The books Southern indie booksellers are recommending to readers everywhere!

Anthologies (multiple authors)

Poetry Says It Better by Ellen Burstyn

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Poetry Says It Better by Ellen Burstyn
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A very personal and at the same time universal poetry collection tied together by insights from Burstyn’s life. Short introductions and afterthoughts provide context and glimpses into Burstyn’s life. This will be a great book for reluctant poetry readers and old hands open to finding new meanings.

Poetry Says It Better by Ellen Burstyn, (List Price: $26.99, HarperOne, 9780063387683, April 2026)

Reviewed by Jan, Main Street Books in Davidson, North Carolina

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Poetry Is Not a Luxury by Anonymous

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Poetry Is Not a Luxury by Anonymous
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This is the kind of poetry collection you keep tucked in your pocket for when you need it–a poem a day keeps the dread about societal collapse away! Curated by the Instagram account of the same name (an Audre Lorde quote), Poetry Is Not a Luxury is a lovely, intentional anthology of poems divided by season, diverse in form and theme, featuring pretty much every poet I’ve ever studied and/or admired. These compact, comforting poems are accessible but substantial. I can see myself revisiting this book many times, when in need of a little inspiration!

Poetry Is Not a Luxury by Anonymous, (List Price: $24, Washington Square Press, 9781668062555, May 2025)

Reviewed by Julia Lewis, Fountain Bookstore in Richmond, Virginia

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The Path to Kindness by James Crews

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The Path to Kindness by James Crews
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While I love poetry, I will admit to being a beginning reader still finding my way and what I like in the genre. Some of my favorite contemporary poets (and pretty much all of the dead ones) are so depressing though. Beautiful and powerful, but depressing. The Path To Kindness was an unexpected discovery! This anthology explores the themes of connection and joy. Uplifting and accessible from diverse voices, I turn to it often and have given many copies to friends.

The Path to Kindness by James Crews, (List Price: 14.95, Storey Publishing, LLC, 9781635865332, April 2023)

Reviewed by Kelly Justice, Fountain Bookstore in Richmond, Virginia

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