Around the World Reading Challenge: MALTA === Dun Karm is widely recognised as the Maltese national poet and is renowned for really paving the way for pAround the World Reading Challenge: MALTA === Dun Karm is widely recognised as the Maltese national poet and is renowned for really paving the way for poetry in the Maltese language. The context at the beginning of the book was interesting, though it gets more into the specifics of language that I was particularly interested in. The poems are presented in the original Maltese on one page and the English translation on the other. I thought they were beautifully written, but there's a strong religious theme--he was educated in a seminary, studied theology, and became an ordained priest--that just didn't fully resonate with me....more
Around the World Reading Challenge: NIGER === This is a directly transcribed & translated oral epic detailing the life and rule of Askia Mohammed & his Around the World Reading Challenge: NIGER === This is a directly transcribed & translated oral epic detailing the life and rule of Askia Mohammed & his descendants, the most famous leader in the history of the Songhay Empire. It was recorded over the course of two days from a performance by a griot, Nouhou Malio, in Niger. The concept was certainly interesting, and I appreciated the faithfulness to the original, though I don't really think that this oral traditional made for a successful written transcription. The notes needed to understand what was going on were numerous and made for a difficult reading experience, having to constantly pause and go back or forward to the intro & appendix for reference. The style just wasn't that interesting or captivating, though I can imagine it would feel very different when watching it performed as it was meant to be. I didn't really feel like I retained much of the information. ...more
Around the World Reading Challenge: TIBET === Another book of poetry that just really did not resonate for me at all. Sadly, too abstract for my tastes.
Around the World Reading Challenge: BAHAMAS === Wanted to love this one, but poetry is such a personal thing, and the style here just did not connect foAround the World Reading Challenge: BAHAMAS === Wanted to love this one, but poetry is such a personal thing, and the style here just did not connect for me at all. This was really abstract and I tend to prefer my poetry to be a bit more grounded. I really just didn't follow these at all....more
Around the World Reading Challenge: SERBIA === 4.5 rounded up
I never really feel like I know how to rate poetry collections, but I thought this was exceAround the World Reading Challenge: SERBIA === 4.5 rounded up
I never really feel like I know how to rate poetry collections, but I thought this was excellent, and I'd absolutely recommend!! ...more
Around the World Reading Challenge: BOSNIA and HERZEGOVINA === 4.5 rounded up
A collection of poetry and short stories/vignettes that were written/take pAround the World Reading Challenge: BOSNIA and HERZEGOVINA === 4.5 rounded up
A collection of poetry and short stories/vignettes that were written/take place during the Serbian nationalists' siege of Sarajevo. The concept and style here really worked beautifully for me, and the way the stories and poems built and played off of one another were just gorgeous. Really evocative and powerful collection....more
Really solid collection of essays and poems from Audre Lorde! It's not my most favorite compilation of essays, as it didn't necessarily feel as tightlReally solid collection of essays and poems from Audre Lorde! It's not my most favorite compilation of essays, as it didn't necessarily feel as tightly cohesive as some of her others I've read, but I do think that's sort of par for the course with a "Best Of" type approach such as this. It was actually my first time reading Lorde's poetry, and I enjoyed it overall, but I can't say it's my absolute favorite....more
Goodness, this was powerful. Poetic graphic novel speaking to the experiences of being Black in America during the COVID-19 pandemic and it really pacGoodness, this was powerful. Poetic graphic novel speaking to the experiences of being Black in America during the COVID-19 pandemic and it really packed a bunch. The way the poetry and imagery worked together was truly magical and I was absolutely blown away by how strongly this moved me. The use of breath and breathing here hits on such a nerve. Really glad I picked this up and would highly recommend!...more
Around the World Reading Challenge: GAMBIA === I very much prefer books of poetry to have some kind of cohesive theme, and I really did get that here. TAround the World Reading Challenge: GAMBIA === I very much prefer books of poetry to have some kind of cohesive theme, and I really did get that here. The writing was interesting, but it didn't particularly resonate with me. I do think that part of this is because I got an ebook and I think I've realized that, for poetry to really land with me, I need to have a physical book to read from. ...more
Around the World Reading Challenge: VANUATU === I struggled to find options for this country and was super excited when I found out my library was able Around the World Reading Challenge: VANUATU === I struggled to find options for this country and was super excited when I found out my library was able to get access to this volume of poetry, as it seemed right up my alley. Unfortunately, I just didn't totally love it. It's a very political volume, which I have zero issues with and actually quite appreciated for the nature of this challenge, but the structure of the poems felt a bit obvious and simplistic to me at times, which I think is solely down to my own preferences when it comes to poetry. I just don't think this one was quite for me, though I did appreciate the overall message being conveyed....more
I really enjoyed Grace Nichols's poetry and this was no exception! Her selection of poems from this book were some of my favorites in her poetry anoloI really enjoyed Grace Nichols's poetry and this was no exception! Her selection of poems from this book were some of my favorites in her poetry anology I Have Crossed an Ocean: Selected Poems which made me want to pick this one up! I very much enjoyed this one as well, but once again my favorites were in the first section of "The Fat Black Women's Poems" and I enjoyed, but slightly less so, the other sections....more
Around the World Reading Challenge: GUYANA === Really gorgeous anthology of poems compiled of selections from some of her previous poetry books. StunninAround the World Reading Challenge: GUYANA === Really gorgeous anthology of poems compiled of selections from some of her previous poetry books. Stunning lyricism and rhythm, with lines that really punched me in the gut. My favorites were definitely the selections from The Fat Black Woman's Poems....more
Around the World Reading Challenge: CHILE === Absolutely breathtaking! I spent six months studying abroad in Chile in Uni and actually visited one of NeAround the World Reading Challenge: CHILE === Absolutely breathtaking! I spent six months studying abroad in Chile in Uni and actually visited one of Neruda's houses and have a print of a verse from one of his poems (from this book!) in my home, but I've never actually read a full book of his poetry! I've read a ton of his individual poems, primarily in Spanish, but those were usually one-offs for class. I've always enjoyed his poetry when I've read it, but, not being a big ~poetry~ person in general, never got around to actually sitting with one of his works, and this was a surprising treat. I read this in an afternoon, reading each poem aloud, first in Spanish, then in English, and there were several times I got actual chills. So gorgeous and evocative....more
Meh. First time officially reading Poe, and I was underwhelmed. It was fine, but didn't really do it for me.Meh. First time officially reading Poe, and I was underwhelmed. It was fine, but didn't really do it for me....more
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