The 10 Best Poetry Books
Special Honors
The Poetry Foundation The Poetry Foundation is the publisher of Poetry magazine and an independent literary organization that exists to discover and celebrate the best poetry and to place it before the largest possible audience. Devotees can browse through scores of works by a diverse range of poets, with categories for children and teens as well as prose and themed collections. poetryfoundation.org
Poetry Society of America Founded in 1910 by poets, editors, and artists, The Poetry Society of America is one of the nation's longest standing organizations of its kind. Past members have included such luminaries as Robert Frost, Langston Hughes, Edna St. Vincent Millay, and more. They offer news, features, and information about contests, residencies, conferences, bookstores, and organizations promoting poetry. The PSA also hosts an annual award ceremony and sells books written by the winners. poetrysociety.org
Editor's Notes
May 28, 2020:
When revisiting this list, we wanted to expand our offerings to reach a wider audience, as well as ensure a diversity of voices. To that effect, we removed three volumes which we maintain would make a great addition to any poetry lover's library, but we felt no longer had a place on this list. They are I Know Your Kind, Great American Prose Poems, and Jack Gilbert: Collected Poems.
I Know Your Kind is beautifully wrought and harrowing, but rather niche, while American Prose Poems falls a bit flat in its curation. Jack Gilbert: Collected Poems offers plenty to chew over, but comes from a place of privilege that can lack perspective at times. To fill the void, we brought on Night Sky with Exit Wounds, written by up and coming poet and Vietnamese-American Ocean Vuong, 101 Famous Poems, a collection perfectly primed for beginners, and Maya Angelou: The Complete Poetry, which offers a range of emotion, gorgeous verse, and arresting perspectives. If you're interested in continuing your search for thought-provoking poetry collections, you'll also want to check out our roundup on the subject.
If you're looking for classics to sink your teeth into, then you can't go wrong with The Complete Poems Of Emily Dickinson and Walt Whitman's "Leaves Of Grass", while Arthur Rimbaud's "Illuminations" is ideal for fans of grandiose surrealism. Howl And Other Poems is a raw, expletive-filled selection that is cathartic to read, tackling tough subjects head-on with a vivacity and energy that is almost palpable. If you're in the mood for rumination and romantic storytelling, Invisible Cities is a must.