April is National Poetry Month and though it’s at an end, that doesn’t mean readers shouldn’t check out some poetry. You might be familiar with poets like Maya Angelou and Emily Dickinson, both of whom have written great poetry books and some of the best poets of all time. Poetry can be a little niche and it can be hard to find the best poetry to suit your personal tastes.
There is something out there for everyone and it’s just about finding the right poet that speaks to you. If you’re looking to for some great choices in this genre, here are some of the best poetry books to check out.
Ariel The Restored Edition by Sylvia Plath
Sylvia Plath is one of the most well-known poets in history and a lot of her poems still strike a cord in readers today. Ariel is one of the few works to be released after her death and most of it was written months before she died. This collection contains a lot of poems talking about heavy topics like mental health and death, and other themes like gender roles and liberation. Compared to her past works, these poems are a lot darker and personal.
The best edition to get is Ariel: The Restored Edition as it includes many poems that weren’t released in the previous one. If you are looking for something raw and visceral about living with mental illness and get a glimpse of Plath’s final months, this poetry collection is a great choice to read.
A Light in the Attic by Shel Silverstein
Some readers might recognize this poetry collection from their childhood days. So why read this if it’s marketed for kids? Similar to rewatching childhood cartoons, adult readers might find themselves seeing these poems in a different light. This book caused a lot of controversy when it was first released and continues to be a target of book banning because of its themes. Readers might find that some poems like Whatif or Nobody resonate with them if they suffer from anxiety or loneliness.
This is just the tip of the iceberg and there are plenty of poems that readers will find relatable and have plenty of depth that would be fun to decipher. There are some poems with dark themes that some might find a little triggering or disturbing. Despite this, it’s still one of the best poetry books for both kids and adults to read.
Call Us What We Carry: Poems by Amanda Gorman
One of the best contemporary poets who isn’t afraid to talk about modern-day issues with her words. Amanda Gorman takes readers on an immersive journey of what life for some Americans is like. Talking about topics like the global pandemic, war, and social issues, Gorman masterfully paints a picture with her words and rhythmic writing style. Her poems don’t shy away from talking about violence or other sensitive topics like school shootings and racism.
Some of the poems have a lighthearted tone to them despite some of the grim topics she writes about. Despite the grimness of the world, Amanda Gorman still writes how there is hope for the future and that people can change if they learn from past mistakes to make the world better.
The Sun and Her Flowers by Rupi Kaur
Instapoetry isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but there’s no denying that Rupi Kaur helped bring more interest to poetry. Her first book, Milk and Honey, was a little more focused on romantic relationships and all the issues that come with them. The Sun and Her Flowers is a little more focused on self-love and healing, but still has quite a bit of romantic-themed poems.
Rupi Kaur is a good author to introduce readers to poetry since the poems are short and easier to understand than most traditional poets. Readers might find her work a breath of fresh air and not spend too much time deciphering every single line. Overall, it’s a great poetry book that’s an entertaining and easy read that still has depth.
The Hurting Kind by Ada Limón
Ada Limón takes readers on an emotional journey with this poetry collection that has some autobiographical elements. Talking about the world around her, Limón’s poems give strong imagery as she talks about events like a groundhog stealing her tomatoes, a hawk feather nailed to a wall, or other seemingly mundane things in everyday life. But there are plenty of poems that talk about grieving and other heavy emotions that humans experience.
This book might make readers analyze and look deeper into the world around them. Ada Limón manages to make everyday life events and emotions sound beautifully poetic and make them feel special.
Poems for Morning by Various Authors
An anthology of poems that are perfect for the mornings. This book has mostly short poems by famous poets like Emily Dickinson, Amy Lowell, and Walt Whitman. It’s a great little pocketbook that can easily fit in the back of one’s pocket or a purse. These poems are meant to help readers start their day on a positive note and get them in the right mindset.
Some are a little more upbeat side and some will go a little deeper into thought, but still keep it lighthearted. It’s a great little poetry book to have around when you need a quick positive read and a little variety.
salt. by Nayyirah Waheed
Once described as the “most famous poet on Instagram”, Nayyirah Waheed’s salt. talks about motherhood, feminism, and other heavy topics. Her poems are short and easy reads that still manage to strike a chord in readers. Waheed shows her vulnerability and the raw feelings of her African diaspora, who she is, and many other things that are relatable.
She is seen as a pioneer of instapoetry and one of the first poets to put this subgenre on the map. Though criticized for breaking the rules of traditional poetry, Waheed’s work has gained more praise because of its depth and style.
100 Poems That Matter by Poets.org
This is one of the best poetry books to start with if you’re looking to dip your toes in the genre. Poets.org has chosen one hundred of their best on the site and put them in a book for readers. Readers will find poems by classics like Emily Dickinson, Maya Angelou, Yehuda Amichai, Sylvia Plath, and E.E. Cummings and more contemporary poets like Amanda Gorman and Raquel Salas Rivera.
There is something for just about everyone in this book and a large variety of writing styles and topics to pick from. You might discover your new favorite writer and what type of poetry you’re more drawn to.
