In this fast pacing world, we must take a few minutes for ourselves and do something to rest our body, mind, and soul. Reading poetry books is one of the best ways to unwind.
Poetry expands our knowledge and helps in channeling one’s emotions in the form of art. It can have calming effects on your mind.
Good poetry has the power to inspire, challenge and motivate us. It forces us to slow down and focus on each word. Here, we recommend 10 English poetry books that will leave you with a newfound love for poetic literature.
#1 And Still I Rise by Maya Angelou
About the book
Title: And Still I Rise
Author: Maya Angelou
Genre: Poetry
Publisher: Random House
Goodreads rating: 4.4/5
This is an inspiring and moving collection of Maya Angelou’s poems celebrating self-love and self-acceptance. The poet expresses her great self-esteem and pride in her black ancestry. She motivates others and says she will rise above any injustice and suppression. This resilient work of art reminds us of African-American traditions and the inhumane practice of slavery.
Why do we recommend this book?
The poems in this poetry book are aimed at the racial discrimination that people of color are subjected to in America. These poems are perfect read to learn more about mixed cultures and the struggles of racism. In addition, this is a book to enhance your knowledge about discrimination and slavery.
To buy/gift And Still I Rise, click on the below link:
#2 The Sun And Her Flowers by Rupi Kaur
About the Book
Title: The Sun And Her Flowers
Author: Rupi Kaur
Genre: Poetry
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Ltd.
Goodreads rating: 4.1/5
It is a collection of poetry in five parts by Rupi Kaur. These five sections trace Kaur’s journey toward self-love and self-empowerment. The five parts – ‘wilting’ deals with self-hatred, depression, and loneliness, ‘falling’ deals with Rupi’s past experiences and her childhood, ‘rooting’ deals with immigration issues, ‘rising’ deals with the author’s journey of learning to love herself, and ‘blooming’ is the conclusion to this marvelous book which emphasizes self-acceptance.
Why do we recommend this book?
The poetry books with the minimalist writing style of Rupi are excellent for someone to embark on their self-discovery and self-love journey. The contents of this poetry book are relatable and helped me immensely with my acceptance issues and embracing myself.
To buy/gift The Sun And Her Flowers, click on the below link:
#3 Ariel by Sylvia Plath
About the Book
Title: Ariel
Author: Sylvia Plath
Genre: Poetry
Publisher: Faber And Faber
Goodreads rating: 4.2/5
Ariel is a collection of poems dominated by ideas of death, suicide, and sadness. This poetry book provides insight into the mind of the author. The dark themes exploded by the poet show her battle with mental health issues. The poems are intense, personal, and delicately crafted.
Why do we recommend this book?
The free-flowing images and characteristically menacing psychic landscapes make this title a dramatic read. This is one of the most expressive works of poetry. It can rouse a reader’s emotions, as all poetry books do.
P.S – It might be triggering for some people as the themes and contents of this book are dark and intense.
To buy/gift Ariel, click on the below link:
#4 The Truth About Magic by Atticus
About the book
Title: The Truth About Magic
Author: Atticus
Genre: Poetry
Publisher: St. Martins Publishing Group
Goodreads rating: 3.9/5
Atticus has created a stunningly beautiful collection of short poems in this piece of art. Through this title, Atticus takes us on a journey full of youth, love, adventure, darkness, and stars. Each poem has a different theme. The primary purpose of this book is to find ourselves and look for simple joys in life. Atticus reminds us that magic is everywhere.
Why do we recommend this book?
This is a visual reading experience as the author has added images of fireworks, starlight, etc., inside the book in grayscale. Together, the play of words and these images makes for a perfect thoughtful read. Compared to other poetry books, this is a title to finish within a day.
To buy/gift TheTruth About Magic, click on the below link:
#5 If I Tell You The Truth by Jasmin Kaur
About the book
Title: If I Tell You The Truth
Author: Jasmin Kaur
Genre: Poetry
Publisher: Harper Collins
Goodreads rating: 4.3/5
It is prose, poetry, illustration, and novel all in one. It narrates the heart-wrenching story of Kiran and her teenage daughter, Sahara. Kiran is a young Punjabi Sikh woman who is sexually assaulted and becomes pregnant. Living undocumented in Canada for several years, Kiran was arrested, and Sahaara is desperate to help her mother. She also encourages her mother to speak up against the man who assaulted her. Throughout this novel, Sahaara tries to support Kiran while dealing with the revelation about her parents.
Why do we recommend this book?
Weighty matters like sexual assault, trauma, immigration, domestic violence, and substance use make up a considerable chunk of this novel. In addition, the story highlights cultural notions of gender roles, marriage, and lack of control over one’s life. However, I recommend this book because of the story and the strong, resilient character of Kiran. Her love and hope for her daughter and the sacrifices that she made are remarkable.
P.S – The concepts of sexual assault, domestic violence, etc., in this, can trigger some readers.
To buy/gift If I Tell You the Truth, click on the below link:
#6 Bloom by Beau Taplin
About the book
Title: Bloom
Author: Beau Taplin
Genre: Poetry
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Goodreads rating: 3.9/5
Bloom is a stunning collection of over 140 poems that touches on concepts like growth, the human heart, challenging times, the battles scars on human souls, and the renewal of human life. Beautifully designed with several pieces to a page, Bloom offers a unique twist on old topics: love, grief, and lessons from life’s challenging times.
Why do we recommend this book?
I would recommend this poetry book to readers for its thought-provoking qualities. Several of these poems are very deep and can help to challenge ingrained notions of being unworthy. It will help you see the beauty in everything – the good and the bad.
To buy/gift Bloom, click on the below link:
#7 The Complete Poems of Emily Dickinson by Emily Dickinson
About the book
Title: The Complete Poems of Emily Dickinson
Author: Emily Dickinson
Genre: Poetry
Publisher: Little, Brown, and Company of Boston
Goodreads rating: 4.3/5
The poems in this compilation are everything that the speaker wants to say. She brings the readers her writing and her heart disguised in words through her poetry book. She explores the complexity of human nature and the sweet taste of success. The poet asserts that relying on science is better as it is backed with evidence. Other themes, like faith, hope, etc., are also touched upon. And,d of course, her most famous creation – ‘I felt a Funeral in my Brain’ is a part of this book.
Why do we recommend this book?
Her poems name so incisively many of our most troubling emotions. It has the power to challenge readers’ expectations and can break their notions about traditional poetry. It explores several themes in this collection of all the poems ever written by Emily Dickinson.
To buy/gift The Complete Poems of Emily Dickinson, click on the below link:
#8 Fierce Fairytales by Nikita Gill
About the book
Title: Fierce Fairytales And Other Short Stories
Author: Nikita Gill
Genre: Poetry
Publisher: Orion Publishing Co.
Goodreads rating: 4/5
This book is, no doubt, one of the best works of Nikita Gill. Gill reimagines fairytale classics and spellbinding original tales in this collection of poems. In addition, it consists of many hand-drawn illustrations by the author herself.
Why do we recommend this book?
It’s a refreshing take on all the childhood stories we have ever read and been told. It is powerful, strong, thought-provoking, and yet gentle and delicate. This poetry book is highly recommended to challenge your perceptions about fairy tales and for young girls to feel empowered and strong. This is a perfect read for fans of Rupi Kaur.
To buy/gift Fierce Fairytales And Other Short Stories, click on the below link:
#9 Yesterday I Was the Moon by Noor Unnahar
About the book
Title: Yesterday I Was the Moon
Author: Noor Unnahar
Genre: Poetry
Publisher: Genre
Goodreads rating: 3.9/5
In this collection, talented Pakistani poet Noor Unnahar voices her cultural background, the idea of home, loss, and art. The minimalist writing style of many of the poems in this book makes for a flowy narration. Her experiences with growing up in Pakistan, the roles to be played by the women of such a society, and the struggles they faced form its base. It’s like reading the personal diary of the poet.
Why do we recommend this book?
This title is highly recommended for readers who enjoy reading simple, short, flowy poems. The concepts explored are deep and informational. Through this, one can glimpse into the lives of people brought up in Pakistani culture and tradition. The black-and-white photos paired with poetry give the book a photo diary feels.
To buy/gift Yesterday I Was the Moon, click on the below link:
#10 The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo
About the book
Title: The Poet X
Author: Elizabeth Acevedo
Genre: Poetry
Publisher: Harper Teen
Goodreads rating: 4.4/5
This novel is full of slam poetry written by renowned poet Elizabeth Acevedo. The plot revolves around Xiomara Baptista, who feels unheard in her Harlem neighborhood. She has plenty she wants to say and pours all her emotions onto the pages of her notebook. She refuses to be silent, and the perfect opportunity for her to voice her thoughts comes from the school’s slam poetry club. But her mother will never allow her to speak her words out loud. And yet, she dreams of performing her words in poetry.
Why do we recommend this book?
The author designs the poetic voice of Xiomara for stage performances. It exposes the personal struggles of the author, who is an Afro-Latina immigrant. It is touching and inspiring, with a solid female character running the entire narrative.
To buy/gift The Poet X, click on the below link:
Reading poetry books makes you a better reader overall. It helps in critical thinking development. I hope you find something relatable and thought-provoking in these poetry books. That’s all for the recommendation for must-read poetry books.
To conclude, here are the 10 best poetry books you must have on your wishlist.
| 1 | And Still I Rise by Maya Angelou | Buy Now |
| 2 | The Sun And Her Flowers by Rupi Kaur | Buy Now |
| 3 | Ariel by Sylvia Plath | Buy Now |
| 4 | The Truth About Magic by Atticus | Buy Now |
| 5 | If I Tell You The Truth by Jasmin Kaur | Buy Now |
| 6 | Bloom by Beau Taplin | Buy Now |
| 7 | The Complete Poems of Emily Dickinson by Emily Dickinson | Buy Now |
| 8 | Fierce Fairytales by Nikita Gill | Buy Now |
| 9 | Yesterday I Was the Moon by Noor Unnahar | Buy Now |
| 10 | The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo | Buy Now |
Read every book on this list. I am sure it won’t disappoint you.
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Disclosure: All our recommendations are honest; most importantly, some links in this post are affiliate links (i.e.) we may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something we recommend.
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