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Anticipated Poetry Reads of 2020

Hello Poetteers,

Happy new year! I'm looking forward to more poetry from new and favorite authors.

January

All Along You Were Blooming by Morgan Harper Nichols

"A celebration of hope. An encounter with grace. A restoration of the heart. A healing of wounds. An anthem of freedom. All Along You Were Blooming is the ultimate love letter from the pen of popular Instagram poet Morgan Harper Nichols to your mind, to your heart, to your soul, and to your body."

February

Sincerely, by F.S. Yousaf

"Searching for a profound way to propose to his love, F.S. Yousaf reread the letters she had written him. In them he found his proposal, as well as inspiration to write his own prose and poetry. From this inspiration, Sincerely was born. It carries messages of positivity, hope, and most of all, true love."

shot glass confessional by Cyrus Parker

"Non-binary poet Cyrus Parker returns with shot glass confessional, a collection of 50 shot-glass-sized poems about discovering your worth and reclaiming your power, both in the context of relationships, and outside of them."

Healing by Gabriella Alziari

"Healing is a collection of poems about a woman's journey to overcome pain and discover her inner power. It is divided into five sections: My Solitude, My Pain, My Passion, My Power, and My Spirituality. Each poem is paired with magical illustrations."

March

Break Your Glass Slippers by Amanda Lovelace

"break your glass slippers is about overcoming those who don’t see your worth, even if that person is sometimes yourself. in the epic tale of your life, you are the most important character while everyone is but a forgotten footnote. even the prince."

a fire like you by Upile Chisala

"In this never-before-published collection, poet Upile Chisala grapples with themes of love, loss, and desire. Throughout this third book, she explores her identity as a black Malawian woman, offering intimate reflections on her life and experiences, imparting a stirring, universal message of empowerment and self-love."

I Hope You Stay by Courtney Peppernell 

"I Hope You Stay is a reminder of the resilience and hope needed after heartache and pain. The book is divided into five sections, with poems ranging from free verse to short form. These words are a light in the deepest hours of the night: Hold on. The sun is coming."

April

Driftwood by Marya Layth

"Driftwood is a poetry collection about the author's experience being raised by an abuser and surviving an abusive relationship. Marya Layth uses poetry as a lifeline into the most light-deprived places of the past. Ghosts are reawakened and their features are conjured with achingly honest detail."

Obit by Victoria Chang

"This collection studies the sensation of grief after the death of Chang’s mother through obituaries dedicated to the unspoken people, objects, and experiences a single death impacts."

May

Deluge by Leila Chatti

"This collection investigates faith, shame, grief, medical treatment, and gender through the lens of an Arab-American woman suffering from an extended period of bleeding."

June

When the Stars Wrote Back by Trista Mateer 

"In the vein of poetry collections like Milk and Honey and Light Filters In, this compilation of short, powerful poems from Instagram sensation Trista Mateer shines beauty and insight into relationships, love, growing up, and learning to cope."

August

Shades of Lovers by Catarine Hancock

"Explore the experience of six different relationships in this moving collection that dives into the highs and lows of love."

Chaotic Silence by Cynthia Cisneros

"She lives in her mind where she’s brainwashed to worship decades of chaotic silence of cherry-red darkness outlining her ribs." 

Far From the Shallow by Linda Musleh

"Far From The Shallow is a book of poetry and prose related to the heartbreak and trauma of toxic relationships. It's a story about letting go and saying goodbye, while dealing with the most painful experiences of life and love."

September

coffee days whiskey nights by Cyrus Parker

"a collection of poetry, prose, and aphorisms that juxtaposes the hopefulness a brand new day can bring with the lingering thoughts that often keep us up into the late-night hours."

October

Sorry I Haven’t Texted You Back by Alicia Cook 

"Returning to the form of Stuff I’ve Been Feeling Lately, Sorry I Haven’t Texted You Back is a beacon of light for all who struggle or have struggled with their mental health. The focus on mental health doesn’t sacrifice universal appeal; the book includes the evergreen issues of love, loss, and heartbreak. Based on her viral Instagram poem, Sorry I Haven’t Texted You Back, this collection lands in the crossroads of self-help and poetry."

Poems for the End of the World by Katie Wismer

"a coming of age collection and exploration of the confusing and disillusioning trek through young adulthood in a broken world. Divided into four chapters—waking up, growing pains, crushing realities, and disappointing beginnings—this collection covers everything from self-discovery and heartbreak to chronic illness and fresh starts."

November

it's past midnight somewhere by Jamal-e-Fatima

A debut collection of poetry about revisiting pain, reclaiming heritage and rediscovering bliss in solitude.
Prayers of my Youth by F.S. Yousaf

"F.S. Yousaf displays some of his most powerful work in an autobiographical collection which revolves around spirituality, love, and finding oneself. Filled with longer poems, this is different from his previous works, as this one carries a story which others may struggle to tell."

December

I’ll Fly Away by Rudy Francisco

"In his stunningly intimate, highly anticipated follow up to Helium, Rudy Fransico has created a collection of poems that savor the day-to-day, treating it as worship, turning it into an opportunity to plant new seeds of growth. Language so often fails us, but Fransico has found his way around this as he creates his own words for the things our language cannot give name to."

What poetry books are you looking forward to reading? 

Stay inspired,
Fida

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