by the Read Write Poem Staff
Welcome to Off the Shelf, another one of our occasional columns here at Read Write Poem. In this column, we’ll share the latest five books Read Write Poem members have read or are currently reading.
For this installment, we’ve asked Niina Pollari to share her latest reads, along with a brief comment on each collection. Here’s what she had to say. (And to be fair, we posed this question to her more than a month ago, so who knows what she’s actually reading now!)
Have you read any of the collections or authors on Niina’s list? If so, share, share, share in the comments. If not, Niina says, “Seek them out if you haven’t. They’re totally worth it.”
Rising, by Farrah Field
The only book I’ve repurchased twice for two separate friends. This book gets called “Southern” because it has a very heavy sense of place, though I think the word “Southern” as a descriptive doesn’t get at the book’s crux. Really, neither can I in a couple short sentences. But it’s full-blooded, emotional and really beautifully written.
Stranger, by Laura Sims
Poems both terse and raw. They’re rather like blurry close-ups of the most beautiful kind.
Poemland, by Chelsey Minnis
Minnis is the kind of writer who makes me laugh and feel uncomfortable at the same time. Let me just quote the book to explain: “It’s like drinking a bottle of champagne in a roadside bathroom.”
Hallelujah Blackout, by Alex Lemon
Lemon’s second book. In this book, he abandons the crystal-sharp, cool distance that inhabited the poems of his first book, Mosquito, and proceeds to shake around a little.
A Plate of Chicken, by Matthew Rohrer
A kind of philosophy of the everyday, acutely aware of its own domesticity. Also worth noting that the book is really enjoyable to hold; Ugly Duckling Presse makes these gorgeous letterpress projects, and Rohrer’s book, complete with illustrations, is no exception. It’s proof that print will never die — book fetishists like us won’t let it.
If you want to share your latest five reads, send an email with your titles and comments for each book to info (at) readwritepoem (dot) org.
Thanks Nina, Im looking forward to trying to source your selection, the covers alone are enticing. I always find myself running my fingers down a cover before a peek becomes a purchase.
Now I want to read all of these — especially the Rohrer book.
I finally figured out that I could click on the cover image of each book for more info and sample poems. Poemland didn’t open for my computer, though.
Dana Guthrie Martin replied:
September 21st, 2009 at 9:45 am
Hmm. That link works for me — the issue could have been on Wave Books’ end. Try it now.
I should make each title a link, too, but then it will look all ugly. I’ll figure out a way to make it obvious those images are linked, without mucking up the design.
Hi Nathan – what is it about the rohrer that has tugged your interest ? The mix of philosophy and tactile is a great tease, is this something that Letterpress projects are known for ? (Excuse my ignorance, I am not familiar with this publisher).
Nathan replied:
September 21st, 2009 at 11:56 am
Oh, I’m not familiar with this publisher either. I’ve read some of Rohrer’s work and really like it. Plus, the book looks beautiful.
niina replied:
September 22nd, 2009 at 7:43 am
The book is very beautiful, as is their other work.
I couldn’t find a sample poem on the link for Rohrer, which is always too bad.
Love that Gerhard Richter photo on the cover of Sims’ book! That’s almost enough to make me buy that one (not being able to afford the artwork).
I have the Farrah Field book, which I bought on the recommendation of a friend. I understand her appeal, but it wasn’t my cup of meat.
Anyway, this is such a cool new feature. RWP is the greatest. smile
niina replied:
September 22nd, 2009 at 7:06 pm
That photo makes sense in the book, too. I won’t spoil it too much but it does.
In case anyone is interested, here is an interview at BOMB with Matthew Rohrer for A Plate of Chicken:
http://bombsite.powweb.com/?p=3784
Nathan replied:
September 22nd, 2009 at 6:47 am
I’m interested, thanks Dana.
niina replied:
September 22nd, 2009 at 7:42 am
ooh, I hadn’t read that yet. Thanks.