Reading Poetry: Where to Start

[@BasicallyBrittx]

omg! I just asked a few people if they know a few good poetry collections for someone who doesn't read a lot of poetry (me!!) and now you upload this. Thanks! Your hungry ghost festival was actually the very first poetry collection I've ever read. Loved it!

[@jenvcampbell]

+Britt Reads Thank you x

[@johnmanole4779]

@@jenvcampbell English is my second language and I find it so hard to enjoy poems in English. I read some poems by Edgar some I liked some not so much. I find it annoying how English a 100 years ago seems so damn alien 👽 😒 to today's English.

[@NursenaTtr]

Oh, the poem you read by Caitlyn Siehl was so beautiful. I got goosebumps all over my arms. Also, thank you for yet another helpful and inspiring video.

[@anywitchway3866]

I love Caitlyn Siehl's 'What We Buried,' it's so good!!

[@welldonebooks]

thanks, Jen! this is super helpful. i've read a fair share of poetry, but mostly when i was in school. lately i've been wanting to read more though, and this will be a great starting place :)

[@jenvcampbell]

+WellDoneBooks :D Looking forward to seeing which ones you pick up xx

[@andrewjames6676]

Thanks Jen! Been reading poetry for 60 years, my poetry shelf is 20 feet long, but I still came away from your chat with a list of books to buy. I need poetry books like my car needs petrol.

[@xixeoxeno]

this could not have come at a more perfect time! only less than 24 hours ago i was watching your other videos on poetry. you read my mind! great video, as always

[@jenvcampbell]

+xixeoxeno Happy to help! x

[@albertpringle3397]

WHERE WAS I ? i went to look out my window the other day i looked at the sun but had nothing to say so i took a walk down the road and there in a house under the sun i heard a voice belong- ing to another one i tried to find some- thing to say but by the time the words found their way out i wrote this poem and forgot what i was talking about 11-23-95

[@ДмитрийКончаков-п5ы]

It's similar to the song of Guns'n'roses Sweet child o' mine where at the end lyrics were literally "Where do we go now?"

[@arizonajen7577]

This is wonderful! Poetry always intimidates and, in a way, frustrates me. I appreciate your thoughts, hopefully it will be the jumping off point for me.

[@indubitablyzara]

So many wonderful recommendations! I'm not new to poetry, but I feel I haven't read very widely as far as poetry is concerned, so I'm excited to get my hands on some of these, especially Grief is the Thing with Feathers and Some Planet. :)

[@oliviaturner3345]

Although they are a bit old now, the Def Poetry Jam videos on the 'Tube are amazing. I recommend Daniel Beaty, Rives and Saul Williams. Sarah Kay features too, with her poem 'Hands'. Enjoy!

[@ExhilarationDeLuxe]

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your poetry-related videos! Please keep on recommending books from your collection, along with new releases, etc. AMAZING! I put soon many to my wishlist and am excited to get lost in the words... Thank you!

[@rosiereadsbooks6223]

This video was so super helpful! I am really interested in reading poetry but it's something I have barely explored. Watching this has definitely inspired me to get my hands on some poetry, possibly starting with one of the 'Best British Poetry' collections. The explanations at the back of the book sound like exactly what I need :)

[@tanyabrayer]

Thank you so much for filling this video to the brim with suggestions, Jen. I especially appreciate you reminding me of the brilliant Sarah Kay. I re-watched her "If I Should Have A Daughter..." Ted Talk immediately after this video and plan on losing myself down the Rabbit Hole of her work as soon as I have a spare moment.

[@Frumious]

I absolutely love poetry and am really trying to get in to reading more poetry books. Grief is the Thing with Feathers sounds like a really good book to read honestly and I may have to pick it up. Great video!

