Editors Recommend

The Best Poetry Books to Explore New Genres & Eras

Hey there, fellow bookworms! 📚 Ready to dive into a world where words paint pictures and feelings come alive? Well, buckle up, because we’re about to explore some of the best poetry books.

Whether you’re a poetry pro or testing the waters, these books are like a rollercoaster. You will find poems that are exciting, a bit unpredictable, and guaranteed to leave you happy. So, grab your cup of coffee (or tea!), find a comfy spot, and let’s get cozy with some verses.

 

Best Poetry Books to Read Poems About Life

First, let’s explore verses that tell stories about life’s twists and turns. These poems about life are little treasures, waiting to be discovered and cherished!

Where Stories Gather by Karuna Ezara Parikh

Karuna Ezara Parikh’s debut poetry volume offers a blend of beloved classics and fresh insights into her personal journey. From identity to womanhood, she explores profound themes with honesty and grace.

Through urgent yet lyrical verses, Karuna emerges as a voice for the fragile human spirit, offering empathy and hope in every line.
Buy Now 

Teething: A Story Told in Verse by Megha Rao


Set in Kerala, this verse novel follows Kochu’s tragic end after a scandal. Years later, his sister Achu discovers his suicide note, leading her on a journey to uncover family mysteries. Through brokenness, secrecy, and personal trauma, Achu realizes they must relive their lives to truly grow up.

Lost, Hurt, or in Transit Beautiful by Rohan Chhetri

In Rohan Chhetri’s much-awaited second collection, inherited literary forms-the ode, the lyric, and pristine tercets-are juxtaposed with gorgeously fractured and stylistically daring hybrid pieces.

Winner of the prestigious Kundiman Prize for Poetry, Lost, Hurt, Or in Transit Beautiful is a luminous and haunting book.
Buy Now 

Meanwhile: Poems by Prerna Gill


This poetry collection dives into the simple moments of life, like the quiet before sleep or memories triggered by changing seasons. Life is a thread connecting all our experiences, sometimes soft and gentle, sometimes tight.

Despite its simplicity, everyday life is full of surprises and meaning in Meanwhile.
Buy Now 

Saturday Stories by Rashmi Bansal


From the author of beloved bestsellers, immerse yourself in a collection of stories that explore the range of human emotions. With simplicity and a touch of dark humour, Rashmi Bansal’s poems surprises, inspires, and entertains.
Buy Now 

Everything is the Whole Day by Preeta Samarasan


Meet Aasha and her family in Malaysia, where secrets hide. Why did Chellam leave? Why did the sister go away? The Big House holds stories. Preeta Samarasan’s first poem shares family feelings in a land with different people. A story of love, loss, and secrets in a special place.
Buy Now 

 

Famous Poems by Famous Poets

Step into the world of Famous Poems by Famous Poets, where the magic of words takes centre stage. Explore timeless stories that have been loved by many through these poems.

Rumi: A New Collection by Farrukh Dhondy


Love, devotion, suffering and longing mysteriously co-exist in the poems of Jalal-ud-din Rumi. Composed almost eight centuries ago, the deep spirituality and buoyant wisdom of the poems are a source of inspiration to millions today.

Farrukh Dhondy’s translations not only offer a modern idiom to the poems, but also faithfully keep intact their religious context.
Buy Now 

A Poem a Day by Gulzar


This prestigious volume showcases 365 memorable poems year written over the seven decades since Independence by some of the leading poets of the Indian Subcontinent.

