how do you know which books to buy? where you be looking?

i lean into my friend's & fave writer's lists of "must-haves"

sometimes i look at the finalists' list. i reckon lists are amazing (shoutout to receiving the nom & award for your heart efforts) but rarely promises i'll be "fed" by its choices.

Here’s a list of what I bought (or begged for) this season... and a list for your gift giving ideas, jic

#ClaudiaRankine, you already know.

@bookswimming is lovely as is this book of poems

#RossGay — his whole bibliography is nuanced and generous. this is a book length poem & is bananas

Gifted to me by my heart @olivarespoet cause #WandaColeman #AmericanSonnets is a beautiful accompaniment for those reading her collected writings #WickedEnchantment

Not because I wrote the foreword, but because #AudreLorde is & the collection been. If you like beautifully bound books —

@sheer_awe is fine tuned in the language of our resilience

Couldn’t put it down! @KieseLaymon said #buythis & @DeeshaPhilyaw provided a clean wig snatch

While this is YA, the poetics are compelling and the story is such a gift @ibizoboi & @dr_yusefsalaam beam...

Don’t trip — I’ve got on shorts. And this book by @racheleliza_g will leave you winded

Same chair. Brilliant book of shorts (that read like tightly wound prose essays) @k_mingchang soars

A fave I return to. Book length poem by #MaryOliver

Ok...Deep breath. We’re just getting started. I decided to combat corona, I give you reasons to stay in side and be fortified.

Another round...
YA Novel in verse turned Graphic Novel brilliance. This jawn by @JasonReynolds83 just dropped.

#JuneJordan provides us legacy & triumph

This book by @jaquiradiaz made me hold my breath

I love love love this #prisonabolition comic featuring the teaching of @prisonculture

And this beautiful plant has since transitioned — but this book by @BecomHer is transcending.

Get into it #AkataWitch & @Nnedi whole series is a world of pure praise

Such a good choice by #Marissadavis @jaialaibooks

#LucilleClifton selections w/such a giving by Mara celisxgirmay

Might I add, YA does not reduce the amazing possibilities in language, I thought I should give note so when you look for these jawns, you know what arena you’re stepping into. That said. Speaking of YA — the genre slashing lyrical wonder #ElizabethAcevedo

A YA thriller jewel by @WriteinBK

A collection of glorious shorts by @LeesaCrossSmith

Another capsule collection by #SunRa as suggested by @marwahelal

Speaking of capsules — this poetic art archive will begin you again. By the unshakeable @TheRealKristaF

Another collection by lyrical wit-tichian & professor @authorKQ

Speaking of professors ( @SarahLawrence is lucky) for this writer #jeffreymcdaniel

Another professor educator and leader. If you had the life-changing experience of being taught by her, you already know. @cavecanempoets faculty great #NikkyFinney