Comments on: poetry book club: genesis of the club

By: Jessica

Jessica — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 02:56:57 +0000

I agree, Deb, I never would have read as much poetry as we have if it hadn’t been for PBC. I love that I have an “assignment” each month and overall, I enjoy the books, even if I don’t love them all. I’ve enjoyed each book, except for Gluck’s Averno, which depressed me considerably.

I’m glad to hear that you’ll be participating Jillypoet with Harvey’s book. So far, it’s really good. The nice thing about an online book club, btw, is that we can’t necessarily move away. We can get busy or we can lurk though…

By: jillypoet

jillypoet — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 16:31:31 +0000

I ordered Harvey’s book and I’m waiting impatiently for it to arrive! I tried running a poetry book club at my art studio, once. Four of us came together and read Margaret Atwood’s Morning in the Burned House. It was fun, but I definitely think we were all a bit nervous about speaking “critically.” Then, alas, one of the group moved, one went off to grad school and one lost her husband.

Anyway, I am excited to participate!

By: ...deb

...deb — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 14:58:21 +0000

Me too, me too.

Well, actually I wasn’t keen on Lin’s book, but discussing it was fun. Understanding what it was that other folks liked about it and delving into why I didn’t like it really helped me get a better read on my own poetic sensibilities.

We’ve read some terrific work in the last months - some I probably wouldn’t have picked up on my own, quite a few I would have.

So far Natasha Tretheway’s latest book Native Guard(Pulitzer prize winning for a reason) and Frank Bidart’s Star Dust have been my favorites. Bodart will be at Tin House (a week of writing workshops in Portland, Oregon) the upcoming summer. I hope-hope-hope to figure out a way to work with him. Me and a few hundred or so, probably!

I don’t think I would have known I liked these poets so much if I hadn’t been “encouraged” to read them.

And I am quite sure reading a lot of poetry this last year has helped me write better poetry. It’s not that my stuff looks like theirs (not by a long shot!) but I think I have better legs under me - I can go greater distance, my poet-stanima has improved. I’m happier about my poetry, anyway

By: Jessica

Jessica — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 02:22:37 +0000

Aarrgh! The link should look like this.. Stupid HTML!

By: Jessica

Jessica — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 02:21:55 +0000

Thanks Christine! I’m glad you liked the experience.

Just to plug for next month, we’re reading Matthea Harvey’s

By: Christine

Christine — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 00:37:15 +0000

Jessica, I want to put in a plug for the book club. I never would have found Tao Lin’s book on my own, but now I’ve opened up to a whole new way of writing poems.

I thought it was interesting to read everyone’s reactions, especially since each was different.

The interview with Tao Lin did help put the book in perspective, and from there I went on to read other interviews he’s done on the web.

A great experience all around.

By: LARRY LAWRENCE

LARRY LAWRENCE — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 00:28:33 +0000

Found your blog today. I plan to visit again and participate. I like your writing prompt ideas. I thik it may make me write about topics that I may not have written on otherwise. Come visit my blog.

LLawrence
http://crownedwithlaurels.blogspot.com/