The National Book Critics Circle announced the winners for their annual awards in fiction, nonfiction, autobiography, biography, criticism and poetry. Here's the list.
Category: Poetry
Risky poetry purchases
I like to read poetry, but getting to know poets by purchasing their new collections takes a toll on the wallet. Here's why.
The unforgettables: 2009
All Sides Weekend on WOSU 820 AM NPR News last Friday included a discussion about unforgettable books read in 2009. Here's my complete list.
This thanks-giving holiday, thank you
Some thanks, some poetry, some good wishes and more in this Thanksgiving message originally posted in 2009.
2009 National Book Award Winners
Awards were announced late Wednesday night. Colum McCann won for fiction. Here are all the winners.
The NBA finalists & my disappointment
The National Book Award finalists have been announced. Here's the list, plus a link to the award site.
Preview: new poetry
Marie Ponsot's "Easy" got a starred review in Publisher's Weekly. I don't know her poetry, but from what I'm reading, I want to change that.
Up next: the National Book Awards
The U.K. announced the winner of its prestigious Man Booker Prize. Now it's time in the U.S. for the National Book Award.
Come on back to the typewriter
An impulsive mid-day trip to a bookstore on the other side of town connected me to unexpected treasures of Anne Sexton's poetry. Here's what I bought, and why I thought of Kathleen Norris's "Acedia & Me."
A first: Britain’s new female Laureate
Carol Ann Duffy was named Poet Laureate of Britain today, according to the New York Times. She's the first female Poet Laureate to be named to this esteemed U.K. position held for centuries by men. The Independent reports Duffy was considered 10 years ago but passed over for concern that "Middle England" may not be … Continue reading A first: Britain’s new female Laureate
I miss letters
On October 8, 1946, legendary singer/songwriter Woody Guthrie wrote an eight-page letter to Charlotte Strauss. The two had been corresponding since 1945, after Strauss read Guthrie's autobiography Bound for Glory and wrote him a fan letter. That eight-page letter went up for auction on January 15, 2009 at Freeman's, as part of the Manuscript Archive of … Continue reading I miss letters
W. S. Merwin wins Pulitzer
Pulitzer Prize winners for Letters, Drama and Music 2009 announced today are listed here in the New York Times. Among them is W. S. Merwin for his extraordinary collection of poetry The Shadow of Sirius. One of my favorites in the collection, etching unforgettable images/sounds, "An Empty Lot" about the "long dusty patch/ of high ragweed" … Continue reading W. S. Merwin wins Pulitzer
Breathing the most fascinating and admirable characteristics of race
Paul Lawrence Dunbar come to mind? Not as well known yet writing during the same time period, Elliott Blaine Henderson hit my radar when a book dealer handed me one of his collections, Humble Folks, published in 1909. I had no idea who Henderson was but fell in love with his photo in the book and also in … Continue reading Breathing the most fascinating and admirable characteristics of race
Siriusly
W. S. Merwin’s The Shadow of Sirius was sitting on the passenger seat along with several other books I felt compelled to carry with me on my Saturday errands – I couldn’t decide what to read next, hence all my choices traveled with me for potential ‘sneak read’ moments. Reading in the grocery parking lot, I … Continue reading Siriusly
The Longest Chapter 