How to Find Your Next Poetry Read
There is so much great poetry out there, it can oftentimes be difficult to decide your next read. Last year, I challenged myself to read a poetry book a week because my TBR list had really piled up over the years and, some weeks, I found myself struggling to nail down which collection to choose next. With so many wonderful choices out there, it’s hard to go wrong. But how do we begin to narrow in on which books will really capture us and stick with us for years?
Here are four effective strategies I’ve identified to find that next poetry read:
1) Use Online Resources
Of course, this is a pretty tried and true method of finding your next great read. But with so many resources out there, how do you find the best ones? Here are a few I recommend checking out:
Meet New Books: If you’re looking for book recommendations and don’t mind looking through a multitude of options, check out this site. It has literally thousands of poetry book recommendations so you’re bound to find a couple (or several) that catch your attention
Gnooks: If you have a few poets that are on your favorites list and want to discover new ones based on your current faves, this is the place to be. You can enter up to three authors’ names and it will generate another author it thinks you will like. From the name chosen, you can decide whether you like that suggestion, dislike it, or aren’t sure.
Goodreads: I always love seeing what books friends are adding to their “want to read” lists, checking out the book descriptions and then adding them to my own list for later.
StoryGraph: While I’ve admittedly yet to try this one out myself, I’ve heard so many good things about it. You can browse by genre and scroll through the seemingly endless list that pops up. *runs to go create my own account*
2) Follow Bookstores On Social Media
This simple suggestion will have you adding hundreds of new books to your TBR list. So many bookstores will not only post about new releases, but will also post the occasional curated list, staff-recommended books, and, yes, even flow charts!
A Room of One’s Own Bookstore began posting book flow charts to their social media accounts last year and they instantly soared in popularity—leading to even more eye-catching graphics to be created that help make it easier for people to choose their next read (and, of course, there’s several that include poetry options). They’ve even started doing a “What They’d Read” series, featuring TV characters and pop culture icons and the books they would read.
Other bookstores you can follow to keep up with poetry recs include:
3) Connect the Dots
Another great way to find your next read is to check out the catalog of your favorite publishers. If you have a favorite press, see what other books they’ve published! If you find there’s a press whose work you really connect with, chances are that next collection they release will be a great read as well. I find myself constantly returning to Milkweed Editions, YesYes Books, Graywolf, Copper Canyon Press, among so many others (as you can see in my book stack from last year👇).
Similarly, you can check out the acknowledgements of whatever book you’re currently reading and, sometimes, the poets who have inspired and served as mentors for that author’s own work will be listed. You never know who you might discover!
4) Get Lost In the Stacks
Head to your local library or indie bookstore and just browse! You’re bound to find a thing or two that really stands out to you. And if you’re not sure where to start, booksellers and librarians are always a great resource.
Need I say more?
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Now go out and find your next great poetry read! 🥳📚
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⬇️ Bonus Tip
Be on the lookout for book-specific challenges on social media too! The annual Sealey Challenge is one I always return to and I love seeing what other people in the community are reading.
This article was posted on February 1, 2023. Written by:
