As some of you may know, April is National Poetry Month in the United States.
Do you read poems or books of poetry regularly? I frankly can’t remember the last book of poetry I have read. I know, it’s very unfortunate and I should rectify this issue.
But for now, I’ll just attempt to create poetry out of book spines. As you will soon see, it is clear that I am not a poet, but I had fun perusing my bookshelves and moving books that had been sitting there for months, untouched and unseen.
I got the idea from Naomi over at Consumed By Ink. I thought it looked interesting and challenging so I tried it out for myself!
The task was daunting at first. I have a sizable home library with hundreds of book titles to choose from, so where was I supposed to start? It was very difficult to create poems that I was happy with but eventually I had to commit.
Below are my best attempts at creating poems that make any kind of sense. I will resist the urge to explain what they mean to me.
Understanding Inequality
Pride and Prejudice
Racism
Hard Times
The Thing Around Your Neck
Betrayal In Cold Blood
*Before The Awakening*
Good Omens
Sense and Sensibility
*The Awakening*
A Clockwork Orange
Calamity
*Brave New World*
Life is What Happens
No One Here Gets Out Alive
A Little Life
Tears and Laughter
The Comforts of Home
Going Rogue
Social Deviance
Rocking the Boat
Full Frontal Feminism
If you’re thinking about creating your own poems, see this post by Book Riot to read some that are actually good! I’d love to read what you can come up with, so please try it out this April.
Oh man. First of all, hats off for doing this. I’m very dense about poetry myself, so you won’t find me browsing the poetry section of the bookstore anytime soon (unless it’s a highly recommended book of poetry, and even then it’s a maybe). My favorite from these is number 3, A Little Life.
Thanks! I was hesitant to post these because they’re hilariously bad lol. But it’s all in good fun.
And yes, A Little Life is my favorite as well. 🙂
Yeah… I’d be awful at this. But I’ll try it when I get home from work!
Yes! It’s fun and the poems you create may reveal a few things about you. What do mine say about me? Hah!
… that you have lots of social theory books?
… that you have lots of social theory books? And that you own Sarah Palin? (I thought about overlooking that, but I still think I’m going to ridicule you a bit, lmao)
I knew someone would give me grief over this!
In my defense, my home library is comprised of the book collections of the 5 people who currently live in the house we all rent. So some of the books I used aren’t mine. :}
Ooh this is so cool. I don’t think I’d be creative enough to do this myself, but I absolutely love the idea. I think my favourites are the first and third ones! I also love the “Life is What Happens / No One Here Gets Out Alive” lines from the second one!
This is such a good idea!
These are great! And, it really is fun to have a look through all your books that usually get ignored on a day to day basis. I think the third one is my favourite, but I really like the last line of the second one.
It’s also a fun way to get to see other people’s books. 🙂
Totally agree. I was thinking of doing these this month for since it’s National Poetry month, but have been pretty occupied with reading. We’re midway through so I guess I still have time.
There’s still time!
Yeah, some were getting a little dusty. Hah
Thanks for the idea! Ill try again next year when I have even more books.
I used to do these on my You Tube channel and still do sometimes. I like #2. It’s the best one. You should keep doing these. 🙂
#2 is the one I was most hesitant to post. So thanks 🙂
Oh! Can you provide a link to your YouTube channel? I’d love to check out your videos.
I like no. 1 best! And I think you’re a better poet than you think you are… 🙂
Hah, you are too kind!
I agree!
This is totally awesome!! I love what you came up with!!! I wasn’t aware it was poetry month- probs cos I don’t live in the States- but this is cool- we should have this over here cos it’s been a while since I really got into reading poetry- I used to read it all the time but went off it a while ago
Yeah, poetry isn’t very popular around the blogosphere. It’s such a shame really. I have no legitimate reason for why I don’t read it more! :/
Well I think for me, I have a bit of a complicated relationship with poetry. I used to love it when I was at school, but it wasn’t taught well at uni so I lost interest. It is a shame though!
I LOVE this! My favourite is Number 2, but it was hard to choose. What a great idea.
Thanks! I’m surprised all 3 poems have been claimed as a “favorite.” You are all too nice. 🙂
Brilliant!!!
wooo this is amazing and you must have fun while doing this !! :O So original hahah 😀 LOVE LOVE IT – Trang
I love ALL of these! I seriously should read more poetry because the little poetry I do read I love. I am definitely giving this book spine poetry a try!
Yes, please do it! It’s such a blast. I can’t wait for you poems. 😀
Book Spine Poetry is SO hard, ahah, I tried once and well, it took me hours to find books. I’m a perfectionnist so maybe that’s why? Anyway, I LOVE these, great job! 🙂
Thank you. 🙂
They didn’t really turn out the way I wanted, but I eventually had to settle with what I came up with and hit publish.
I would love to see what kinds of poems a perfectionist would come up with. But it might be very time consuming finding the perfect titles..
Oh yes, it is time consuming… But I definitely want to try again, sometimes. I’ll let you know when I do 😀