Poetry Books I’m Reading This October: Inspiration for Writers & Creatives
- Kaecey McCormick
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
October always feels like a turning point in my reading life. The days grow shorter, the evenings quieter, and I find myself reaching for books that both comfort and challenge me.
For me, poetry is one of the best ways to stay connected to creativity. Poems can spark new ideas, shift perspective, and remind us why words matter.
This month, I’ve chosen poetry books for inspiration that do exactly that: they invite me to think differently, laugh unexpectedly, and linger in images that won’t let me go.
Here are three poetry books I’m reading this month:
(1) A resonant voice: No Other Kind of World by Jeff Hardin
Winner of the 2016 X. J. Kennedy Poetry Prize, Jeff Hardin’s No Other Kind of World is a collection I’ve read before and find myself returning to again and again.
Jeff is both a mentor and a friend, and his poems embody the kind of bravery and creativity I aspire to on the page.
As I'm reading the collection this time, I notice how Jeff writes with depth, blending music and meaning in a way that continually inspires me. He weaves the natural world, emotional honesty, and everyday wonder into lines that resonate with quiet strength.
(2) Poetry that balances humor and heart: How to Baptize a Child in Flint Michigan by Sarah Carson
Winner of the 2021 Lexi Rudnitsky Editor’s Choice Award, Sarah Carson’s How to Baptize a Child in Flint Michigan blends wit, honesty, and vulnerability in ways that feel both sharp and deeply human.
I’ve had the pleasure of attending Sarah’s workshops and readings, and her generosity as a teacher become even more apparent as I read through these poems.
As I work through the collection, I'm noticing how this book is bold and funny, but it also cuts straight to the heart—an inspiring reminder that poetry can balance craft with playfulness.
(3) Mapping the unseen: Bone Map by Sara Eliza Johnson
Selected for the National Poetry Series by Martha Collins, Bone Map is an intense, imaginative collection that explores the body, landscape, and desire in ways that feel both haunting and luminous.
Sara Eliza Johnson’s imagery is bold and visceral, creating poems that map not just terrain but also emotion and transformation.
As I read through the book, I'm struck by how this is the kind of collection that pushes me to think bigger in my own creative work.
What poetry books are you reading for inspiration this month?
These are the poetry books keeping me company this October. I'm enjoying how each one offers something different, and I can't wait to get back to reading!
Now I’d love to know: what poetry books are on your nightstand this month? Share in the comments or send me a note—I’m always looking for new reading inspiration.
Happy reading & writing!
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