Poetry Book Club - March

The Book of Bad Betties, edited by Vanessa Kisuule and Anja Konig

An extra post from me this week. I’m not even going to pretend I’ve not been desperate to send this one out. Incase you missed it, this year I’m planning to read a poetry book a month and am inviting anyone who fancies doing the same to join in the fun. All the details can be found here:

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Enter our Poetry Book Club choice for March - The Book of Bad Betties.

Published by Bad Betty Press, edited by Vanessa Kisuule and Anja Konig.

The Book of Bad Betties, edited by Vanessa Kisuule and Anja Konig

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The blurb reads,

“The poems in this book pay tribute to the women who’ve changed our lives, globally or personally. The fighters, survivors, rebels, queens, bosses, mentors, mothers, lovers and friends.”

Yes, I have chosen an anthology this month. Can you read an anthology for book club? Why am I even asking that question, there are no rules for book club. And I LOVE an anthology. How about you?

The book begins with the editors discussing, ‘What is a Bad Betty?’ I don’t want to ruin a great opening that immediately gets you thinking but I’ll just pick out one quote,

“I think the poems that really stood out didn’t fall into blind worship. They talked about women as they are...What you and I tried to do was pick poems that acknowledge the baggage of the title but also go underneath it and try to expand the notions of what that might mean.”

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Oh my goodness is that evident. I’m trying hard to read it cover to cover but already I’ve started dipping in and post-it-noting and swooning. It’s hard not to when there are poems with titles like, ‘o to be liz taylor’ and ‘Gertrude Stein, in conversation and as observed through a carafe.’

Poet, Joelle Taylor describes this books as “By far the most exciting, questing and innovative anthology of woman-centred poetry in recent years.”

Hopefully you can see why I chose it?

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Dates for the month ahead:

SUNDAY 30th MARCH - the last Sunday of the month will again be our discussion post to chat and share and generally dissect the book. If you’re using book club as a nudge to read more poetry, here’s your (gentle) deadline.

THURSDAY 27th MARCH - 8pm (London) Poetry Circle for paid subs, live on Zoom.

I’ve gone back to an evening slot for March. Come and chat some more, write some poetry inspired by the book and read aloud if you fancy. As always, it’s 100% not necessary to have read the book in order to join, I’ll send out the links before the event.

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I didn’t want to spoil the fun by sharing a poem from the book but for those not joining in this month, here’s another poem by one of the editors - the brilliant Vanessa Kisuule. This is, The Guitar and the Ageing Dancer, via Poetry International. There are a few more of her poems on this link too. Well worth a read.

The Guitar and the Ageing Dancer, Vanessa Kisuule, via Poetry International

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O.k I’m off to pretend I’m not reading poetry when I should be doing some work today.

What a lovely way to be distracted though hey.

Nelly x

P.s Do let me know what you think of the next book in the comments. Are you going to join in this month?