26 Books Written in Verse and Poetry Collections : Jan-Feb

26 Books Series #1: 

Read 26 Books Written in Verse and 

Poetry Collections in 2026

January- February 

One of my goals for my blog this year is to create post series. 

I'm starting a series this year where I read/talk about 26 books in different categories. The first in this series is going to be two of my favorite types of books, books written in verse and poetry collections. Throughout the year, I'm going to keep track of the books I read every two months.

1. We Are All So Good at Smiling by Amber McBride- Novel Written in Verse

- A beautiful book written in verse which deals with grief and depression. It is a story set in a contemporary world that feels magical. Whimsy uses fairy tales and other stories as a coping mechanism. They are her way of expressing the pain she feels because of the trauma she experienced in her past.

- Amber McBride's writing was stunning. She uses magical realism and metaphors to tell Whimsy and Faerry's story. I heavily related to them both throughout, especially since I too use poetry and stories to deal with my own grief. 

"You just have to learn
how to come back
to yourself
even when you can’t explain
your pain
in this part
of the Garden.

For you, your voice,
your story is everything" 

2. the witch doesn't drown in this one by Amanda Lovelace- Poetry

- Amanda Lovelace does it again in this beautiful collection of poems. She has a way with words that always stands out to me in each piece she creates. I love how her poetry collections flow together so well. The way she uses her formatting is another aspect I highly enjoy when reading her poems. You can tell that she not only thinks through her words but also how the poems look on the page and feel when read.                                

3. Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds- Novel Written in Verse

- One of the most beautifully heart-wrenching books I have ever read. The whole idea of this, a boy in the hood dealing with grief combined with A Christmas Carol, is just incredible. It had me in tears by the end. Jason Reynolds is such a great author and his lyrical writing is so stunning.

“When bad things happen
we can usually look up and see
the moon, big and bright,
shining over us.

That always made me feel better.

Like there's something up there
beaming down on us in the dark.” 

4. For Every One by Jason Reynolds - Poetry

- An inspirational letter written to the dreamers out there as a long poem. Jason Reynold's lyrical writing is absolutely stunning. This poem is so special. I love how the poem was formatted throughout this book and I highly recommend listening to his audiobook read of the poem. He is one of my absolute favorite narrators. 

"THIS LETTER IS FOR US ALL,

to remind us

that we are many.

That we are right 

for trying. 

That purpose is real. 

That making it is possible.  

 

But this letter is not about making it,

BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW 

NOTHING ABOUT THAT. 

 

I DON'T KNOW NOTHING ABOUT THAT

at all. 

Besides,

I'm not sure

making it 

even matters 

so much."  

5. The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo- Novel Written in Verse

- Absolutely stunning! I loved reading about Xiomara falling in love with Slam Poetry and finding herself along the way. Such a beautiful story. This had me in tears many times. Elizabeth Acevedo does an incredible job showing the power of poetry. 

 
“Maybe, the only thing that has to make sense
about being somebody's friend
is that you help them be their best self
on any given day. That you give them a home
when they don't want to be in their own.”