[@jenvcampbell]

+Frumious Should have said in the video - 'Grief' is part essay-part-poetry-part-novella :)

[@Frumious]

+Jen Campbell thanks for clarifying! I'm still really excited for it, I can't wait to pick it up :)

[@andrewlabit]

Honestly, I've been reading and writing for some time now, but this is easily the BEST video I've seen as an introduction on the subject! 🤗

[@jenvcampbell]

Thanks, Andrew ☺️ this video is a few years old now but there are more recent poetry videos on my channel, too, if that’s of interest x

[@hollylove3597]

Nice recommendations, I will check them out... I found this quote in a book that all poets can relate to... "From the wounded soul, comes poetry and music. In return, music and poetry heals the soul." The title of the book is: "Midnight Writings by a Distant Mind Lost in Time." I ordered it on amazon, it was a great read.

[@rosemannering]

This video was so good! I like poetry, but often I feel like I'm stumbling around in the dark so its amazing to have it laid out like that and with recommendations :). I need to read more poetry and now I feel all inspired :D

[@mehjabeenhajwane9464]

Really helpful, thanks! I've always wanted to explore poetry but never been sure where to start. I really liked the Sarah Kay poem you read. x

[@22ileana]

Thank you so much for this video! I’m trying to read poetry for the first time and this made me feel much more comfortable about it x

[@mosreads9535]

This was great! I love poetry but have read mostly classics and have been wanting to get into more recently written works. I will definitely be checking a few of these out.

[@ManikaTheStrangerWhoReads]

I've been reading quite a lof of poetry this year and loving it. I've just received Grief is the Thing with Feathers (thanks once again as I won it on your giveaway) and I've just read "Boys" on page 3 and it hit me. That's why I prefer contemporary collection ; I can connect with it or feel and experience a lot reange of different emotion whilst with classic stuff I can see/sense the beauty but it does not touch me, that's shame really. That's what I look out for poetry collection it either hits me or it's just nice and this one has. So I'm really excited to read Grief is the Thing with Feathers again and again. Thanks Jen xx!

[@jenvcampbell]

+Manika Lost in Books You're very welcome! x

[@deanmuscat2681]

Thanks for these great recommendations! Looking forward to exploring a few of these further. While I do not read much poetry, one collection which I love, and have found to be an enjoyable read, is Carol Ann Duffy's The World's Wife, which is a collection of poems that retell many famous myths and stories from the point of view of the wife. Two of my favourites are Mrs Midas and Mrs Lazarus, both are beautifully told and rather poignant.

[@jenvcampbell]

+Dean Muscat Yes - The World's Wife is my favourite Duffy :) x

[@deanmuscat2681]

+Jen Campbell Yeah, I need to pick up a few more of her collections. I saw the National Theatre's Everyman this year, which she wrote the script for. Amazing! Looking forward to reading your 100 poem collection too. I know they are online, but am waiting for the pamphlet to arrive to enjoy them in physical format. Keep up the great work!

[@johnpowys5755]

To anyone who is new to Emily Dickinson's work, I'd highly recommend the critic Helen Vendler's selection with commentary. The "Complete Poems " is formidable by any standards, but Vendler's guidance helped me tune in to Emily's voice and so begin to appreciate this great poet.

[@Chrisralonso]

OH MY GOD I LOVE CAITLYN SIEHL! I'm so happy to see her mentioned on Booktube. And Tracy K. Smith, too! And Anne Carson! All the baes. Some one commented on a video of mine that you pointed them to my poetry video, so thank you for that!

[@jenvcampbell]

+Christopher R. Alonso "all the baes" haha, and you're welcome :) x

[@tinaprivitera6669]

Your excitement is contagious. You look the type to absolutely ravage a corner ma and pa bookshop. I do have a question. Thank you for all the specific contemporary poetry recommendations, but I noticed on your shelf John Berryman, Sylvia Plath, and you mentioned both Ted Hughes and Emily Dickinson directly (the confessionals), so I was wondering what other classic poets do you recommend?? People like Frank O’Hara, T.S. Eliot, Ezra Pound, Robert Creeley, Hart Crane, Elizabeth Bishop, Seamus Heaney, and so on and so forth. You know what, disregard that first question. (Not really. Please name a few touchstones of 20th century poetry for me. People who, if they were film directors, they would be Hitchcock, Kubrick, Lynch, Ozu, you know. The essentials.) Actually, I posed the wrong question: Are there any poets from that era (Very fluid definition of era here, I’m thinking Whitman-Bukowski in terms of time, limiting the calendar to just before today’s voices.) that you feel are either underrated or unfairly overlooked by history? Any cult poets? Genre doesn’t matter so much. Much love.