This wonderful selection, personally chosen and translated by Gulzar, feature the work of poets from the north, south, west and east of India, as well as the North-East, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal and Pakistan. It presents a kaleidoscopic view of history, human experience and poetic expression since 1947.
Buy Now 

Baaghbaan by Rabindranath Tagore and Gulzar


Baaghbaan marks the irresistible coming together of two giants of poetry: Rabindranath Tagore and Gulzar. Drawing on some of Tagore’s most well-known poetry collections – Chitra, Kshanika, Sonar Tari – Gulzar’s translation provides a whole new insight to the Bard of Bengal. Including the original in Bengali and Tagore’s own English translations of the same, this is a collector’s edition.
Buy Now 

Hafiz: An Offering Translated by Farrukh Dhondy


Step into a land of enchanting words by Hafiz, a poet loved by many. His poems, tell stories of love—sometimes earthly, sometimes like magic from the sky. Now, these famous poems are ready to be enjoyed in English!
Buy Now 

 

Journey of Faith: Exploring Books on the Devine and Devotion

These poems are like treasure chests full of wisdom and inspiration, guiding us on a path of spiritual discovery. It’s an adventure that will open your heart and mind to new perspectives, offering glimpses into the rich tapestry of human spirituality.

After by Vivek Narayanan


Inspired by India’s timeless epic, the Ramayana, Vivek Narayanan’s collection of poems, “After,” breathes new life into the ancient tale. In this conversation across time, Narayanan merges the wisdom of the Sanskrit epic with contemporary English poetry.

Similar to other groundbreaking reinterpretations of classic works, “After” offers a transformative journey through the echoes of the past and the realities of today.
Buy Now 

Saundarya Lahari: Wave of Beauty by Mani Rao


This Sanskrit hymn celebrates the power and beauty of Sakti, the primordial goddess, in one hundred verses. Attributed to Adi Sankaracarya, it emphasizes the importance of the feminine principle in Indian thought and offers insights into tantric ideas.

Mani Rao’s lyrical translation makes these hymns accessible, bridging the gap between the ancient and the contemporary.
Buy Now 

Songs for Siva: Vacanas of Akka Mahadevi by Vinaya Chaitanya


Born in twelfth-century Karnataka, Akka Mahadevi was a trailblazer for women’s rights. She worshipped Channamallikarjuna, her village’s version of Siva, from a young age. Despite being forced into marriage, her devotion to God led her to abandon everything and wander as a naked poet-saint.

Her vacanas, or spoken words, express her radical love for Siva.
Buy Now 

Bhagvad Gita: God’s Song by Mani Rao


The Bhagavad Gita may feel distant due to many translations and complex words. But fear not! With Mani Rao’s help, this volume brings back the original Sanskrit. This modern translation makes the Gita’s wisdom clear and easy to understand for all.
Buy Now 

 

Explore the Beauty of Poems in Hindi

Discover the richness of expression that Hindi poetry brings to life. These verses paint a picture of emotions and take you on a joyful ride.

Nude: Poems by Vishal Bhardwa (translated by Sukrita Paul Kumar)


Meet a new side of Vishal Bhardwaj through his Hindi poems. In “Nude,” twenty-five ghazals and nazms reveal his distinctive voice. Each poem dances with wonder, rhythm, and intrigue. Modern yet rooted in Hindi and Urdu traditions, Bhardwaj’s poems blend unusual imagery with an old-world charm.
Buy Now 

Infinite Verse by Amit Khanna


Dive into the poetic world of Amit Khanna, a maestro in media for over four decades. In his debut, Khanna beautifully captures moments that stand out from everyday life. Simple, profound, and powerful, these poems explore themes of loss, pain, love, and joy. “Infinite Verse” is a conversation with readers, leaving them yearning for more.
Buy Now 

 

Poetry Collections for Poetry Buffs

This section is for my poetry buffs. Weather you want a collection of some of the best poems for yourself or a loved one, these poetry collections are the way to go.

Baal-o-par: Collected Poems by Gulzar & Rakhshanda Jalil


Baal-o-Par is a definitive collection of Gulzar’s poetry. It comprises the complete text of six volumes of poems: Chand Pukhraaj Ka, Raat Pashminey Ki, Pandrah Paanch Pachhattar, Kuchh Aur Nazmein, Pluto and Triveni.

This beautifully bound hardcover of poems by Gulzar is a must have for all poetry lovers.
Buy Now 

Wages of Love: The uncollected writing of Kamla Das by Suresh Kohli


This book brings together stories, plays, poems, and essays never collected before. Like in, ‘The Fair-Skinned Babu,’ a writer turns Muslim to hire someone to end her life. ‘Neipayasam’ tells of kids enjoying their mom’s dessert on an unusual morning. Also find what Kamala Das had to say about running for elections.

