Tweetspeak Poetry

  • Home
  • FREE prompts
  • National Poetry Month
  • Every Day Poems—Subscribe! ✨
  • Teaching Tools
  • Books, Etc.
  • Patron Love

Our Favorite Books About Poetry

By T.S. Poetry 4 Comments

As sure as you stir your hot apple cider with a stick of cinnamon bark, it’s the time of year when the Internet is infused with the spices of year-end list making. Tweetspeak is not one to stand idly by when hot beverages are flowing in abundance, so we asked our team to share their favorite poetry titles.

Today, we’re serving up our favorite books about poetry.

How to Read a Poem: And Fall in Love with Poetry (Edward Hirsch)

As children, we are naturally drawn to poetry. Yet many of us lose our love of it along the way. This lyrical book will help you find the joy and necessity of poetry again. Includes a strong philosophy of poetry and an introduction to some of the most beautiful lines of poetry from around the world.

 

Poemcrazy: Freeing Your Life with Words (Susan Goldsmith Wooldridge)


Full of prompts, Poemcrazy will help you capture images with words. Make a word pool or just fall into the stream with Wooldridge (she wrote a poem about it; you could too). This book is one of our favorites, because it can truly help a person write better poetry, whether a seasoned poet or newcomer. 

The Poetry Home Repair Manual: Practical Advice for Beginning Poets (Ted Kooser)

Kooser permits us to love poetry by debunking the myth of if it confuses you it’s probably good poetry. Good poetry, he argues, is accessible. Then he shows us convincing examples and invites us to a life of poetry. We’re in.

 

Rules for the Dance: A Handbook for Writing and Reading Metrical Verse (Mary Oliver)

Like the Kooser Home Repair Manual, this book can be helpful for beginners. As the subtitle makes clear, it’s specific to metrical poetry. Includes an explanation of how certain metrical forms came to be dominant, as well as readings in those dominant forms (John Donne, William Blake, Emily Dickinson, Elizabeth Bishop, etc.)

 

Ordinary Genius: A Guide for the Poet Within (Kim Addonizio)

We love this book so much we spent five weeks reading it and writing poetry together here at Tweetspeak this year. Packed full of exercises and prompts, this book will teach you the craft, including structure, rhythm, metaphor, and revision, as well as give you plenty of space to play.

Inspired: 8 Ways to Write Poems You Can Love (L.L. Barkat)

Inspired is simple, fun, enriching prompt book that will give you eight ways to write poems you can love (16 ways, if you count the bonus prompts). Includes sections called: Catalog poems, What is Poetry, Why Poetry, Sonnets, Resolutions, Sestinas, Villanelles, and By Heart. You’ll love the beautiful photography included throughout, as well as sample poems from “Morning Argument” where she is “pretty in red, ” to the Cheetos sonnet (See? Sonnets can be fun.)

Poetry at Work (Glynn Young, forward by Scott Edward Anderson)

There is value in taking poetry to work, and finding the poetry that’s already there. Publications like Harvard Business Review and FastCompany are starting to write about the power of poetry—noting poetry’s effectiveness in building creative leaders and problem solvers. Yet there is no single source to guide those who are *at work* every day, with little direction for how to explore the power of poetry in the workplace. Glynn Young’s Poetry at Work is that guide. From discussions about how poetry is built into the very fabric of work, to practical suggestions on how to be a poet at work, this is a book that meets a very real need.

Perhaps you have a favorite book that has helped you learn about or write poetry. Share it in the comment box?

Photo by basykes, Creative Commons license via Flickr.

________________________________

Every Day Poems Driftwood

Buy a year of Every Day Poems, just $5.99

Read a poem a day, become a better poet. In December, we’re exploring the theme Night.

  • Author
  • Recent Posts
T.S. Poetry
T.S. Poetry
Helping you get inspired. With poetry & poetic things.
T.S. Poetry
Latest posts by T.S. Poetry (see all)
  • Poetry Prompt: Scribble a Poem for “Scribble Day” - March 27, 2023
  • Celebrate! A Christmas Carol Illustrated + Poetry Prompt - December 7, 2022
  • Making Peace With Paradise—Celebrate + Poetry Prompt! - September 15, 2022

Filed Under: Blog, book reviews, poetry, poetry teaching resources, writing prompts

Get Every Day Poems...

Comments

  1. L. L. Barkat says

    December 19, 2012 at 11:30 am

    Just thinking. Maybe I should stir my poems with a cinnamon stick 🙂

    Great list! (These are definitely some of my favorites.)

