The last few years have been an absolute dream for poetry. Over the course of those years, we have been introduced to countless new talents in the genre.

Poetry is meant to stir the soul and create a sense of intimacy between writer and reader. You know the prose is good when the author introduces themselves to you, giving you that affinity for the words they speak. From that point onward, your life echos the sentences they provide.

In this community, words tie us together in ways that ordinary novels often don't.* They get under your skin. They understand you as you grow to understand them. One can often develop a sort of invisible kinship toward them. Most importantly, they make you feel. 

Their pain. Their joy. Their humor. Their love. Poetry is an instant connection into the parts which they allow us to see. Sometimes, we find ourselves in the lines. In poetry, anything is possible.

*Many novels accomplish this too, don't get me wrong. 

Autumn is the perfect time to discover the best of the genre. Nothing says the fall quite like your favourite hot beverage (give me all the coffee) and poetry. Because of this, I've complied a list of rather recently published books of poetry for you to discover (or reread) this autumn.

These are the poets that inspire me daily.

These are the poets you should be reading.

So for the love of prose, settle in.



Peluda by Melissa Lozada-Oliva: There's something so deeply moving in her words and one thing is certain: she is a voice that was desperately needed in poetry. And her prose is something of magic, humor and complexity.

The Chaos of Longing by K.Y. Robinson: For me, there's nothing more stunning than this collection. It takes a special talent to express themselves and scatter emotion throughout the pages of a book. But for them to do it in poems? That's some sort of otherworldly magic. I'm here for everything that K.Y. Robinson writes. She's got a stan for life.

Smoke & Mirrors by Michael Faudet: I loved the way that intimacy--far, wide, casual--was explored. There were many standouts that I can't wait to highlight in a physical copy. It's impossible to not feel something at every turn of pen. Isn't that what we all love about poetry to begin with? To fell--compelled, related, understood. To learn.



Depression & Other Magic Tricks by Sabrina Benaim:  I felt so connected to Sabrina Benaim's Depression & Other Magic Tricks that there were a few times I had to look away from it, and myself, just to breathe. Benaim shows us fragments of every little piece of herself--dashing through her prose with an ease. She is compelling and relatable. Full of life and hope and pain and love and all the hints of humanity that don't go away at the snap of a finger.

The Princess Saves Herself in this One by Amanda Lovelace: The Princess Saves Herself in this One shines because Amanda's writing shines in a way that is captivating and intimate. Her words leave you feeling, feeling, feeling. At every turn, every line in every poem from every section, you're left with a buzz. I swore I could feel my skin tingling in joy and heartbreak, every emotion brought a new sensation to my mind and I find it impossible to describe.

Bone by Yrsa Daley-Ward: Yrsa Daley-Ward is no stranger to expressive prose and Bone is a firm nod to this. In just a few pages, readers of all ages will be compelled by her poetry and the bluntness she portrays life in small passages. From hard-to-handle, to perfectly-accurate, to some combination of the both; Daley-Ward is one of the most phenomenal talents to come to the world of modern poetry. I'm just stating facts.


Milk and Honey by Rupi Kaur: Milk and Honey is a raw, honest-to-its-core journey of life. Kaur casts a spell on her readers with an ease that isn't often accomplished at any age. There are four parts to the collection and each part is better than the last. Just when you think her writing couldn't get anymore honest or captivating, it draws you back in and you quite frankly lose your breath. It reminds us why we read  and write poetry. It's a promise of what brilliance is to come. It's exactly the kind of poetry you'll feel connected to in an instant--be sure to keep tissues and tabs on hand, because there are so many standout moments in the collection that will require it.

Stuff I've Been Feeling Lately by Alicia Cook: Alicia Cook has a way to her words that leads us readers to her thoughts. Straightaway, what she writes is what we feel. It's so easy to connect with her and there's this sense of honesty to every word that is impossible to describe. Poetry is all about connecting us to a person's heart and soul and Stuff I've Been Feeling Lately is a total nod to this. You're embraced by this intimate look at her life. The good, the bad, the everything. I loved exploring every minute of it and finished it in one sitting because it's just so good.

I Am More Than a Daydream by Jennae Cecelia: Thought provoking, moving and highly intelligent--I am very thrilled to say that this is my first glimpse of anything penned be Jennae Cecelia. Although the collection is short, and the prose is simple, it leaves you feeling a great many things. All poetry comes from such an intimate place, it's beyond me to see it as anything short of a piece of our souls. Sometimes, the most powerful poems come from a short (but no less vibrant) place in our minds or hearts and I Am More Than a Daydream is an example of that.

Narrowing it down to nine was tough. Narrowing it down to nine while slightly-sick was worse. What are some of YOUR favourite poetry books?

P.S., fun drinking game: TAKE A DRINK EVERY TIME I SAY INTIMATE.