Comments on:

By: Joannie

Joannie — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 20:24:00 +0000

I used to keep a novel and one or two books of poetry going at a time, and then I decided to switch to all poetry (except about a half-dozen books a year for my book club). Poetry works especially well if you're waiting for the bus.

But I don't read particularly quickly, and it's often just three or four poems at a time (if I read more, I know that I'm just sort of skating through them--enjoyable, but I'm probably missing even more than usual). And I, too, struggle with the dynamics of exercise, cooking dinner, and driving kids around. I just hope that I'm learning something, even if it's small.

P.S. I like your idea of looking for or at other elements of a poetry book when you aren't so taken with the poems themselves.

By: Anne

Anne — Sat, 20 Oct 2007 00:17:00 +0000

I don’t like reading poetry (don’t get as much out of it) when I’m tired and bleary, or when I’m rushed. By the time I get home from work, watch a little news, make a phone call or two, catch up on blogs and email, eat dinner, and run an errand or do a couple of chores, I’m generally not in a frame of mind where I’m much good for reading poetry. I usually read one or maybe two poetry books on the weekend. Very occasionally I’ll feel like sitting down at my desk to read for a bit on a weeknight.

I used to get 30-45 minutes for reading on my lunch hour (sometimes poetry), but then I realized I was getting practically no physical activity, so now my lunch hour is spent reading the morning paper (maybe 10 minutes) and walking briskly for a half-hour or so. I figure it gives me less reading time in the short term, but maybe I’ll live longer, which means more years to read. 🙂

By: Jilly

Jilly — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 16:09:00 +0000

I'm the dreaded "flit around in a book of poetry first, and not read it in the carefully chosen order" reader.

Then I'll go through and read it from the beginning.

I haven't gotten my book yet, should I be concerned?

By: Karen J. Weyant

Karen J. Weyant — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 16:25:00 +0000

I’m usually reading a book of fiction or nonfiction at the same time I’m reading a book of poetry. I, too, read novels faster than poetry. I try to read a new book of poetry every week, but sometimes I get bogged down with student papers, especially around finals season!

By: jeannine

jeannine — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 14:57:00 +0000

That’s a good thing, a sign you enjoy poetry, not dread it…
and probably better for retention than my down-it-like-a-bag-of-cheetos method…

By: Radish King

Radish King — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 14:27:00 +0000

I am a fast reader. I can read an 800 page novel in two days easy. I am a slow reader of poetry. I savor poetry. I think good poetry needs to be savored. Like good wine.