The Bookish Mindset

2023 may already feel like an age away but I want to look back on what I loved last year and share my favourites with you.

Poetry is a genre I sometimes feel isn’t always one people will pick up but I think it’s probably more accessible than you think. Here are six of my favourite collections from last year that I definitely recommend you pick up.

When in the Wilderness & Stretch Marks – Rio Merrix. I may be ever so slightly biased since I know Rio in person but I absolutely adore these works. Merrix has such a beautiful and delicate way with words and it was an honour to be there at her book launch too. She’s self published and you can find her work on Amazon (we don’t support Amazon in any other way, but we support self-published authors).

Manorism – Yomi Sode. A stunning collection on manhood and what it means to be Black and British. A must read

Peluda – Melissa Lozada-Olivia. The poetry collection that really got me into poetry. Search for ‘These Bitches’ and you’ll be hooked too. This poem I come back to again and again and there’s some other great ones in here too. Feminist and punchy, I love it.

Teeth in the Back of my Neck – Monika Radojevic. From one feminist piece to another, I adored this collection. I was lucky enough to watch Radojevic perform some of these live at Merky Book Fest and I was transported. Another must read.

There is (Still) Love Here – Dean Atta. If you love his fiction then you’ll love this poetry too. Atta wrote this during the pandemic and so there is a lot of love and grief featured. A beautiful collection.

I’d love to know which of these you’ve enjoyed or what you choose from the list, leave a comment below!

Buy all these and more through my Bookshop.org storefront here.

Last updated 10/03/2024