[@StephanieDRendezvousWithaBook]

I've always liked Elizabeth Barrett Browning and Elizabeth Bishop :) I have really wanted to check out more poets and poetry though and I just haven't gotten there yet. I think that will be a major goal for 2016 for me

[@anothergreatetcetera]

I'm literally about to film the 25 Bookish Facts video where I wanted to say that I hardly ever read poetry but really wanted to get into it. Your timing is scary/the best!

[@shelovesbooks8421]

I love poetry videos! Anne Carson is one of my faves! Life on Mars is one of my fave poetry books. I also really love Sarah Kay.

[@eleni8475]

As an English law graduate, I'm no stranger to poetry and my favourites have always been Sylvia Plath and Christina Rossetti but this video has made me want to delve back into poetry again and discover new poets! I tend to be obsessed with analysing poetry and looking into subtext but the daughter poem you read here reminds me that sometimes just enjoying the language and the emotions a poem evokes upon its first reading is also part of the fun. I must get to Ted Hughes' 'the crow'! I think music is also a great way to get people into poetry. There's a fine line between good lyrics and poetry. I recently bought a book of Nick Cave's lyrics and find that he is more than a songwriter, he's a gifted poet in my opinion too. Thanks for the video! (P.s. I also bought one of your hand written 100 poems postcards and can't wait to see which one I receive!). E. xx

[@jenvcampbell]

+Eleni M Thanks Eleni! They're all been posted to it should be with you soon :) x

[@CharlesHeathcote]

I found that going to poetry events and open mics helped me find the poetry I like. Poets and writers alike are often exceptionally good at handing out recommendations.

[@springonion8124]

I'm definitely going to check out What We Buried :)

[@littledevonnook]

Your voice is so captivating Jen! I love listening to you read :) definitely going to check out No Matter the Wreckage and What We Buried - thanks for the recommendations! x

[@jenvcampbell]

+shoutame Hope you like them! x

[@faisalahmed-oo6jr]

thank you so much ... this was very helpful

[@echoland2774]

This was perfect thanks :D I really want to get into poetry but although my English is quite good, reading poetry is the hardest in a foreign language for me, that`s why I`ve only ever read german poetry and also few... Just yesterday I got a copy of Ted Hughe's Crow though, because you've been talking about it a lot lately and got me really intrigued!!

[@jenvcampbell]

+MyLifeBetweenPages I hope you like it! x

[@echoland2774]

I'll let you know! :)

[@alfogel3298]

Here’s a good example of a creative poem from simply observing a dove or doves supposedly the birds of peace but the hunters could care less because to them they were just a dinner meal. These are probably the thoughts that ended up in the following poem by my favorite poet, who also painted as evidenced by his original paintings he did in his limited edition poetry books. Here’s the poem: PEACE I thought the dove was the bird of peace but here they were shooting them out of the brush and climbing up the sides of mountains and banging them down; and everywhere the doves went there were the hunters blasting and beaming and blasting, and one man who didn't in the slightest resemble a dove was shot in the shoulder; and there were many complaints that the doves were smaller and scarcer than last year, but the way they fell through the air when you stung the life out of them was the same; and I was there too but I couldn't shoot anything with a paintbrush; and a couple of them came over to my canvas and stood and stood and stood until I finally said, for God's sake go look at Picasso and Rembrandt, go look at Klee and Gauguin, listen to a symphony by Mahler, and if you get anything out of that come back and stare at my canvas! what the hell's wrong with him? the one guy said. he's nuts. they're all nuts, the other guy said. anyhow, I got my 10 doves. me too, his buddy said, let's go home: we can have them in the pan by 2:30. -Charles Bukowski

[@azmerysultana6288]

Thank you for sharing this. What a beautiful poem..

[@carolaustin6374]

Bukowski is wonderful, isn't he!

[@booksandpieces]

LOVE the sound of Fair Copy. Also anything with Kay Nielsen things on the front needs to be read.

