This week, on Poetry Beach Reads series we welcome poet Rachel Turney, author of Retired Wannabe Club Kid (Parlyaree Press). She runs the online series Poetry (in Brief). She's on the staff at Bare Back Magazine and a reader for The Los Angeles Review.
Welcome to Poetry Beach Reads, Rachel! Tell us... what makes a good beach read?
My ideal beach read should counteract the warm sun lethargy of sandy shores. I like a beach book that fits with a sunny day, when I am aggravated and overheated, but also a cloudy ominous morning read with contemplative coffee. I am looking for poetry that bites, that is sad, true, and has a mission.
Here are three books Rachel suggests.
American Saunter (Flowersong Press) by A.M. Hayden
Summer is a good time to think about our country and all the many people living in the United States and their unique cultures and perspectives. American Saunter is the perfect companion to this contemplation. The collection is rich with history, new and old. One of the most gripping pieces to me was about school shootings, which have become part of every life in the United States. “Rinse, Repeat Chalkboard” is a crushing poem about the fragility, fear, and uncertainty facing our youngest and most vulnerable citizens. The photograph A.M. has paired with another poem on the same theme, “Kids in America,” will really give you pause.
Ghost Man on Second (Autumn House Press) by Erica Reid
Who doesn’t like to wallow in sadness while also learning new things? Erica brings that dichotomy with her collection, Ghost Man on Second, winner of the 2023 Donald Justice Poetry Prize. This collection is layered, personal, and relatable. I especially like when Erica writes about the painful truths of a disappointing family.
Another Place Altogether (Kelsay Books) by Candice Kelsey
I respect, admire, and am thankful for the unflinching way Candice comments on womanhood in America. Candice also examines places in a complex and compelling way, particularly cities and their intersection with identity. Having read much of her work, I find that Candice’s writing is changing. She is becoming less apologetic. I love that for her and also for what it is doing to her writing.
Check out Rachel's book, too!
Record Player Life (the b-side) (The Poetry Lighthouse) by Rachel Turney
My debut poetry collection is about daily life, the little moments. It makes a good beach read because it is “simplistic” with a bend of surrealism and also, I would like to think, funny. Whether you are toes in the sand in Gulf Shores, San Francisco, or New Zealand, I hope salt air seekers will especially enjoy the section dedicated to poems about travel and place.
About Rachel Turney
Rachel Turney, Ed.D. is an educator and artist located in Denver, Colorado. Rachel is on staff at Bare Back Magazine and is a reader for The Los Angeles Review. She runs the popular online reading series Poetry (in Brief). Her poetry book, Retired Wannabe Club Kid, is out now with Parlyaree Press. To learn more, visit turneytalks.com and Instagram @turneytalks
Your Turn! Tell us... what makes a good beach read?
Are you a poet, editor, or reader burning with a few good recommendations? Please write to katie (@) thepoetryshop.com with subject header: "Poetry Beach Reads". Submit a paragraph describing your ideal beach read. Then recommend 3 poetry books (a paragraph for each) telling us why we should bring them to the beach. We will try our best to feature as many of these as we can through August.