ISBN 0976800101, softcover, $14.95), by William Roetzheim. This illustrated debut poetry book pulls the reader in and then takes them on a series of journeys that are sometimes sad, sometimes funny, sometimes heart touching but always surprising and insightful. This book is another that is particularly popular with new poetry readers.
7. The Voice at 3:00 A.M. : Selected Late and New Poems (192 pages, ISBN 015603073X, softcover, $14.00), by Charles Simic. Charles Simic is to poetry what Salvador Dali was to painting. Step into the surrealistic vision of the world as seen through the mind of Charles Simic—if you dare!
8. Ariel (128 pages, ISBN 0060931728, softcover, $12.00), by Sylvia Plath. Written in a superhuman frenzy during the final days prior to her suicide, Ariel stands as a classic collection of poems offering insight into a tortured mind. The poems are beautifully written, a fascinating to read, and even more of a pleasure to analyze. Each reading uncovers a new layer of meaning.
9. Alive Together: New and Selected Poems (223 pages, ISBN 0807121282, softcover, $19.95), by Lisel Mueller. Lisel Mueller’s clear but powerful poems offer insight and enjoyment at the same time. Once you begin reading, you won’t be able to stop.
10. In the Palm of Your Hand: The Poet's Portable Workshop (288 pages, ISBN 0884481492, softcover, $14.95), by Steve Kowit. Just in case reading all of this poetry has got you in the mood to write some poetry of your own, pick up a copy of In the Palm of Your Hand. The book contains valuable lessons to help your poems reach their full potential, along with poetry writing exercises that are fun enough to be used as party games.
For more information
Olga Mieth, 619-669-3100
###