[@jenvcampbell]

+books and pieces Absolutely! :D x

[@nutshellreadsandwrites]

I love Sarah Kay! Thanks for these recommendations I really love spoken word poetry but really want to try reading poetry in text

[@paigetremblay7380]

Informative and great as always! Thank you and God bless!!

[@optimistickida12]

My favorite poet is Mary Oliver. She uses a lot of nature imagery and her poetry is beautiful and optimistic. My favorite books by her are American Primitive and Dream Work. I also love The Wild Iris by Louise Gluck - about love and flowers. The City in Which I Love You by Li-Young Lee is another favorite. Li-Young Lee in general writes a lot about love and his family history, especially about his father. Good Woman by Lucille Clifton is another amazing poetry book! I love her poetry because she writes very simply but there is so much to any one of her poems. She wrote about motherhood, being an African American woman, growing up in the inner city, and her family history. Other poetry books I love are Incarnadine by Mary Szybist, Here by Wislawa Szymborska, and Metaphysical Dog by Frank Bidart. Thanks for the recommendations; I will definitely check those out!

[@chboskyy]

This was great Jen, thanks for making this! I added No Matter the Wreckage by Sarah Kay to my wishlist because that excerpt sounded excellent 😊

[@SableCaught]

So many Faber (on your shelves at the beginning), all the poetry books are published by Faber! I did a series of videos on poetry last year when I got sent a small collection by a guy called Daniel Sluman. I really, really liked it and was planning to read more poetry from that point onwards! ...and apart from a handful of Yates I, ashamedly, really haven't. Your video has inspired me though, I'm gonna go seek out Caitlyn Siehl. I especially loved the poem of hers you read out.

[@jenvcampbell]

Did a quick book count: 38 out of 300+ published by Faber. I think the spines are just very recognisable :)

[@SableCaught]

+Jen Campbell Yeah, I guess it's just confirmation bias. and the fact that I spent a good deal of yeaterday working with them so they were already on my mind.

[@FidaIslaih]

I need to check them all out!

[@jasminlatifa5516]

Hello :) , I would want to ask you tips on how to undersrand the classical poems and poet's style, I'm not and english native speaker but I do write poems in english and when it comes to reading the classics I feel overwhelmed, though my style in poetry is good and I have been encouraged by lot of native speakers in reviews :). thank you and God bless

[@hannahlamb3051]

Lovely video Jen! Very helpful and inspiring. :)

[@josephinewinter]

i'm more of a learn a few you like at the library, then from their books learn which are good publishers, check out that publisher's stuff (carcanet, bloodaxe i always check out, for instance: in a bookshop, their spine catches my eye)

[@karinamariapiotrowska5505]

The first person who doesn't have rupi kapur in her thumbnail. I love you already.

[@eugeniaalva9932]

Thank you very much!!! I´m an English teacher, teaching teenagers in Spain (basic to intermediate level), in a multicultural environment, I would love them to read some poetry, please, if you have a moment, what poets or books of poetry would you recommend for these students. Thank you very much again!

[@ProfessorBear]

Deliciously informative!

[@jhula007]

Thank you for introducing Sarah Kay to me. THANK YOU.

[@teaspoones]

Thank you so much for this video! I added quite some collections to my to buy list! Do you have some more recommendations for other feminist poetry? Thank you! (I'm going to watch your other videos now and maybe you have mentioned some there already :) Sorry I'm just so excited to read more poetry!)

[@jenvcampbell]

The World's Wife by Carol Ann Duffy, Pelican by Emily O'Neill and Furies (an anthology of feminist poetry) are all excellent :) x

[@teaspoones]

+Jen Campbell Thank you so so much!

[@nonono6537]

amazing video!! very helpful, thank you x

[@ZMWise]

Haha you remind me of myself so much, what with the unbridled love of poetry and your collection! I might need to take out a wall with mine. :O

[@oana-mariauliu5828]

I don't normally read poetry for pleasure, but I have studied poetry and I've even tried my hand at writing poetry. Lots of people say it's quite good, but I don't think that's what I'd like to be remembered for. My favourite poets are Federico García Lorca, George Bacovia, and possibly E. A. Poe. When it comes to style.

