6 book recommendations from Yrsa Daley-Ward
The poet recommends works by Alice Walker, Anne Carson, and more
When you make a purchase through links on our site, we may earn a commission.
Poet and writer Yrsa Daley-Ward is the author of Bone, a poetry collection, and The Terrible, an award-winning memoir. Her new book, The How: Notes on the Great Work of Meeting Yourself, is a guide to living that blends poetry and prose.
Written on the Body by Jeanette Winterson (1992).
One of the most excellent books I've ever read about love, desire, romance, and responsibility. I read it from cover to cover the first time I visited New York. I fell fast into the novel's world immediately, and there was no going back. I didn't want it to end. I didn't want it to end so much that I started again as soon as I finished. Buy it here.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The Complete Stories by Alice Walker (1994).
I was 18 when I read this. I wished I'd found it sooner, though I suppose you find a book exactly when you need it. I'd just finished The Color Purple (whew!) and needed to read as much Walker as I could find. And then this. Alice Walker become my favorite author. The topics she covers, and how she writes (beautifully) about hard things, became my inspiration. Buy it here.
Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates (2015).
The thing that got me is that Coates is writing to his son, and the stunning language he uses to discuss race, racism, blackness in America, and police brutality. I was in love with this book. I still am. It means the world to me. Buy it here.
James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl (1961).
This could be the reason I'm a writer and poet. I couldn't get enough of this book as a child: the wild, wild story, the mix of poetry, song, tragedy, and fantasy. It showed me that a book can be whatever you want. Buy it here.
Pilgrim at Tinker Creek by Annie Dillard (1974).
The imagery! The language! I am a nature lover, and the way the world is described here takes my breath away. This gorgeous, intimate, poetic book is pause and breath, memoir and spiritual guide. Get the audiobook too. Buy it here.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Autobiography of Red by Anne Carson (1998).
When I first read this novel in verse, I was in love — with the person who gave it to me — and then, more than anything, I was in love with the text. This strange, shifting literary vortex is haunting, brilliant, warm, weird, and so, so delicious. It made a home in my soul. Buy it here.
This article was first published in the latest issue of The Week magazine. If you want to read more like it, you can try six risk-free issues of the magazine here.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
-
'A direct, protracted war with Israel is not something Iran is equipped to fight'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
Today's political cartoons - April 17, 2024
Cartoons Wednesday's cartoons - political anxiety, jury sorting hat, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Arid Gulf states hit with year's worth of rain
Speed Read The historic flooding in Dubai is tied to climate change
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
6 queer poets to read whenever but especially now
The Week Recommends April is National Poetry Month
By Scott Hocker, The Week US Published
-
5 illuminating books to read in April
the week recommends A poetry collection curated by the U.S. Poet Laureate, another adult novel from Julia Alvarez and more
By Theara Coleman, The Week US Published
-
5 thought-provoking books to read in March
The Week Recommends A classic reimagined, a posthumous release, and more
By Theara Coleman, The Week US Published
-
5 alluring books to read in February
The Week Recommends Experimental memoirs, a collaboration between literary greats, and more
By Theara Coleman, The Week US Published
-
Best memoirs and biographies to read in 2024
The Week Recommends Dive into some of the most compelling life stories – from Britney Spears to Keir Starmer
By The Week Staff Last updated
-
2024 Best Picture nominees back when they were books
The Week Recommends Every great movie has to start somewhere
By Scott Hocker, The Week US Published
-
The Hugh Hefner memoir fallout
Why Everyone's Talking About Ex-wife said Playboy founder was 'bad at sex' and his LA mansion was 'rundown and gross'
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
5 intriguing books to read in January
The Week Recommends Kick-start your to-be-read pile with these highly anticipated January 2024 book releases
By Theara Coleman, The Week US Published