I’ve been a bit behind in my blog reading — with the move, and the typical April frenzy of grading — so I am only now catching up. I’m watching poets celebrating National Poetry Month in different ways — from urging people to buy more poetry books to writing a poem a day for the whole month of April. However, what has fascinated me the most is Dave Bonta’s site, where he is trying to read one book (or chapbook) a day and then do a mini-review of the collection he completed. Wow. Could I read a book a day? Yes. Would I be able to write a review — mini or otherwise — every day. No. Nope. No way. So, needless to say, I have great admiration for anyone who could do this… Dave has been putting a special emphasis on chapbooks from one of my favorite small presses, Seven Kitchens Press. However, he also included a review of These Happy Eyes (Mammoth Books) by Liz Rosenberg. This book brings about many great memories for me because I was actually working at Mammoth Books when this book was first published. There’s nothing like working at a small press to really give a young writer a picture of the writing/editing/publishing world.
Maybe someday, when National Poetry Month doesn’t fall in April (ha!), I could try reading a poetry book a day and writing one review per book, but for now, I will be happy with the four poetry books on my nightstand.
The Scrapper Poet 
Dave Bonta Said:
on April 25, 2010 at 12:50 pm
Hey, thanks for the plug! I’m still enjoying the challenge, though also looking forward to getting back to my lazier ways and working on my own stuff. The reading is more demanding than the writing, for me — even if it’s a book I’ve read before. It can be hard to stay focused for such a long stretch. But I hope to continue blogging poetry books on at least a weekly basis after the month is out.
Dave Bonta Said:
on April 25, 2010 at 12:54 pm
Also, neat to hear about your relationship with Mammoth Books! I am interested in picking up some of their other titles now. Next time I’m in State College I’ll have to see if any more are on the shelves at Webster’s Bookstore.
Karen Weyant Said:
on April 26, 2010 at 12:35 pm
Thanks Dave, for stopping by — As for Mammoth Books, I also suggest Phil Terman’s collections of poems published by Mammoth.