How to Get into Poetry with Jen Campbell | on

[@charlottesreadsthings211]

I think Jen's point of poetry being primarily read for school is so valid. As someone who did a degree partly in English it was only ever the type of poetry that you would, as Jen says, study for exams. However I had one teacher at university who said that there is no right or wrong way to read poetry and we were all dumbfounded. It was through a friend who loves poetry that I discovered a KZbin channel called "button poetry" which features US slam poets and from that channel i found my favourite poet, Sarah Kay

[@helenasnopek5431]

This is one of the best videos on this topic that I've seen! I love the extend and variety of recommendations that you've give. The concept of "Answering Back" sounds brilliant, especially as I've often found it easier to get into and enjoy more "classic" poetry as to more modern writing. I definitely can't think of one favourite poet or poem of mine, but Gerard Manley Hopkins' "Spring and Fall" definitely has some nostalgic impact to me, as well as being one of the first poems I ever really read for my own interest. I also love Margaret Atwood's "Progressive Insanities of a Pioneer" (I think I've got the name right"

[@BookBreak]

Well thanks, I'm so glad to hear you say that. Jen really know what she is talking about and it was such a pleasure to film :). Answering Back is absolutely fabulous and has so many different goodies that I feel as though there is bound to be something for everyone. - Jean

[@jackarandose]

I bought the Forward Prize Book (2017) on Jen's recommendation from her own channel and loved it. I was never particularly interested in poetry before, and now my TBR is full of Poetry collections.

[@BookBreak]

That's wonderful to hear. It's such a great way to discover new poets isn't it? Makes you realise the diversity of selection there is :). - Jean

[@jenvcampbell]

This makes my heart happy xx

[@Sirdeln]

I recently read blue horses by mary oliver and absolutely loved it!

[@heavynov]

Wonderful video! 5 more books to read on my already massive list :D Somebody I have to recommend is J.R.R. Tolkien. Sadly his poetry is not well know but his "Homecoming of Beorhtnoth" and "The Fall of Arthur" are poetic masterpieces. Not just that he makes old-English assonance-driven verse sound absolutely gorgeous and natural in modern English, they have so much more to offer than just stories and beautiful language. I especially love the sheer depth and dimensions of HoB the treatment of certain motifs on and perspectives in FoA.

[@katiewildwitch]

'Questions for Ada' by Ijeoma Umebinyuo is a beautiful collection (very similar to Salt by Nayyirah Waheed) and 'Racing Hummingbirds' by Jeanann Verlee who is a spoken word poet. A favourite classic is anything by Thomas Hardy or 'La Belle Dame Sans Merci' by John Keats. I love Pablo Neruda as well, and I also love mystical poetry by Rumi, Hafiz and Rabia. Loved this video, I've added 4 new poetry books to my list!

[@ankitachawla5]

Happy Happy Birthday Jen! Wish you a bright and brilliant year ahead

[@jng66]

Thank you Jean it does work now! I did manage to get to the subscription page through your other link so I'm a happy camper now x

[@bookkeeping8283]

This video was SO helpful! I have really been wanting to get more into poetry, but am very intimidated/never know where to start so this was exactly what I needed. I literally took notes. Thanks guys! :)

[@BookBreak]

I am so glad to hear that! I really hope some of these suggestions help you find the poetry that is right for you - don't be intimidated ^_^ - Jean

[@nathaliakinsey8113]

Happy Birthday!

[@lyddie465]

I really love milk and honey by Rupi Kaur, salt. by Nayyirah Waheed and Teaching My Mother How to Give Birth by Warsan Shire and next on my list is Even This Page is White by Vivek Shraya, a Canadian trans person who talks about racism and sexuality and is lovely. I'm also really looking forward to bone. by Ysra Daley-Ward. c: I also love Kate Tempest.

[@BookBreak]

Thanks for sharing your recommendations ^_^ and I know I can trust them if you love Kate Tempest aha ;) - Jean

[@MercuryCalling]

Beauty/Beauty by Rebecca Perry is a great collection from Bloodaxe Books and I myself adore Divinity School by Alicia Jo Rabins. 😍 Thank you both for making this lovely video!!!

[@BookBreak]

Yay thanks for the recommendations! I am always in need of some more poetry :). And thank you, glad you enjoyed it! - Jean

[@jng66]

I found milk and honey by Rupi Kaur wonderfully accessible. Thank you Jean for reminding me about Jackie Kay. I've had Darling sitting on my bookshelf for many years but not yet really looked at it properly. As usual you two ladies deliver excellent advice on poetry and I can't wait to see more poetry videos. I'm not sure if anyone else is having difficulty opening the link to the handpicked poem but I'm getting a message from Bitly saying there is something wrong here....

[@BookBreak]

+Jane Sloan oh my gosh I'm sorry, if you try the link again it should work now and just let me know if it doesn't! The poems are always fantastic as well, I know Sophie puts a lot of effort into picking them every week :). I'm really glad you enjoyed the video! And I hope you enjoy Jackie Kay - Jean

[@becbec9301]

Great video. Have added a couple of these to my wish list. I find Wendy cope really accessible and maya angelou's poetry is wonderful and accessible

[@BookBreak]

I hope you enjoy them when you get a chance to pick them up :) - Jean

[@Winniennknk5150]

Hi guys, I recently read No matter the wreckage by Sarah Kay, my favourite poems were Mrs Ribiero, Dragons and Hiroshima. I am currently reading Crush by Richard Siken and loving it!

[@BookBreak]

Thanks for sharing your recs! I haven't tried any Sarah Kay ^_^ - Jean

[@Winniennknk5150]

Pan Macmillan hi! Yes it's great and of course recommended by the lovely Jen herself!

[@BookBreak]

If Jen recommends it, you gotta try it! ;)

[@Winniennknk5150]

I know, right? She's great at really inspiring you to read more poetry! Take care Jean!📚

[@jenvcampbell]

D'awww, you guys

[@dulcemoonchild]

bright star by keats, and ridiculously I love passion which was in one episode of Buffy the vampire slayer

[@BookBreak]

I am ashamed to say I have never read any Keats... will need to correct that :) - Jean

[@dulcemoonchild]

Pan Macmillan in that case watch the movie bright star, it's beautiful

[@narflet]

You mentioned, Jean, that your favourite poet is Benjamin Zephaniah and do you know where he's from? Birmingham! 😆

[@BookBreak]

Aha he is one of my favourites! A trip to Birmingham here I come ;) - Jean

[@thoughtsofapoet8925]

Poetry is amazing, Have you read Thoughts Of A Poet?

[@MySweetRemedy1]

Does my poem here appear to be more abstract or concrete? And can it pass for free verse? Haunted Lips red Soft like rose petals They speak words Yet no sound is heard A smile is given Lustrous and inviting Yet the curve of red is also a dangerous warning Eyes lock, time stops But the world continues as our lips connect A beautiful assortment of colours Like fireworks igniting up towards the surface of the dark sky A moan from your mouth causes an explosion amongst my skin It ripples like waves splashing into a calm lake once a stone had been thrown into it My body feels it as if that moan had physically reached into my soul It ignites a feeling I’ve never felt before Your hips meet mine The moment soars until I’m begging for more. A first kiss I’ll never forget. And then I wake up.