National Book Lovers Day was this week (Thursday, Aug. 9), and Escape into Life asked on Facebook what people were reading. The answers came back in wide variety, and mine was The Monk of Mokha, by Dave Eggers, plus a whole lot of poetry. I might write about The Monk of Mokha when I’ve finished it (suffice to say now that I’m enjoying it). For now, I want to give the poetry its due.

I don’t read poetry every day of my life, and sometimes I go fairly long periods without reading any. For the last few months, though, I’ve had it open regularly and often read myself to sleep with it. Here are books that have stood out:

• The Undressing by Li-Young Lee—This is a new volume by my favorite poet. Although it’s not yet my first pick among his books, that’s an awfully high bar, and there are wonderful poems in here. I’m only mid-way through, savoring it in small doses.
• Pole Dancing to Gospel Hymns by Andrea Gibson—Come on, you have to love at least the title! Seriously, I’d never heard of Andrea Gibson before picking this up; now, I’ll never stop reading her. She has one of the strongest, most compelling poetic voices I’ve ever read. Go get this book.
• No Matter the Wreckage by Sarah Kay—This debut collection by poet Sarah Kay is the book I’m keeping tucked in my bag right now for reading whenever I’m on the train or waiting for an appointment. It feels honest and powerful, and lovely.
• Celebrations by Maya Angelou—I’ve read this one before and don’t know exactly why I pulled to down off my shelf a couple of weeks ago, but am really glad I did. It contains just a dozen poems, but they make my heart sing.
• A People’s History of Chicago by Kevin Coval—My book club’s most recent selection, this collection made me think, and I like that. I know a good bit of Chicago history, but this taught me more, and showed me a new perspective on some events I thought I already knew well. Some of the poems will be a bit too “inside Chicago” for non-Chicagoans, but many or most will not. Coval gives voice to people whose stories aren’t often heard, and he’ll make you remember just who writes the history we learn in school.

If you have book or poetry suggestions for me, I’m all ears. Share in the comments, or tag me on social media.