[@ayala3261]

Thank you for this ! I think I'll probably start with some poetry journals.

[@jenvcampbell]

+A Deer In The Woods Excellent choice :) x

[@Malakalima]

Love your videos so much! Are there any novels that you think are actually good segues into poetry? Just curious. I know for me, I always thought poetry was a little too inaccessible until I started reading novels that were more slightly more challenging.

[@jenvcampbell]

Grief is the Thing with feathers (mentioned in this video) is a novella, so I'd give that a go :) and take a look at some of the poetry presses linked in the description - as some of those publish experimental novellas etc too, especially Caketrain x

[@AmandaQuotidianBooks]

Thanks very much for this, Ms Campbell! I've just bought 7 collections from Words Dance Publishing and hoping to find some lovely feminist works in the bunch!

[@jenvcampbell]

+Amanda Center (IntrovertX) Enjoy! x

[@jenvcampbell]

+Amanda Center (IntrovertX) Would also very very very much recommend Pelican by Emily O'Neill (though it sounds like you've got enough to be going on with!) x

[@AmandaQuotidianBooks]

Jen Campbell One can never have too much poetry!!

[@elin3742]

I appreciate you! :) Have a good day.

[@ClaireQuigleyQuip]

Thanks for the video, I must admit I'm a bit intimidated by poetry! But I recently bought a collection of John Burnside's work and I love it - his language is so atmospheric, so I definitely want to pick up more!

[@jenvcampbell]

+Claire Quigley (ClaireQuip Reads) Glad you've been enjoying it :) x

[@seonarella]

Hiya Jen, I am obsessed with poetry. I write it, I read it, I live it! Anyway.... this was great, never heard of Rebecca Hazelton so will check her out. Are you a Cate Marvin fan? I have recently got into her (probably been living under a rock) and thought you would appreciate the poem An Etiquette for Eyes. I love it. Anyway, I really enjoy your poetry videys. Hope all is fine and dandy :)

[@josephinerose3761]

Super helpful. Thanks for this.

[@jenvcampbell]

You're most welcome.

[@ryandonagan2628]

How do you make a video about where to start with poetry and not mention anything in the Canon?

[@mycharliequinn]

I get all my poetry collections direct from the poets at poetry slams when they tour. live poetry gigs are awesome. do you ever attend any?

[@jenvcampbell]

+My Charlie Quinn I used to attend them (and perform at them) more than I do now; when I first moved down to London five years ago I had fun going around the spoken word scene :)

[@mycharliequinn]

yay, a friend of mine just moved to london to study. I'm sure he'll find any poetry scene that exists up there.

[@SmileBrighter]

Loved this! I have recently gotten into poetry through Rupi Kaur's Milk and Honey. I highly recommend it -- just make sure you have tissues handy. :)

[@jenvcampbell]

+smileaimee I didn't gel with that but agree it's a good starting point for some to get in to poetry (alongside things such as Chasers of the Light) x

[@SmileBrighter]

That's fair. :) It's definitely inspired me to read more poetry!

[@SunriseFireberry]

What do you think of first poetry collections being those of populist poets as R. Service or semi-populist like R. Frost? If I liked TS Eliot's prose or drama, or Milton's prose, I'm not sure if trying their poetry would be the next step for the newbie poet reader. Happily these 2 are exceptions. (-:

[@jenvcampbell]

+TimeAndChance I tend to read poetry that's being published now - I have read a lot of Eliot, Donne, Marvell, Milton etc etc but I much prefer contemporary free verse.

[@poesho]

Great vid! There's a good online poetry journal here in Australia which is FREE (but still a reputable publisher of established poets and talented emergent writers). Check out Cordite Poetry Review.

[@mom2triplets04]

I'm going to get a poetry journal from book outlet. I have read ellen hopkins and really like her written in verse type books. Thanks.

[@worldpoetry3161]

Poetry for the hearts of the world

[@ericdouglas5731]

I recently published a collection of poems on Amazon. It's an eclectic collection. The title is: A Look In The Mirror, reflections in poetry. I would love to hear your opinion on the collection. Hopefully, they are the kind you'll find interesting.

