In case you couldn't come to our Brunch with a Bookseller featuring Stephanie and Young Eun and their favorite poetry for this time, we've compiled the list of recommendations for you! More of Stephanie's staff picks can be found here, more of Young Eun's staff picks can be found here, and you can check out our calendar of events here.
Danez Smith never fails to wow me, but this particular book of theirs has been my companion this month because of its moments of celebration. The poems present friendship as a tool for survival, and they are so clearly filled with loud and proud love. Also, I’m a huge fan of poets who aren’t afraid of exclamation points! Smith uses them with joyful abandon and I think we should all! Be allowed! To do that! —Stephanie
The poems in this book take on an exciting form; many of them are prose poems written as obituaries, lying as perfect rectangles on each page. With sharp awareness, Chang explores the intersection of grief, memory, love, and transformation. At a time when we are mourning many kinds of loss, this book is a way to connect with grief and acknowledge its many corners. —Stephanie
Sarah Kay is the sole poet who opened me up to the world of poetry. Back in high school, I performed one of her pieces for speech team and fell in love with her warm tone and her storytelling capabilities. Her book will always be special to me; I return to it when I want to feel like my wide-eyed self again, discovering something new and wonderful. —Stephanie
Mary Oliver is an expert in beauty; in seeing it, in speaking it, and in sharing it. Her poetry always comforts me and leaves me feeling a little hopeful. I think we could all use some extra spoonfuls of both of those feelings right now. —Stephanie