To celebrate World Poetry Day this year we highlight some of our favourite poetry books - old and new. 

World Poetry Day was first adopted by UNESCO in 1999 and is held every year on the 21st March. The aim of this international celebration of poetry is to support linguistic diversity through poetic expression. It's the perfect time to honour our favourite poets, and appreciate the power of poetry.

Here at LoveReading, we're reading and enjoying poems all year round, but for those looking to bring some more poetry into their lives we've put together a collection of some of our favourite anthologies. 

Batsford's poetry anthologies, are compiled to cover a variety of themes in an easily digestible format. Jane McMorland Hunter edits the 'A Nature Poem' collections that includes but certainly isn't limited to A Nature Poem for Every Day of the Year, "A huggable fabulous book containing a nature poem for every day of the year - simply glorious". Liz Ison edited A Poem to Read Aloud Every Day of the Year, described by our Expert Reviewer Maureen Stapleton as a "delightful and beautiful poetry anthology offering wisdom, laughs, solace, inspiration, and everything in between, for every day of the year". The one poem a day format means these collections are easy to dip in and out of without pressure while also providing a beautiful collection of nature poems to enjoy.

Robert Macfarlane and Jackie Morris' The Lost Spells is another poetry collection that sits amongst our must-reads. With artwork to conjure our natural world, this book is described by Liz Robinson as "A seriously beautiful, absolute treasure of a book which is just as magical and bewitching as its big sister The Lost Words."

Wanting to refresh your memory of poetic greats? Carol Ann Duffy shared her chosen Sylvia Plath poems when she was Poet Laureate, celebrating her as a "bold, brilliant, brave poet who changed the world of poetry for us all". You'll also find collections from Duffy herself as well as Ted Hughes, Seamus Heaney, Philip Larkin and Simon Armitage. 

She is Fierce by Ana Sampson includes work from ancient sages, classic poets and emerging contemporary innovators in a stunning gift book that contains 150 beautiful poems by women. This anthology features an array of voices and features short biographies of each poet, it's the essential addition to any bookshelf.

Amanda Gorman achieved worldwide recognition when she delivered The Hill We Climb at the inauguration of United States President Joe Biden. Call Us What We Carry features 70 poems which talk about the collective grief of a global pandemic as well as touching on themes of race, identity and grief.

Keep scrolling for more recommendations to enjoy this World Poetry Day and every day. If you are looking for poetry recommendations for children, or for the child in you, take a look at our Poetry Collection over on LoveReading4Kids.

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