Welcome, poets! I’m Jack Varnell—your creative guide for you today. I make no claims to being an academic or expert, nor do I always do what I suggest . in any event, Let’s talk about an underrated skill: how to actually read poetry .
Can Being Humble Make You Smarter? How to Actually Read Poetry .
Many poets from Billy Collins to Patti Smith have said the only way to become a better poet is to read more poetry.
I agree.
But it is informative to go beyond just enjoying poems—a not so secret weapon is to read like a writer. Study a book’s craft and style. Listen to its voice.
Read with intention. Notice the uses of form, pacing, and even the empty spaces on the page.
Ask yourself: what can I learn about form, voice, and structure?
When picking up a poetry book, I don’t just read the summary and move on. I always notice the publisher—indie presses have their own vibes.
Smaller yet powerful presses offering fine examples of this include Punk Hostage Press, Poetry Bus from the UK, and Collapse Press. Dig deeper than Amazon or Goodreads recomendations.
A review of the authors and guests of Social Yet Distanced will also reveal a selection of similar minded presses, poets, and artists. See the world through their eyes. We are not talking Penguin, Simon OR Schuster.
When you scan the book, I suggest you note for layout, spacing, and typography. Is the design inviting? is your cortec tingled? Does the flow , flow?
Do the poems stretch across pages or play with white space?
Are there forms or visual twists that grab your attention?
Blurbs are helpful, but don’t let them decide for you. They’re one person’s opinion—trust your own taste.
Look for excerpted poems - (broadsides) - or sample pieces online. Look for poem releases in print or web based outlets, and follow your favorite poets, artists, writers as well as the piblishers you gravitate to.
These excerpts, book releases and podcast appearances usually highlight the book’s energy.
When browsing for something new, my go to tactic is to read the first poem, the last poem, and then sample something from the middle.
It helps me get the book’s rhythm
and see if it fits what I’m searching for.
Honestly for me, it's as much the vibe as anything else, but I tend to come at things in a less than academic fashion....
Covers tell their own story—colors, imagery, symbolism. I love finding hints of what’s inside just from design.
How do you decide which books to bring home from the bookstore?
I’d love to hear your approach in the comments.
Let’s all keep reading like writers and learn together.
Don’t forget to like, comment, subscribe, and join my Social Yet Distanced for more craft tips and over one hundred examples.
Until next time—keep those pages turning and the ideas flowing with poems springing forth !!!
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