New book acquisitions

The Book Collector by Tim Bowling: a new collection from one of the most consistently excellent narrative poets writing in Canada today. Bowling is a true craftsman, and it’s always a pleasure to have a book of new poems from him.

Ashland by Gil Adamson: probably one of my two or three favourite books of poetry written in Canada this decade. I lost my old copy, or lent it to someone and can’t remember, so I had to buy it again. If you don’t have it, get it and read it as soon as possible.

Halflife by Meghan O’Rourke: a debut collection from another young American. I recognized her name as the new poetry editor for The Paris Review, so I picked it up and thumbed through it. There were many impressive blurbs on the back cover. Yes, I sometimes notice these things. Inside the book, I read a couple poems that I liked, including one about a tiger at the Bronx zoo, so I decided to buy the book.

Seaway: New & Selected Poems by Todd Swift: Todd has been living across the pond for a long while, and I think it’s a good idea for him to put out a new and selected with Salmon Poetry. Here’s a poet who’s building a solid reputation for himself on both sides of the Atlantic. He’s a fine ambassador for Canadian poetry in Britain, and this book offers an excellent opportunity to get caught up on the first decade of his work.