Poetry is not all Milton and Shakespeare, despite our high school curriculum's best efforts to make us think so. Brimming with new names and modern poems inspired by today's ever changing cultural and political landscapes, this list of 50 poetry books is meant to be a departure from the classics. Among a few icons - Sylvia Plath, Frank O'Hara, and Maya Angelou to name a few - discover up and coming poets and recent award winners like Justin Philip Reed and Frank Bidart. Discover poems about race, oppression, and feminism alongside poems that explore love, loss and personal growth. For seasoned poetry readers and those new to the genre, our list of 50 poetry book to read right now has something for everyone.
Shop for recommended poetry books
More essential reading lists
At AbeBooks, we believe there is something special about reading. And we don’t just love to read books. We love to talk about them.
From Silent Spring to Gorillas in the Mist, this list features books published between 1911 and 1999 that highlighted environments and species in danger.
This list celebrates African American writers from both the past and present, from Maya Angelou and Langston Hughes to Colson Whitehead.
1 Min Read