“Cane” by Jean Toomer is considered a modernist classic, compared favorably and critically to the works of William Faulkner.
Poets and Poems: John Martin Finlay and “Dense Poems & Socratic Light”
“Dense Poems & Socratic Light” by John Martin Finlay is the best collection of the poet’s published and unpublished work available.
An Ode to Poetry: “How to Write a Form Poem” by Tania Runyan
“How to Write a Form Poem” by Tania Runyan is a guide to 10 poetic forms. It also stands as an ode to poetry.
Reading Generously: The Great Gatsby Poetry
In her new edition, Tania Runyan says ‘The Great Gatsby’ might as well be poetry. Megan Willome puts that assertion to the poetic test.
Poets and Poems: James Tweedie and “Mostly Sonnets”
“Mostly Sonnets” by James Tweedie shows how the poetic form can also be used for important subjects other than love.
Poets and Poems: Brad Lussier and “How Does He Love Me?”
The 47 sonnets of “How Does He Love Me?” by Brad Lussier remind us that love is transcendent, eternal and unchanging.
A Novel About Hughes and Plath: “Your Story, My Story” by Connie Palmen
In the novel “Your Story, My Story,” Dutch author Connie Palmen tells an unexpected story of the poets Ted Hughes and Sylvia Plath.
Poets and Poems: Osip Mandelstam and “Poems”
Osip Mandelstam (1891-1938) was a leading poet in the Silver Age of Russian poetry, until ran afoul of the Stalinist regime.
Poets and Poems: Chandra Gurung and “My Father’s Face”
The 47 poems of “My Father’s Face” by Chandra Gurung point to the contradictions of life inherent in all cultures and societies.
Forgotten Classics: “The Moon Is Down” by John Steinbeck
“The Moon Is Down,” the 1942 short novel by John Steinbeck, was disliked by U.S. critics, but it had a large impact in occupied Europe.
Poets and Poems: Charles Hughes and “The Evening Sky”
The poetry of “The Evening Sky” by Charles Hughes speaks to the mortality of life and focusing on what truly matters.
Poets and Poems: Samuel Hazo and “The Next Time We Saw Paris”
“The Next Time We Saw Paris” by Samuel Hazo is a poetry collection filled with wisdom, understanding, and the directness of experience.
Poets and Poems: River Dixon and “Lost in the Hours”
The dreams of “Lost in the Hours,” the new poetry collection by River Dixon, offer reflection and respite, focusing on what matters.
Poets and Poems: Damien Donnelly and “Eat the Storms”
In “Eat the Storms,” poet Damien Donnelly explores the layered meanings of color. allowing us different readings and different meanings.
Poets and Poems: James Matthew Wilson and “The Strangeness of the Good”
“The Strangeness of the Good” by James Matthew Wilson celebrates the things in life that endure and that we share in our common humanity.
Poets and Poems: Laura Reece Hogan and “Litany of Flights”
“Litany of Flights” by Laura Reece Hogan leaves us with a sense of wonder, the same wonder we feel when we see mountains for the first time.
Poets and Poems: Troy Cady and “Featherdusting the Moon”
The 100 poems of “Featherdusting the Moon” by Troy Cady exhibit a sense of play, accompanied by a sense of wisdom and humility.
Reading Generously: ‘How We Fight for Our Lives’ by Saeed Jones
This month our book review column becomes Reading Generously. We begin with Saeed Jones’ open-handed memoir.
Forgotten Classics: “Understood Betsy” by Dorothy Canfield Fisher
In “Understood Betsy,” Dorothy Canfield Fisher wrote a timeless children’s story about growing up and self-reliance.
“How to Think Like Shakespeare” by Scott Newstok
In “How to Think Like Shakespeare,” Scott Newstok considers the purpose of education and what we can learn from Shakespeare.