Book club tips and inspiration

7 Fun Ideas to Bring Poetry Into Your Book Club

Updated: Mar 29, 2024

Blog

Author

Carrie Thornbrugh

" Poetry is not a luxury, it is a vital necessity of our existence. It forms the quality of the light within which we predicate our hopes and dreams toward survival and change, first made into language, then into idea, then into more tangible action. Poetry is the way we help give name to the nameless so it can be thought. The farthest horizons of our hopes and fears are cobbled by our poems, carved from the rock experiences of our daily lives.” —Audre Lorde

 

 

 

April is National Poetry Month in the United States, a time for celebrating the art of poetry and its power to capture the human experience in all its complexity. It is a time to honor the poets who have come before us and those who continue to inspire us with their words. Poetry has been a powerful medium of expression for centuries, and it continues to captivate readers around the world. 

One of the most exciting aspects of National Poetry Month is the opportunity it provides for people to engage with poetry in new and meaningful ways, inviting people to explore the power of language and the art of expression as well as push the boundaries of what is possible with language and form.

There are many ways to participate in National Poetry Month, whether you are a seasoned poet or simply a lover of language. Read on for contemporary poetry recommendations, poetry resources, and creative ways to incorporate poetry into your book club.

 

1. Select a poetry collection for your April book club meeting

Have each club member select one poem from one of the recommended poetry books below to share during your next meeting. You can discuss how the poet addresses specific themes or topics through their poetry, and how different poems make each member feel. It will be interesting to see how the discussion unfolds if two members select the same poem to share! 

 

2. Show-and tell your favorite poem

Invite each club member to attend your next meeting with a favorite poem to share from any book of poetry. Have each member read their poem aloud and share why they chose it. Was it a poem they remember from their youth or did they discover it as an adult? What memories do they associate with the poem?

 

3. Have the poem select the reader!

Sign up for Poem-A-Day from Poets.org to have a poem by a contemporary poet emailed to you each day in April. Alternatively, you can visit the online repository of John Giorno’s Dial-A-Poem project from the 1960s and ‘70s. Schedule a book club meeting to discuss the poems that caused each member of your group to pause and reflect. What does each poem convey about the place and time in which it was written?

 

4. Write a poem with your book club

Even if you’ve never written poetry before, National Poetry Month is the perfect time to try this fun, new activity with your book club. Don’t worry about making it perfect – just let your words flow and see where they take you. You can even create a shared poem with your book club with each member writing their own line for a collaborative poem! The heady Surrealists called this game, Exquisite Corpse.

 

5. Attend a poetry reading with your book club

Many poets and writers give readings and book signings during National Poetry Month, so check your local events calendar to see what’s happening in your area, and consider attending a poetry reading this month instead of your usual book club meeting.

 

6. Share your favorite poems on social media

Follow one of our fave Instagram accounts, Poetry is a Not a Luxury, which shares poems and excerpts daily. Use the hashtag #NationalPoetryMonth to connect with others who are celebrating poetry this month. Don't forget to tag Bookclubs and we’ll share your post!

 

7. Join a poetry book club or writing group

There’s no better way to improve your writing than by learning from others who share your passion for language and expression. Better yet, join the Writers Rock book club or check out the newly formed Poetry Chat club and the Profound Experience of Poetry Book Club which meets online every second Sunday to discuss poetry.

 

 

Recommended Poetry Reading:

Poetry is an ever-evolving art form, with new voices and perspectives emerging every year. Below is a list of some of the best new poetry books that have been published in recent years. Whether you are a long-time fan of poetry or a newcomer to the art form, these books are sure to inspire and challenge you. Consider selecting one of recommended poetry books below for your April book club meeting and don't forget to add them to your 'Books I Want to Read' shelf and recommend them to your clubs. If you don’t have a Bookclubs account yet, it’s easy and free to get started. Join our growing community of passionate book club readers and leaders here!

 


 

We hope these tips encourage you to embrace the power of poetry and its ability to connect us to one another and to the world around us. As the poet Rumi once said, “Poetry is the art of uniting pleasure with truth.” Let’s unite in our love of language and celebrate the beauty and power of poetry this April. 

 

The 2024 poster features artwork by award-winning children’s author and illustrator Jack Wong, with lines from “blessing the boats” by beloved poet Lucille Clifton.

 

 

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