[@jenvcampbell]

Hi Eric, you can find my review policy here: www.jen-campbell.co.uk/contact all best wishes, Jen x

[@bobbyrainsbury230]

Awesome video thanks I write poetry myself type in Bobby Rainsbury poetry into KZbin and do you like William Wordsworth?

[@Jake-kn3xg]

Should have listed 1 or 2 books that cover rhyme, metre and verse form. It would make a more enjoyable experience reading poetry knowing how it works. For anyone into that Stephen Fry's book on poetry would be a good example, quite informal and depending on how much QI you've watched you might read it hearing his voice.

[@jenvcampbell]

+Caffa Jake I make a lot of videos on poetry discussing a wide variety of books, including a whole series on how to dissect poetry.

[@rehanmir4560]

Libraries are perfect location for free poetry literature

[@believeme6707]

Here are some more recommendations. From the heart 2 by Kuo kenih

[@WhoaThereMama]

Jen, do you have any recommendations for what journals, magazines, etc. an unpublished poet might submit to? I know that's a broad question, but I don't really know what's out there that's both reasonably reputable and attainable, or how I might go about finding out

[@jenvcampbell]

Best way to find out is by reading the magazines :) sorry that's a broad answer but you've got to figure out which ones suit your style so I can't really do that for you. If you go to www.jen-Campbell.co.uk/poetry there are quite a few journals there but you can find out many more through research. It's a long process and one every poet goes through. :)

[@connie4561]

Hi Jen, would you say poetry is like songs without melody?

[@jenvcampbell]

I'd say that's more true for non-free verse poetry.

[@AnnaMaledonPictureBookAuthor]

I've heard an opinion that songs have to be more immediate and simpler. With a poem you can sit and re-read and try to figure out the meaning and having text in front of you helps.

[@eleni8475]

Sorry - typo in my message. I meant as an English literature graduate! :-) (I've since studied law too, hence the mistake!).

[@xoxmsyedxox]

Where can I get the forward prize books in the states?

[@jenvcampbell]

+Muneeba Syed You can get some past issues on the book depository - the US equivalent is the Pushcart Prize www.pushcartprize.com/index.html I'd also recommend Best American Poetry books.simonandschuster.com/The-Best-American-Poetry-2015/David-Lehman/9781476708195

[@craigdunn3231]

Nice collection I want to get in to poney

[@mlledottie1781]

Hi jen, I have been following you for a while now and love your videos and your work. I really want to start reading poetry. The only problem I have is that I am german. And although I read most books in English if they were originally written in English, I am a bit intimidated to read English poetry. Could you recommend a poetry collection, which isn't too hard to understand languagewise?

[@jenvcampbell]

The Caitlyn Seihl in the video (What We Buried) would be a good one to get.

[@Jrobertopv08]

I did not understand all of your tips, but I thank each of them.My mind is being provoked * _ *

[@leafyconcern]

What poetry have you been reading lately in 2020?

[@jenvcampbell]

Take a look at my most recent videos, I’ve spoken about that there.

[@THEcreeptacular]

the blogspot link is dead :/

[@jenvcampbell]

Ah, yes, sorry - my blog no longer exists.

[@Rachel-zq4ib]

ahhh i love sarah kay

[@subhajitroy7706]

Gravity pulls everything to its core except those heavy weighted stones- Blocking the roads of my blood flow, Centre of the heart- beyond a desert- Carved numerous massive rude holes. -Subhajit Roy

[@georgesteyne8143]

I need books between 1880-1910

[@Umacademyy]

Can I get to read any of these books for free ?

[@kapustaa]

Hi, I'm sorry to comment a bit off topic, but recently I've been wondering which polish author I could recommend to you, based on what you love to read. And I know that you have probably hundreds of books to read anyway, but I think that you would love Olga Tokarczuk. She has won a Nike Prize in Poland this year (which is probably like a Booker Prize but for polish lit.), however she has been praised by many for a few years. Thanks for all of your videos, I've found so many amazing authors thanks to you! www.bookdepository.com/Primeval-Other-Times-Olga-Tokarczuk/9788086264356

[@jenvcampbell]

+kapustaa Thank you for the recommendation :) x