Sunday in Sequim

The town of Sequim, Washington, doesn’t get a lot of play on these pages (most Washingtonians know how to pronounce it; do you?), but just last week we introduced The Poetry Cafe, which is curated by Sequim poet and resident Risa Denenberg. Now Sequim is back, with a reading from of Empty Bowl’s Madrona Project #2, Keep a Green Bough, this Sunday, July 25, 2021, at 4:00pm, in the amphitheater outside the Dungeness River Audubon Center at Railroad Bridge Park.

You can hear Risa Denenberg, along with poets Tess Gallagher, Meredith Parker, Alice Derry, Carmen Germaine, Kathryn Hunt, Paula MacKay, K’Ehleyr McNulty, Mary Morgan, Kate Reavey and Charlotte Warren. The volume’s editor, Holly J. Hughes, will emcee.

Take a hike, do some picking in the Lavender Capital of North America, take in some poetry, have a meal: enjoy Sequim.

readers get ready

It’s almost August and that means it’s time once again for The Sealey Challenge. It started as a personal project in 2017 when poet Nicole Sealey decided to challenge herself to read a book of poems each day for the month of August.

“There is no prize waiting at the end; instead, participants are left with the knowledge of 31 fresh voices, a sense of belonging to a discovered community, and — hopefully — a newfound (or renewed) love of poetry.” Laura Buccieri, Lithub

There’s no charge to participate. Visit your favorite independent bookseller (or perhaps your own overstuffed shelf of un-read books) and select 31 books, chapbooks, or poetry zines. Read one each day. Share photos of your books tagged #TheSealeyChallenge on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

(And by the way, if you fall in love with what you’re reading, why not write a review on Goodreads or one of those other book sites?)

Are you up for the challenge?

today in Chimacum!

The Madrona Project, published twice a year for a total of seven issues, by Empty Bowl, features the best work by poets and writers who are “outsiders” — who write in and of this world: outside of self, outside the mainstream, or simply outdoors.

Today, Wednesday, July 14, 2021, at 6:00pm, at Finnriver Farm & Cidery in Chimacum, Washington, Empty Bowl will celebrate the publication of The Madrona Project, Volume II Number 1, Keep A Green Bough: Voices From The Heart Of Cascadia, edited By Holly J. Hughes.

For this issue, Hughes invited 64 women writers and artists from Alaska to Oregon to reflect on what it means to live and write in the Cascadian bioregion at the end of 2020, a year that challenged resilience on every level. Reaching out to national and regionally acclaimed poets and essayists as well as new and emerging writers, she brings together a diverse chorus, including Indigenous voices and those who work the land or sea. “The voices gathered here remind us that our lives in Cascadia are still interwoven with fir and cedar, salmon and kingfisher, heron and eagle, raven and crow — perhaps even more so as we face an uncertain future together, turning to the natural world for signs of resilience and hope.”

There will be a reception, followed by readings by ten authors, including Washington State Poet Laureate Rena Priest, who will read from her preface to the volume. Four artists will also be showing their work.

summer reading

Here are some additions to your summer reading list:

• Academy of American Poets – 2021 Summer Poetry Reading List
• Business Insider – 20 award-winning poetry books even people who are new to poetry will love
• Financial Times – Summer books of 2021: Poetry
• Orion – Poetry for Pride: Ten Essential Collections

Stay hydrated and don’t forget the sunscreen!

more books

A few more titles for your summer reading list:

• Lantern Review Blog – An Asian American Poetry Companion: Must-Read Titles for Summer 2021
• The New York Times – New & Noteworthy Poetry, From First Peoples to Posthumous Ashbery
• Penguin – The best poetry collections of 2021 so far
• School Library Journal – 13 Picture Book Journeys into Poetry | Summer Reading 2021

Turn on the fan and read!

interconnectedness

Each year, localities far and wide select a book for community members to read and discuss, accompanied by a variety of related events, including readings by the author. In Whatcom County, Washington, the program is called Whatcom READS and the book for 2022 is Greenwood by Michael Christie. (More about how the books are selected here.)

Among the related activities, writers of all ages and experience are invited to respond to a theme from the book and submit work to Whatcom WRITES. Poetry, fiction, and non-fiction are welcome, the submission deadline is Sunday, October 17, 2021, the theme is interconnectedness, and the guidelines are here.

Events will continue into 2022.

Pulitzer!

Congratulations to Natalie Diaz, whose book Postcolonial Love Poem (Graywolf Press) has earned her the 2021 Pulitzer Prize in Poetry for a distinguished volume of original verse by an American author.

See the complete list of 2021 Pulitzer Prizes.

more recommendations

The recommenders are recommending, and this list includes a few places we haven’t typically found suggestions for poetry books:

• Glamour – 17 best poetry books to add to your bookshelf pronto
• Good Housekeeping – The Best Poetry Books to Challenge and Inspire You
• The Guardian – The best recent poetry – review roundup
• The New York Times – New & Noteworthy Poetry, From Sign Language to Robot Saints
• Read Poetry – 6 Sensational June 2021 Poetry Releases
• Woman’s Day – 20 of the Best Poetry Books to Read in 2021

Have a wonderful summer of books!

more poetry books!

We wandered far and wide to gather this collection of recommendations. Happy reading!

• Boyds Mills & Kane – 16 Poetry Books for Children! National Poetry Month
• Brides – The 16 Best Poetry Books About Love for Your Wedding Ceremony and Beyond
• Electric Lit – 7 Queer Poetry Books I Wish I Could Give to My Teenage Self
• The Guardian – The best recent poetry – review roundup
• Hiplatina – 10 Poetry Books Out this Year by WOC
• The Millions – Must-Read Poetry: May 2021
• Orion – Twenty-One Recommended Poetry Collections for Orion Readers

Seattle Art Book Fair

The Seattle Art Book Fair presents Makeready 2021, a free virtual event taking place over three weekends to examine the stages of the book-making process. The sessions, May 14-15, May 21-22, and May 28-29, will feature over 35 artists, designers, printers, and publishers in a series of conversations, studio visits, and workshops that explore the process of making an art book from start to finish. Makeready speakers will share a wide variety of work — from personal zines to one-of-a-kind artists’ books; from trade art/literary books to contemporary art editions. Learn more and register.