Don’t Read Poetry Books
It is a fact that reading poetry books can be a bit intimidating. This can be especially true if you are a beginner to the genre or don’t have any sort of background knowledge when it comes to poetry. Many individuals can shy away from them, as it can be difficult to even understand the words that are written. However, it can be argued that it is still important for everyone to at least attempt to read poetry books, as it can be a rewarding and important experience.
Understand Your Poetry
Poetry is complex and it is important to understand various aspects in order to appreciate it. It helps to read the poem a couple of times, as the more times you read through it, the more meaning you will find. Studying literature can also be beneficial, and this includes learning how to spot various poetic devices that are used and how they are incorporated in the poem. Looking up unfamiliar words can help too, as the poems will make more sense when you understand the connotations.
Gain Perspective
Reading poetry books is a great way to gain a new perspective on certain thoughts or ideas. Poetry is incredibly personal and can be incredibly moving when reading something that is filled with emotion. Although one individual may interpret one poem differently, it does not make one version wrong and the other right. It is all subjective and reading can bring a greater appreciation for different views and outlooks.
Broaden Your Horizons
Reading poetry can be an eye-opening experience. Reading books from different authors and different eras can show how the subject matter has changed and evolved over time. Trying out different techniques and styles can also be beneficial and perhaps even inspire someone to write something of their own.
Create Connections
Reading poetry books can help someone to make connections as well as connections between themselves and the world around them. Struggling to make sense of difficult poems is a way of understanding a different culture, society and the history of literature.
Develop Critical Thinking
Ultimately, developing critical thinking is a key benefit of reading these kinds of books. Critical thinking is a skill that is not easily learnt, yet can be developed through reading and discussing poetry. Examining and evaluating the content requires a level of analytical thinking and this can help someone to understand the world around them in a much deeper way.
Practice & Improve Reading Comprehension
Poetry books can also be beneficial for one’s reading comprehension. Depending on the genre of poetry, each poem will be filled with a diverse range of vocabulary. Each poem will also consist of different shades of meaning and looking for that meaning requires thought and concentration.
Getting Over the Fear of Poetry Reading
Many of us are often afraid of reading poetry due to its difficult nature. To understand poetry, you must spend time reading, pondering, and discussing until its message can be fully appreciated. If you take the time to read poetry, then you should not be disappointed in the end. If nothing else, spending the time to read and understand a poem can reveal its hidden depths and expose you to a different world.
Making it Easier to Read Poetry
Finding the right place to start reading can always be difficult when beginning to read any kind of book, especially if it is a poetry book. To ease into it, try out different poets and different styles of poetry whilst also reading different books on the same themes you were initially interested in. It can also be a great idea to take a look at some of the more modern approaches to poetry, as these books may be more approachable.
Sharing Poetry
Discussing poetry with friends or family can also be a great way to uncover more insights and interpretations of various poems and attract a wider knowledge on the same topic. Whether online or offline, having a few friends or family to talk to about a poem can make the experience much more comfortable, as it becomes easier to build on each other ideas and join together to unlock the poet’s true meaning.
Involving Yourself in Poetry
Involving yourself in poetry can take many different forms. Writing poetry can often be even more rewarding than reading poetry, as it is your own thoughts being put down on paper. Looking for poetry readings and open mic nights can also be a great way to connect with like-minded people.
Variety of Poetry Genres
The beauty of reading poetry books is the huge variety and different genres to choose from. Whether you’re interested in science, art, love, hate or any other emotion, there is likely to be a poem which resonates. Pick a genre and start to explore it, and you may be pleasantly surprised by the experience.
Keep Exploring
Poetry can be seen as a never ending journey, and sometimes it can be quite hard to go back to the same poem after already reading it several times. Don’t be afraid to try out different poets, different poems and different books. You may end up finding something that you never thought you would and it could even fuel a passion from then on.
Stay Positive
Poetry does not have to be all daunting. Even if you don’t fully understand something, that is ok. Try to stay positive and determined and eventually you will have a better understanding and appreciation for the genre.