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Our Favorite Poetry Books of the Year - Tweetspeak Poetry says:
    December 19, 2012 at 2:05 pm

    […] we poured a steamy cup of spiced apple cider and a list of our favorite books about poetry. As promised, today we’re serving eggnog (well, yes, there’s a batch of Tom and Jerry […]

    Reply
  2. The Wake Up Call - 27 December 2012 says:
    December 27, 2012 at 2:34 am

    […] TS Poetry: 2012′s Best Books about reading/writing poetry […]

    Reply
  3. Eating and Drinking Poems: Mary Oliver's "The Mango" says:
    February 27, 2014 at 9:30 am

    […] mouth-watering homage to the warm, sweet taste of summer, the sticky juice of the mango, and Mary Oliver’s sharp, delicious poetry. For those who are lucky enough to live somewhere warm and vaguely tropical, enjoy. But even if […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Cute Comic

😊

The Sadbook Collections

A stick-figure human sure to capture your heart.

Take How to Read a Poem

Get the Introduction, the Billy Collins poem, and Chapter 1

get the sample now

Welcome to Tweetspeak

New to Tweetspeak Poetry? Start here, in The Mischief Café. You're a regular? Check out our March Menu.

Patron Love

❤️

Welcome a little patron love, when you help keep the world poetic.

Now a Graphic Novel!

"Stunning, heartbreaking, and relevant illustrations"

Callie Feyen, teacher

read a summary of The Yellow Wallpaper

meet The Yellow Wallpaper characters

Your Comments

  • Laurie Klein on Poems to Listen By: Black Bird Soirée 04—A Plausible Story
  • Bethany on Poems to Listen By: Black Bird Soirée 04—A Plausible Story
  • L.L. Barkat on 50 States of Generosity- New Jersey
  • 50 States of Generosity- New Jersey - Tweetspeak Poetry on Poetry at Work: The Doctor—William Carlos Williams

How to Write Poetry

Featured In

We're happy to have been featured in...

The Huffington Post

The Paris Review

The New York Observer

Tumblr Book News

Stay in Touch With Us

Categories

Coloring Page Poem Printables!

Get all free coloring page poems now

Learn to Write Form Poems

How to Write an Acrostic

How to Write a Ballad

How to Write a Catalog Poem

How to Write a Ghazal

How to Write a Haiku

How to Write an Ode

How to Write a Pantoum

How to Write a Rondeau

How to Write a Sestina

How to Write a Sonnet

How to Write a Villanelle

5 FREE POETRY PROMPTS

Get 5 FREE inbox poetry prompts from the popular book How to Write a Poem

Shakespeare Resources

Poetry Classroom: Sonnet 18

Common Core Picture Poems: Sonnet 73

Sonnet 104 Annotated

Sonnet 116 Annotated

Character Analysis: Romeo and Juliet

Character Analysis: Was Hamlet Sane or Insane?

Why Does Hamlet Wait to Kill the King?

10 Fun Shakespeare Resources

About Shakespeare: Poet and Playwright

Top 10 Shakespeare Sonnets

See all 154 Shakespeare sonnets in our Shakespeare Library!

Explore Work From Black Poets

About Us

  • • A Blessing for Writers
  • • Annual Theme 2022: Perspective
  • • Annual Theme 2021: Generous
  • • Our Story
  • • Meet Our Team
  • • Literary Citizenship
  • • Poet Laura
  • • Poetry for Life: The 5 Vital Approaches
  • • T. S. Poetry Press – All Books
  • • Contact Us

Write With Us

  • • 5 FREE Poetry Prompts-Inbox Delivery
  • • 30 Days to Richer Writing Workshop
  • • How to Write Form Poems-Infographics
  • • Poetry Club Tea Date
  • • Poetry Prompts
  • • Submissions

Read With Us

  • • All Our Books
  • • Book Club
  • • Every Day Poems—Subscribe! ✨
  • • Literacy Extras
  • • Poems to Listen By: Audio Series
  • • Poet-a-Day
  • • Poets and Poems
  • • 50 States Projects
  • • Charlotte Perkins Gilman Poems Library
  • • Edgar Allan Poe Poems Arts & Experience Library
  • • William Blake Poems Arts & Experience Library
  • • William Shakespeare Sonnet Library

Celebrate With Us

  • • Poem on Your Pillow Day
  • • Poetic Earth Month
  • • Poet in a Cupcake Day
  • • Poetry at Work Day
  • • Random Acts of Poetry Day
  • • Take Your Poet to School Week
  • • Take Your Poet to Work Day

Gift Ideas

  • • Every Day Poems
  • • Our Shop
  • • Everybody Loves a Book!

Connect

  • • Donate
  • • Blog Buttons
  • • By Heart
  • • Shop for Tweetspeak Fun Stuff

Copyright © 2023 Tweetspeak Poetry · FAQ, Disclosure & Privacy Policy

We serve poetry with our cookies. Because that's the way it should be.
We serve poetry with your cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you... accept the cookies with a smile.
Do not sell my personal information.
Cookie SettingsAccept
update cookie prefs

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT