Poetry Readers Challenge discussion

Copying in some words from previous notes:

Don't feel pressured about reviews. They don't have to be long or examine the poetry in depth. You could look at a theme, or diction, subject matter, imagery, form, word choice, or emotional effect. Whatever you like. Or pick a poem you liked & talk about that. If something doesn't appeal to you, we'd be interested to hear about that.

Try to be balanced in reviews. Just because you dislike it doesn't mean it's without value. I'm not big on Gerald Manley Hopkins, but no reflection on him. Aside from being fair, there's no need to dress up your reaction. You don't have to feel pressured to be insincere because so-and-so is the editor of Mega Poemetry Annual & you're longing to have a piece accepted there. If you're uncomfortable, don't review!

And don't be shy about reviewing a book because someone else already has. We love that.

We also love links to poem(s) from the book!

Read and prosper.
Sarah

Great idea to post this.

It IS a challenge to articulate what we like or don't like about poetry so do what you're able to do and don't stress about it.

Never any need to turn this into a reviewing competition, whether with others or with yourself. Sometimes we only have time for a brief review and sometimes what we've read inspires something more involved. And the variety of tastes here is what keeps it interesting.

Thanks to both of you for this. I put too much pressure on myself when it comes to these reviews. I easily read 3 books of poetry for every 1 I review.

Sometimes I read a book and don't review it because I don't want to give it a "bad" review. Crabby reviews when I admit my own annoyances, I do all the time. But if I think the poetry is awful, I don't write a review.

I wonder if we need some simpler format/guideline for those times when we don't have time for a review but want to let people know that we've read a book. Not sure what that would be. Will think on it. Feel free to share if you have any ideas.

I post on every poetry book I read. That's how proud I am. "Hey, Mikey! He read it!"

Thanks all. Everyone can write as much as they like, but it's not necessary to do a long review or feel pressured. I often try to keep mine short because I think more people will read them.
It is helpful, however, when folks include a short excerpt or link(s) to a poem.
I've also skipped reviewing books I disliked or, more like it, didn't get. Last month, after a fourth try reading a poetry book that's been on my list forever, I said uncle. Too obscure. My review would have offered nothing.

Jen wrote: "Sometimes I read a book and don't review it because I don't want to give it a "bad" review. Crabby reviews when I admit my own annoyances, I do all the time. But if I think the poetry is awful, I d..."

I'm with you, Jen. That's one reason I was happy to discover that the rating isn't necessary on Goodreads to post a review. I don't even want to be the first 4 when they have all 5-star reviews. The same restraint doesn't apply to other books, but I know how much harder it is for poets to find readers.

I also don't review books I really find awful.

Nina wrote: "I also don't review books I really find awful."

If they're that bad, I don't even finish them.

I'm going to the states in a few days for vacation and have three new books waiting for me:



There are two others I hope to buy, too. Looking forward to getting my hands on them.

I've been vacationing here for YEARS. Oh. The books. Cool. Only I don't recognize a single one.

Lesle Lewis is one of my favorites. I've read and enjoyed Karen Rigby and am interested in reading more. The other was recommended, so I'm treating myself to the unknown.

Are you going to Pennsylvania again?

Yes, Philadelphia, then New Jersey. Looking forward to visiting my favourite used book store in Philly!

Well, I'll miss you unless you decide to poke around Boston's bookstores. One of these days...

when will you be in Philly?

March 27 to April 5. My sister lives in Philly and we've rented a place for my mother's 80th birthday. :) I only hope air travel is not harrowing after the terrorist attacks this week.

Happy Birthday, Mom! (My parents just turned 81 last year.) Enjoy Philly and the family. There's a rhyme to get your homecoming poem started....

One of the things I enjoy about this group is finding like-minded souls who read and review poetry. As Alairie says it is harder for poets to find readers.

I hope you had a good holiday S.

I beat the bushes
but get birds
not poetry readers.

(My haiku for the day. And yes, I was in the sun too long this morning.)

S: What or where is the used book store in Philly you allude to above?

Hi Donald. The bookstore is at 2202 Fairmount Ave, in the art museum neighbourhood. It's called Book Haven. Are you in or near Philly? There are other good used bookstores, but this is my fav. On my last visit I bought a copy of WS Merwin's translations that it turned out he had signed. :)

Thanks S. I don't get to that section of Philly much. I used to frequent a book store on 5th and South Street, but now I exclusively go to the one on 40th near Spruce on the outskirts of Penn's campus. The fellow who owns the store is willing to look out for books for me, so I am a loyal customer. Most of my books are purchased on the internet, and since I'm not the only one who can say that, I suspect the Brick and Mortar stores' days are numbered.
It's always a thrill to get a signed copy when you're only paying for a regular one - I've lucked out there several times!

It's my impression that Book Haven does charge slightly more for signed copies, but it's such a low price anyway that it doesn't matter. Since I live in Germany, I buy most of my books on the internet too! So it's wonderful to wallow at the used bookstore when I'm stateside.

S - Since I can now ride SEPTA for free, I'll put BOOK HAVEN on my list of places to visit before I die!! One downside about ordering books on the internet, for me, is - if I'm not the one who sees it when it arrives, then I have to listen to a long 'song & dance' about there already being too many books in the house!!

I love signed copies-how cool to get one signed by Merwin! I used to go to Robin's in Philly.

Donald wrote: "S - Since I can now ride SEPTA for free, I'll put BOOK HAVEN on my list of places to visit before I die!! One downside about ordering books on the internet, for me, is - if I'm not the one who sees..."
I hear that song & dance here myself...

Nina wrote: "I love signed copies-how cool to get one signed by Merwin! I used to go to Robin's in Philly."
Yes, I was planning to buy it anyway, but was super convinced when I saw that he'd signed it. I love Merwin.