J.S.'s 2022 Reading list - maybe

[J.S.]

If you look back (and no, you don't have to) I usually begin my reading list for each year with several carryovers from the previous year, or a poetry related book that I'm in the middle of reading, or a list of poetry books that I've acquired for Christmas.

This year, the book that I am currently reading is a novel, with no poetic tie-ins, I have no carryovers from last year that I can remember (though I had probably best go back and check that out for certain) and no one bought me any poetry for Christmas (sobs quietly). Today, 2nd January 2022, I have no poetry books with which to begin my list. This is an unexpected and not totally welcome first. I do, however intend to read poetry this year and I will add titles to my list as and when and hopefully soon.

[J.S.]

Jade wrote: "Yes, never any hurry when it comes to poetry :)!
Happy New Year." Happy New Year to you too!

[J.S.]

The list of books read and reviewed begins:

1. Edge of the Orison: In the Traces of John Clares Journey Out Of Essex by Iain Sinclair - READ
2. Spectral by Fay Roberts - READ
3. Bold Heart by John Gohorry and others - READ
4. What if Stars by Beth Hartley - READ
5. Country of Arrival by Hubert Moore - READ
6. Across a Sheet of Paper by Christine McNeill - READ
7. The Silence by John Greening - next up
8. A Dedication to Drowning - READ

[J.S.]

So, progress this year is slow, but in recent months I've managed to grow my list a little, both in terms of books read and also those to be read. There is progress.

[J.S.]

An observation: books 1-4 above all relate to poets living and writing in, or very close to, the East of England. Books 2-4 are all by contemporary poets known personally to me. I am now pondering if I should endeavour to select any future reads for this year from poets with connections to the East of England? Its a possible plan.

[J.S.]

The author of book 5 (see above) isn't really an East of England poet. He lives in Kent, which is South East (different to the East of England as far as us Brits are concerned) but he did apparently grow up in Biggleswade in South Bedfordshire, a twenty minute drive from my East of England location. I therefore feel I'm almost maintaining an East of England focus.

[J.S.]

I've just finished reading Country of Arrival by Hubert Moore, a poet previously unknown to me. It's an excellent collection. I will review it here in due course, but first I need to review it for The High Window, a UK online literary zine. Once that is done, I'll be free to review it here.

[J.S.]

I've just finished Across a Sheet of Paper - a selection of German poems translated by Christine McNeill. It's an interesting anthology. I will review it here in due course, but first I need to review it for The High Window, a UK online literary zine. Once that is done, I'll be free to review it here. Sadly, that means I may not be able to post anything here about the book until early 2023.

[J.S.]

I've just posted/ am about to post reviews for Country of Arrival and Across a Sheet of Paper

[J.S.]

I've just read A Dedication to Drowning. Sadly the review can't be posted until 2023 as I'm writing a full review for the High Window and that will need to come out first. Review spoiler, though: I've given the pamphlet four starts, so you can tell I enjoyed it.