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Alone Together by Jennifer Haupt

The Pandemic on Paper

Writings about the COVID-19 pandemic and how we live now

Many of us have turned to artistic endeavors throughout the pandemic to fill some free time, writers included.

Book cover Map collected and last poems

Contemporary Central European Literature

Writing from the Lands Between

Central European writers created some of the most distinctive prose and poetry of the 20th century. Kafka, Sienkowicz, Kundera, Andrić, Musil and others masterfully employed irony, gallows humor, and the anti-heroic “view from below” in their examinations of modern bureaucracy, ill-treatment by historical forces, and the weight of memory. This list provides suggestions for readings from their 21st-century literary heirs (loosely conceived) – writers born in a mutilated world that demands both praise and lament.

Poems of Rumi

Poetry with Soul (eBooks & Audiobooks)

It's National Poetry Month!! So, I decided to gather a list of poetry-inspired books in celebration of one of my favorite genres! Poetry has the ability to transcend reality, evoke thoughts pertaining to age-old questions, and to provide a sense of comfort. As we all know, the world is presently responding to the harsh realities of COVID-19,  leaving communities quarantined. As we redefine our daily routines, here's a list of poetry-inspired books to assist with reflection, dreaming, grounding, etc.

Poetry Reading

#DCPoetryClub on Twitter for National Poetry Month

April is National Poetry Month, we will meet on Twitter on Tuesday afternoons at 2 p.m. to share and discuss our favorite poems. Tweet a link to a favorite published poem, not written by you, and include #DCPoetryClub and @dcpl. Be ready to read and comment on the other poems shared.

Image of Like Water for Chocolate book cover

DC Reads: Adult Title Read-a-likes

More to savor after "With the Fire on High"

This year’s DC Reads book, With the Fire on High by Elizabeth Acevedo, follows high schooler and teen mom Emoni Santiago through senior year, as she balances school, work, Babygirl -- and figuring out her future.

book cover

African American Poetry for Children

The triumphs and tragedies of the African American experience are discussed in these illustrated poetry collections. Studies show that reading and writing poetry helps children develop vocabulary, phonetic awareness and an ability to talk constructively about their feelings. Please see the Library's Black Studies database collection to find additional information about African American history.

Twenty Love Poems and a Song of Despair

Shall I Compare Thee to a Summer's Day?

Forget the Hallmark Card! Send some of these sweet words to your loved one instead this Valentine’s Day.

Ah, Valentine's Day. Love it or hate it, soon every store on your block is going to be covered in a regurgitation of red hearts, lace and little cupids. But if you really want to impress your lover or your crush this Valentine's Day, memorize one of these bad boys and find a balcony somewhere. It seemed to work for these prolific love poets (some of whom had lovers on every continent). 

Mobius Strip Club of Grief

Gross Verse

The new world of 'horror' poetry

"And so being young and dipped in folly I fell in love with melancholy."  (Edgar Allan Poe)

Cover for Citizen Illegal

Poetry on the Immigrant Experience

Poetry has a way of saying things unlike any other medium. So few words and yet they strike straight to the heart. This is even more true when they address larger issues like borders, immigration and the experience of being “illegal”. Check out these poetry books for insight into the lives of immigrants.   Citizen Illegal by Jose Olivarez

The Twins' Blanket by Hyewon Yum

Twins For the Win

Children's Books About Twins

Sometimes we get promoted at work, and sometimes we get promoted in life.  For a long time, I wanted to become promoted to Auntie Liz, so you can imagine my joy when my brother and his wife told me they were expecting.  A few weeks later, the phone call came that it was twins.

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