In “Making Peace with Paradise,” Tania Runyan reflects on her upbringing in the state that gave us suburbs and the Beach Boys.
Classic Biography: “Edgar Lee Masters” by Herbert Russell
In his classic biography of Edgar Lee Masters, Herbert Russell tells the story of a writer defined by one single, enormously successful work.
Poets and Poems: Kathy Fagan and “Bad Hobby”
The 45 poems of “Bad Hobby” by Kathy Fagan return continually to the importance of family and relationships.
Perspective: The Poet Takes a Bike Ride
How does a poet gain perspective? Megan Willome takes a bike ride—in Canada. Share your August reads, fellow poets!
Poets and Poems: Simon Armitage and “The Owl and the Nightingale”
British Poet Laureate Simon Armitage has translated the medieval poem “The Owl and the Nightingale,” and it sounds rather familiar.
Poets and Poems: Colm Tóibín and “Vinegar Hill”
“Vinegar Hill” is the first book of poetry by novelist and writer Colm Tóibín, and it underscores his reputation for storytelling.
“Eliot After ‘The Waste Land’” by Robert Crawford
With “Eliot After ‘The Waste Land,'” British poet and writer Robert Crawford completes his monumental biography of T.S. Eliot.
Poets and Poems: Michał Choiński and “Gifts Without Wrapping”
“Gifts Without Wrapping,” a chapbook of poems by Michał Choiński, describes love and desire in the 21st century.
Perspective: Letters of Three
Parenting is hard—sure—but writing believable parents is hard too. Megan Willome writes letters to three sets of fictional parents.
Experiencing Nature and the Earth with “Earth Song” by Sara Barkat
The 93 poems of Earth Song, collected by Sara Barkat, focus on the earth as an immediate, real place—avoiding abstract, theoretical poetry.
Poets and Poems: Yahia Lababidi and “Desert Songs”
In “Desert Songs,” poet Yahia Lababidi takes us on a pilgrimage to discover what we don’t know and to lose ourselves.
Perspective: Character in the In-Between
Sometimes the best place to develop character is in an in between space—be it the multiverse or the bardo. Come rediscover President Lincoln.
Poets and Poems: Sara Eddy — “Tell the Bees” and “Full Mouth”
Poet Sara Eddy has published two chapbooks — “Tell the Bees” and “Full Mouth” — about bees, food, and life.
“Making Darkness Light: The Lives and Times of John Milton” by Joe Moshenska
In “Making Darkness Light,” Joe Moshenska considers the life and poetry of John Milton to make sense of his own life.
Poets and Poems: Paul Mariani and “All That Will Be New”
In “All That Will Be New,” poet Paul Mariani speaks to the end of things, and he speaks of where he finds hope.
Discovered in the Bodleian: “The Lost Tales of Sir Galahad”
“The Lost Tales of Sir Galahad” explain what really happened to the famed knight after he went searching for the Holy Grail. Sort of.
Poets and Poems: Carlie Hoffman and “This Alaska”
“This Alaska,” by poet Carlie Hoffman, is composed of poems that show a life considered, measured, and not found wanting.
Poets and Poems: Robert Selby and “The Coming-Down Time”
“The Coming-Down Time” by poet Robert Selby tells stories in danger of being forgotten, stories of family, friends, and the past.
Poets and Poems: Martyn Hesford and “Lilac White”
“Lilac White,” a new collection of poems by Martin Hesford, evokes the idea of Impressionist paintings and the poet’s cinematic background.
Poets and Poems: Jesse LoVasco and “Native”
In “Native: Poems,” Jesse LoVasco tells a story of Native Americans then and now, and the story resonates with all of us.