National Poetry Month (21/30): Potshot in 5-7-5

Potshot by Robert B. Parker

I loved all of these,
But this one had the whole gang.
When Parker died:  tears.

(Potshot is an homage to The Magnificent Seven, and brought back lots of familiar characters from previous installments in the Spenser series.  I read every one of Parker’s Spenser novels, and when I heard he had died (Parker, not Spenser), I really did cry. I had been reading the series since high school — almost 20 years — and the gang felt like family.  The series has been continued by other authors, but I haven’t read any of the 2-3 that have been published so far.  I’ll get around to it at some point, I’m sure.  But it won’t be the same.)

[Buy from Indiebound | Buy from Amazon]

(Participate in National Poetry Month! Add your own haiku in the comments, and I’ll post my favorite reader contributions in May!)

National Poetry Month (20/30): Absalom! Absalom! in 5-7-5

Absalom! Absalom! by William Faulkner

Mean Thomas Sutpen
“Contrived somehow to swagger
Even on a horse.”

(Personal note:  This is my favorite book of all time, and that line so perfectly describes Sutpen’s nature that I have never forgotten it (and, in fact, it pops into my head often, especially when I see Dick Cheney). It’s been a long time since I last read this book, so watch for a “real” review of it coming soon!)

[Buy from Indiebound | Buy from Amazon]

(Participate in National Poetry Month! Add your own haiku in the comments, and I’ll post my favorite reader contributions in May!)

National Poetry Month (19/30): Knock Knock in 5-7-5

Knock Knock by S. P. Miskowski

Spooky YA tale.
Authentically-written girls.
Loved the way they talked!

(The story is fun too, but the dialogue in this novel is incredibly sharp.  Is what I’m (badly) saying in silly haiku format here.  Great book for pre-teen girls and up.)

[Buy from Amazon]

(Participate in National Poetry Month! Add your own haiku in the comments, and I’ll post my favorite reader contributions in May!)

National Poetry Month (18/30): House of Leaves in 5-7-5

House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski

This is a strange book
About a house that changes
Size and has monsters.

Bonus haiku!

It’s written in an
Experimental format —
Gimmicky but fun.

(It’s also extremely entertaining, by the way.  As well as spooky as hell.)

[Buy from IndieBound | Buy from Amazon]

(Participate in National Poetry Month! Add your own haiku in the comments, and I’ll post my favorite reader contributions in May!)

National Poetry Month (17/30): March in 5-7-5

March by Geraldine Brooks

Civil War novel
About Little Women‘s dad:
Utterly brilliant.

[Buy from IndieBound | Buy from Amazon]

(Participate in National Poetry Month! Add your own haiku in the comments, and I’ll post my favorite reader contributions in May!)

National Poetry Month (16/30): Last Days of Summer in 5-7-5

Last Days of Summer by Steve Kluger

Young boy writes letter
To baseball player. Up next:
Sweet hilarity.

[Buy from IndieBound | Buy from Amazon]

(Participate in National Poetry Month! Add your own haiku in the comments, and I’ll post my favorite reader contributions in May!)

National Poetry Month (15/30): Shell Games in 5-7-5

Shell Games: Rogues, Smugglers, and the Hunt for Nature’s Bounty by Craig Welch

Geoduck smuggling,
Sure. But I still can’t believe
People smuggle MOSS.

(Please, come to my yard and take ALL YOU WANT!) (FREE!)

[Buy from IndieBound | Buy from Amazon]

(Participate in National Poetry Month! Add your own haiku in the comments, and I’ll post my favorite reader contributions in May!)

National Poetry Month (14/30): Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible […] in 5-7-5

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst
(one of my all-time favorite children’s books)

Alexander hates:
Train PJs, TV kissing,
And gum in his hair,

No cereal prize,
Plain sneakers, and soapy eyes.
He loves: Australia.

[Buy from IndieBound | Buy from Amazon]

(Participate in National Poetry Month! Add your own haiku in the comments, and I’ll post my favorite reader contributions in May!)

National Poetry Month (13/30): My Antonia in 5-7-5

My Antonia by Willa Cather

This book makes me think
Of trains. And of my great aunt
Who also loved it.

[Buy from IndieBound | Buy from Amazon]

(Participate in National Poetry Month! Add your own haiku in the comments, and I’ll post my favorite reader contributions in May!)

National Poetry Month (12/30): Kitchen Confidential in 5-7-5

Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain

I once loved swordfish,
Then I read this book and the
Part about the WORMS.

(GAH!)

[Buy from IndieBound | Buy from Amazon]

(Participate in National Poetry Month! Add your own haiku in the comments, and I’ll post my favorite reader contributions in May!)