Wages of Love, compiled by Suresh Kohli, brings back Das’s free spirit and amazing writing.
Buy Now 

Quiver: Poems and Ghazals by Javed Akhtar


A must-have for all poetry lovers, offering profound messages in simple words, this is a poetry collection by Javed Akhtar. It takes readers a trip down the poet’s childhood lane, reflecting on innocence lost with time. It’s also about love – the tricky parts, the pains, and yes, the joys. As fans of Javed Akhtar’s works would know, these poems seem easy to understand. But read closely and you will find deeper meaning within.
Buy Now 

Anandibai Joshee: A Life in Poems by Shikha Malaviya


Dive into the poetic adventure of Anandibai’s life. Poems in this collection span from her childhood in Kalyan to becoming a doctor. Shikha Malaviya shares the story of a courageous woman who crossed seas for her dreams.
Buy Now 

 

Other Must-Read Poems

If the above poems are not your cup of tea, here are some more must-read poems.

Sufiana: Poems by Hoshang Merchant


In and out of cultures, countries, homes and beds, Hoshang has his innocence and spirit undimmed. And both shine through luminously in these poems. These poems contextualize Sufism for the twenty-first century using the wisdom and music of the East. This is indeed a glorious addition to the growing list of new world poetry.
Buy Now 

Hazaar Rang Shaairi: The Wonderful World of the Urdu Nazm by Anisur Rahman


Dive into the world of Urdu nazms with this carefully compiled anthology spanning centuries. Edited and translated by Anisur Rahman, it features 140 nazms, showcasing the form’s evolution from its origins in the Deccan to its diverse expressions across South Asia.

With dazzling English translations alongside the original text, readers can enjoy and explore the intricacies of this profound poetic tradition.
Buy Now 

Hazaron Khawaishen Aisi: The Wonderful World of Urdu Ghazals by Anisur Rahman


This volume brings you the first ever comprehensive collection of Urdu ghazals from its very beginnings in the late sixteenth century to the present times. Sixty-five poets from seven literary periods and diverse locations come together in this collection to showcase a rich fare of ideas and styles.

This volume is made richer with the inclusion of the Roman transliteration of the originals in Urdu alongside their English translations.
Buy Now 

How to Love in Sanskrit: Poems by Anusha Rao and Suhas Mahesh


How to Love in Sanskrit is an invitation to Sanskrit love poetry, bringing together verses and short prose pieces by celebrated writers like Kalidasa and Banabhatta, Buddhist and Jain monks, scholars, emperors, and even some modern-day poets.

How do you brew a love potion? Turn someone crimson with a compliment? How do you make love? How do you quarrel and make up? Nurse a broken heart? And how do you let go? There’s something for everyone in this brilliantly translated ancient guide to love for modern readers.
Buy Now 

harperbroadcast

Recent Posts

Read an Excerpt from ‘The Keeper of Desolation’

Surreal yet gritty, violent yet poetic – such is the world of Chandan Pandey’s fiction.…

7 months ago

Mitali Mukherjee’s Favourite Books

From books on financial frauds to a graphic novel based in Gaza, Mitali Mukherjee reading…

7 months ago

Between the Lines with Mitali Mukherjee

Mitali Mukherjee's chilling and unputdownable new book Crypto Crimes traces the murky underbelly of the…

7 months ago

Mastering Money: Essential Reads in Finance and Business Books

Hey there readers! For today’s blog we have brought you a collection of finance and…

7 months ago

Explore The World of YA Novels Perfect for Teens

Hi readers! In this week’s blog we have some Young Adult recommendations perfect for teens.…

7 months ago

India’s #1 crime writer S. Hussain Zaidi is back with a riveting thriller – The Black Orphan

is proud to announce the release of THE BLACK ORPHAN   Inspired by true events,…

7 months ago