Poetry – Page 148 – Cannonball Read 17

Life of a Poet: June 7, 1917 – December 3, 2000

A Song for Gwendolyn Brooks by Alice Faye Duncan

February 5, 2019 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

A Song for Gwendolyn Brooks by Alice Faye Duncan is probably my favorite read of 2019 so far. Not only do you get a woman of color presented, you get one who might not be familiar to everyone. She is a poet I knew about but not familiar with. And unlike say, Maya Angelou, there does not seem to be a lot out there about her and especially not for the younger crowd. Therefore, this is a pleasant addition to the biographies of both black […]

A better read with more knowledge of Russian/Soviet Culture

Portraits without Frames by Lev Ozerov

February 4, 2019 by Chris Leave a Comment

The free verse poems do seem to do what the title of the book suggests – draw a portrait of the various artists, authors, poets, dancers and so on without using paint. I would have enjoyed it more if I knew who more of the artists were. I also wish there had been a bit more historical notes – considering how many of those dealt with in the book were killed on Night of the Murdered Poets maybe explaining that event say. However, in […]

CBR11 #3 – Fat Girl Finishing School by Rachel Wiley

Fat Girl Finishing School by Rachel Wiley

January 25, 2019 by Siege Leave a Comment

In which Siege tracks down some older work by a new favorite poet, with mixed reviews. Important takeaway: Buy Rachel Wiley’s books so she can give up her day job to spend her time writing amazing poems and touring the country performing them for people.

recent research shows that communication/and thought are related, but in an odd way:

If I were a Suicide Bomber by Per Aage Brandt

January 19, 2019 by vel veeter 1 Comment

As you can see, I didn’t really like this one. I got it as part of a subscription to Open Letter press, a translation press run out of the University of Rochester that translates relatively little known authors from around the world into English and publishes good, hefty editions of them. It’s a good press and I have enjoyed a handful of the books I got through the subscription and realized after I got my first book that I actually had others from the press […]

CBR11 #2 – YES. THIS. ALL THIS.

Nothing Is Okay by Rachel Wiley

January 18, 2019 by Siege Leave a Comment

In which Siege has an early contender for her favorite book/poet of the year.

CBR11 #1 – Salt by Nayyirah Waheed

Salt by Nayyirah Waheed

January 16, 2019 by Siege 1 Comment

In which Siege returns, dipping her toes back into the waters of literary criticism with a small book of poetry.

Zirza on A Gothic Classic for a ReasonIt's one of those wish-you-could-read-it-again-for-the-first-time books. I loved it.
Emmalita on “It came to something when you found yourself hoping that the footsteps you heard were ghosts.”I loved the ending! I don’t think it’s been out long enough to talk about why though.
Dixie on Track Her Down by Melinda LeighI am just starting Track Her Down and I have read them all in order till now and thought I...
Roland of Gilead on How can you give us the gift of a crazy character named Rando Thoughtful and then just as suddenly take that gift away? We need to talk, Uncle Stevie.I came across this randomly years after it was written because I was searching "Random Thoughtful. But I have the...
Emmalita on “Only you, Em, would refer to heartbreak as a distraction. I think I would have a more sympathetic response if I asked to marry a bookcase.”Oh my goodness, Gallifrey was beautiful. I’m sure her mittens were gloriously murdery.

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