In a year of incredible uncertainty, one of the few things that brought peace was the reading and writing of poetry. I released my first book of poems, The Year that Stole the Light Away, completed the manuscript for its follow-up (coming soon), and read everything I could get my hands on.
I decided to compile a list of my 10 favorite reads of 2020 as I believe they would be greatly enjoyed by anyone who appreciates the craft. I’ll provide the cover art with links to purchase. I won’t try and explain these collections, as I don’t believe in such things. They stand on their own, ready for you to discover what makes each uniquely powerful. Please note, not all of these were released in 2020 and they appear in no particular order! Enjoy!
Lean Against This Late Hour – Garous Abdolmalekian
For the Love of Endings – Ben Purkert
Expulsion – Emily Perkovich
Homie – Danez Smith
Fallen Star Rising – Tara Caribou
Be With – Forrest Gander
Night Sky With Exit Wounds – Ocean Vuong
Martyrs of a Certain Belief – Anthony Desmond
The Branch Will Not Break – James Wright
How Beautiful the Beloved – Gregory Orr
Brandon White 