Poetry Month Alternatives to celebrate - just like Gilmore Girls

I have always felt slightly ashamed whenever I admit to not really enjoying poetry. However, this month is Poetry Month and I am looking for ways to celebrate. I WANT to like poetry, and every so often I attempt to read a poem in the hopes that my mind will change and I will discover that I actually DO enjoy reading poetry. That hasn’t quite happened yet concerning traditional poetry, but I have discovered a few alternatives that I do enjoy that will allow me to still celebrate this month and honor the spirit and creativity of poets.

If you are not a poetry fan, but wish that you were, then this list of recommendations is for you! I hope that you are able to find one that you love!

Books in Verse

A great alternative to poetry is reading books that are written in verse. This is when a full length novel/story is told through poetry instead of prose. Some examples include:

The Black Flamingo By: Dean Atta

The Black Flamingo books written in verse - just like Gilmore Girls — **A beautiful book about finding and owning your own brand of special and uniqueness.**

The Truth Project By: Dante Medema

The Truth Project books in verse - just like Gilmore Girls — **What happens when a DNA test tells you that your dad isn’t who you thought he was? This is s story of family and identity.**

Your Heart My Sky By: Margarita Engle

Your Heart My Sky books in verse - just like Gilmore Girls — **A Poignant story about two people finding love through a time of starvation**.

Muted By: Tami Charles

Muted Books in verse - just like Gilmore Girls — **Muted is about a young girl who dreams of making it big in the music industry. The story explores the dark side of music, and shows how dreams can sometimes be used against you.**..

Epic Poetry

An epic poem is a long narrative poem that usually focuses on ancient times. It usually involves a great hero who experiences a lot of adventure and trials. My personal favorite form of poetry is actually Epic Poetry, and my favorite will always be The Illiad! (I kind of can’t stand the character Odysseus…Anyone with me? Or am I alone on this?)

The Odyssey and Iliad By: Homer and Retold by Gillian Cross

The Iliad and Odyssey epic poetry - just like gilmore girls — **The epic war story about Odysseus’ travels and the Trojan War…The original source material for countless retellings such as The Song of Achilles and A Thousand Ships.**

Gilgamesh Retold by: Stephen Mitchell

Gilgamesh epic poetry books - just like Gilmore Girls — **Sumerian poems that are considered some of the** **earliest surviving text. Gilgamesh is part god and part human, and the story follows his adventures and eventual quest for immortality.**

Beowulf Translated by: Seamus Heaney

Beowulf epic poetry - just like Gilmore Girls — **Beowulf is a hero who saves the town from the monster Grendel…but then Grendel’s mother returns for vengeance.**

Illustrated Poems and Graphic Novels

Macbeth (Shakespeare Graphic Novels)

Macbeth Graphic novels poetry - just like Gilmore Girls — **The No Fear Shakespeare Series has awesome Graphic Novels not only as alternatives to reading Shakespeares work, but also allows for a new alternative to reading poetry.**

Dandelion Written and Illustrated by: Gabbie Hanna

Dandelion illustrated poetry - just like Gilmore Girls — **Another great option for reading poetry is to pick illustrated poems.**

Poetry as Plays

Shakespeares Work

The Cocktail Party By: T.S Eliot

The Cocktail Party Poetry - just like Gilmore Girls — **What happens when a marriage is having trouble but they have to keep up appearances during social gatherings.**

Retellings From Poetry

I will admit that the only retellings that I know of are from Epic Poetry and Poetry as Plays, but this is still a great way to celebrate during International Poetry Month.