7 Best Poetry Books
7 Best Poetry Books of All Time
Discover the best poetry books, from classics to modern masterpieces.
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Poetry in motion
Paul Engle noted that “poetry is ordinary language raised to the nth power.” Poetry books have the power to capture feelings that are often elusive and put into words our deepest pain and strongest outrage. But the real superpower of poetry lies in giving expression to our love, happiness and passion.
The best poems explore all aspects of life: love and heartbreak, unity and injustice, gender and race. And in this year of missed connections, isolation, and division, poetry has been a glimmering ray of hope and joy. When a then relatively unknown Amanda Gorman took the stage at President Biden’s inauguration to recite “The Hill We Climb,” she made history as the youngest inaugural poet. More than that, she inspired generations of Americans to “envision a way in which our country can still come together and can still heal” without glossing over the hard truths the country needs to face.
Whether you are new to the art form or are a budding poet looking for some inspiration, we’ve found the best poetry books and collections for you. While some of these are classics, others are collections from award-winning poets. You’ll find books by female authors and poets from different races and ethnicities. You’ll also find some poetry books, old and new, that are flying off Amazon’s shelves this year. And once you’re done reading these, we also have a selection of the best books of all time and most underrated books for you to get started on. We hope you’ll find one that suits your taste and reminds you of the better times to come.
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And Still I Rise by Maya Angelou
From one of the most respected and celebrated poets in the world, this book is a collection of 32 short poems, divided into three sections. Originally published in 1978, the book speaks of everything from love, longing, dreams, and Saturday night partying to the sounds of the South. Home to inspirational poems like “Phenomenal Woman,” this book encourages readers to rise above their difficulties and challenges, irrespective of their race or gender. Stock your shelves with these other great books by Black authors.
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Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman
The sole book by the “poet of America,” this collection of poems was first published in 1855. Walt Whitman treated it as an evolving manuscript, editing it, adding new poems, and republishing it multiple times. In this collection, Whitman writes passionately about natural beauty and of love and relationships that defy the bounds of time. In his poems about love and nature, Whitman contemplates his existence and purpose in life and pushes the reader to do the same (think of it like a self-help book with poems). If you didn’t read Walt Whitman in school, this collection is a great place to start.
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The Essential Rumi by Rumi and translated by Coleman Barks
A Sufi master born in 1207, Rumi’s mystical verses have enchanted, enlightened, and inspired people of all religions for centuries. This expanded edition was published in 2004 and features even more of Rumi’s poems about love, loss, silence, separation, emptiness, union, and more. The poetry on these pages proves Rumi wasn’t just a mystic; he was a doctor for the soul. Get more book recommendations with this list of ideal books for your zodiac sign.
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Set Me on Fire: A Poem for Every Feeling, edited by Ella Risbridger
If you are tired of all the famous poems from dead white men, this delightful anthology, published in 2019, is a refreshing take. Full of new perspectives and voices from around the world, it covers everything from grief, rage, trauma, and loss to happiness and love. Poetry books are ideal for rereading, and this is one you can always go back to. For more of the feels—well, one of them in particular—browse this list of books that will make you cry.
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The Sun and Her Flowers by Rupi Kaur
Rupi Kaur is Instagram-famous for her poetry, but the short verses she shares on social media don’t do justice to her ability to access some of the most powerful human emotions. In her poetry books, simple words pack a stronger punch than some of the most refined writing. Her 2017 collection, The Sun and Her Flowers, shifts from the love poems found in Milk and Honey to a commentary on the implications of immigration and racial issues. If you’re a fan of feminist books, you’ll want to pick up one of Kaur’s.
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Citizen: An American Lyric by Claudia Rankine
While many question whether Claudia Rankine’s 2014 poetry book can actually be classified as poetry, a reading of Citizen will prove that it does not matter. Part poem, part critical essay, it’s an honest portrayal of the racism that exists in day-to-day encounters in society. We recommend reading it alongside Americanah, an international fiction book by Chimamanda Ngozi Adiche’s.
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Pillow Thoughts by Courtney Peppernell
No list of poetry books is complete without poems about love and heartache. Courtney Peppernell’s 2017 book is an intimate collection of poems that read quite like the pillow talk shared between lovers. The book’s chapters are divided so readers can find solace in whatever step of a relationship they are in.
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