Read Women discussion

This thread is for discussing our poetry finds and recommendations, and also a place to request a recommendation. Whether you're a knowledgeable poetry fan or a reader who reluctantly, occasionally reads poetry (once a year, during April, maybe), this thread is for you.

Share your favorite poets and collections here, as well as new releases, questions and anything else that crosses your mind.

The National Book Foundation issued its longlist of 10 titles for the 2026 National Book Award for Poetry. Includes male authors.

Victoria Chang
Tree of Knowledge


Carolina Ebeid
Hide: Poems


Brenda Hillman
Still House in the Desert: An eco-contemplation


Richie Hofmann, The Bronze Arms

Fady Joudah, Exhibit G: Poems, Essays, and Photographs of Gaza

Layli Long Soldier
We


Jonah Mixon-Webster, Promise/Threat

Jake Rose, JOAN

Jake Skeets, Horses

Susan Stewart
Bramble


If you've read any of these or have a point of view on the poets, let us know.

Some collections that I have really enjoyed:

Tomorrow Someone Will Arrest You by Meena Kandasamy

Poems To Live By in Uncertain Times by Joan Murray.

You're Not a Girl in a Movie by Hala Alyan

Conflict Resolution for Holy Beings: Poems and An American Sunrise by Joy Harjo

Phenomenal Woman: Four Poems Celebrating Women by Maya Angelou

Thanks for sharing these, Misty. I'll work through them. I am fairly lost when I look through poetry collections at my library; having a list of titles to explore gives me some direction and increases my odds of finding a poetry whose work resonates, but also isn't so far over my head that I don't get it. (I'm looking at you, Emily Dickinson.)

I just bought The Wonderment and am eagerly awaiting its arrival. Trommer publishes a new poem every day -- available if you sign up for her emails, but this will be the first collection of hers that I've gotten to read in physical form. I think they are mostly selected from her daily output, but will know more once it arrives.

I didn't know Kandasamy wrote poetry, Misty--thanks!

It feels like a long time since I read a collection that really wowed me. Lots of solid 4-star reads with Juvenilia and My Heresies being probably my two most recent favorites. A longtime favorite of mine is Wislawa Szymborska.

@Misty

Thanks again for introducing me to Hala Alyan. I listened to You're Not a Girl in a Movie on audio (Alyan's the narrator) Saturday. 10*. She's the first poet since I discovered Warsan Shire where every single poem resonates. I loved listening to her interpreting her own poems. I loved that it was free on Audible : ) And now I've downloaded and begun listening to the next free collection: The Twenty-Ninth Year: Poems.

G wrote: "I just bought The Wonderment and am eagerly awaiting its arrival. Trommer publishes a new poem every day -- available if you sign up for her emails, but this will be the first coll..."

Added to my TBR and will find her sign-up. Thanks, G!

Carol wrote: "@Misty

Thanks again for introducing me to Hala Alyan. I listened to You're Not a Girl in a Movie on audio (Alyan's the narrator) Saturday. 10*. She's the first poe..."

I'm so glad you enjoyed her work! I also enjoyed The Twenty-Ninth Year - not quite as much as You're Not a Girl in a Movie, but still a very good read.

Hi everyone,

Am linda and am new here, well this is my first time commenting in the group as well, i do love you to recommend a book and like to see it in the reading challenge which is "The Gulag of Sex" by David done. he his a friend of mine and i love to see his book do well.


The Gulag of Sex

I’m interested in this book because it explores sexuality and society from a perspective that feels honest and thought-provoking. the way it connects personal experiences with law, tradition, and social expectations.

its a poetry that will make you pause, question familiar ideas, and see difficult subjects differently.

I believe choosing this book could lead to an interesting and meaningful discussion among readers.

Linda wrote: "Hi everyone,

Am linda and am new here, well this is my first time commenting in the group as well, i do love you to recommend a book and like to see it in the reading challenge which is "The Gula..."

Linda - thanks for sharing your thoughts. Generally, as per our name, and excluding the "What have you finished" thread, we discuss and share recs for women authors. Having read your 'about me', this comment is coming across as promoting this author's book and encouraging others to also promote it. If that's the case, please delete it. If it isn't, just note for the future.