Book Review: Poetry Is Not A Luxury: Poems For All Seasons by Anonymous-Poetry

Hello, dear Readers,

Below is my book review of Poetry Is Not A Luxury: Poems For All Seasons by Anonymous.

Title: Poetry Is Not A Luxury: Poems For All Seasons

Rating: 5/5 Stars

Genre: Poetry

Author: Anonymous

Publisher: Washington Square Press
Publication Date: May 06, 2025

Language: English

Hardcover: 176 Pages

Meet the Author: Anonymous

Buy Me: Amazon

Book Description

From the creator of the beloved @PoetryIsNotaLuxury Instagram account, a gorgeously wrought poetry anthology that is a gift and a guide for readers through every season of life.

Inspired by writer and philosopher Audre Lorde’s famous claim: “Poetry is not a luxury,” this anthology proves the vitality of poetry as a crucial source of inspiration, comfort, and delight.

In a first section, “Summer,” you’ll find lush landscapes and love poems for weddings and anniversaries, alongside poems on travel, protest, and expressions of sheer joy and exhilaration. “Autumn” ushers in nostalgic poems about home and family and friendship, fall leaves, nesting and gratitude. You may turn to “Winter” should you require a poem for mourning, some lyrics for loneliness, or an ode to comfort. Rounding out a year’s worth of verse is “Spring,” in which you’ll discover celebratory poems, in the form of praise for rain and flowers, new beginnings, and all that the future might hold.

Each poem within has been chosen from centuries of verse from around the world, with an emphasis on living poets. Friends old and new await, with selections from Rita Dove, Victoria Chang, Ross Gay, Naomi Shihab Nye, C.D. Wright, Eileen Myles, Ada Limón,Ross Gay, Ilya Kaminsky, Jos Charles, and more.

From love poems to elegies, from the heights of new love to the furrows of anxiety, from special occasions to a morning pick-me-up, there is something here for longtime poetry lovers and novices, in any season of need.

My Thoughts

Poetry Is Not A Luxury is one of the best poetry books I have ever read.

I love how the book is divided by the seasons of the year, and how each season is represent so well with each poem. 

There were poems that made cried, so deep and understanding of the feelings we all experience at some point in our lives. Other poems, though short ones but very powerful.

It makes my heart happy to have access to these type of books. I love poetry, reading it and writing it. Having a book like this as a reference, as an inspiration to my mind, heart and soul, fills me with hope, and makes me want to continue writing poetry and give my feelings and thoughts a voice. 

Thank you, Washington Square Press and NetGalley, for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. 

Wendy