32 review for Best Poems of 1997: The National Library of Poetry

1. 

   4 out of 5

   Yigru Zeltil – Aug 16, 2013

   I was such an unsuspecting reader... I initially thought this is a legit Best Poems of [year x] kind of book. In reality, Best Poems of 1997 is a shady compilation born out of a contest for the "best poem of 1997". It should warn you enough the fact that EVERY single text that was submitted (and there are at least 5-6 on each page, so there are literally thousands of poems here) was printed in this hardcover edition that you'd thought would be an anthology. No, it isn't. And there are thousands I was such an unsuspecting reader... I initially thought this is a legit Best Poems of [year x] kind of book. In reality, Best Poems of 1997 is a shady compilation born out of a contest for the "best poem of 1997". It should warn you enough the fact that EVERY single text that was submitted (and there are at least 5-6 on each page, so there are literally thousands of poems here) was printed in this hardcover edition that you'd thought would be an anthology. No, it isn't. And there are thousands of no-name authors to be found here - don't have to ask God why I haven't encountered, in the reading sessions in which I tried to read as many poems as I could, almost anything noteworthy. Authentic poets probably avoid this "National Library of Poetry" like the plague - funny that similar things happen in both USA and Romania. It took only a few Google hits to encounter an article with phrases such as "Area poets and writing professors say the National Library of Poetry feeds upon an aspiring but naive writer's vulnerable ego". In other words, participating in such a shady affair does good to all the writers' ego, but definitely not recommended for readers who are in for good poetry and not an ocean of mediocre (at best) texts.

2. 

   4 out of 5

   Christy Parker –

3. 

   4 out of 5

   Sean –

4. 

   4 out of 5

   Peggy Lee Berst. –

5. 

   5 out of 5

   Edgardo –

6. 

   5 out of 5

   Crystal Gail –

7. 

   4 out of 5

   Heather Fox –

8. 

   4 out of 5

   Lyn W –

9. 

   4 out of 5

   Linda –

10. 

    4 out of 5

    Donnette Lewis –

11. 

    4 out of 5

    Lela Tenters –

12. 

    5 out of 5

    Heather Marie –

13. 

    5 out of 5

    Shantellet Brooks –

14. 

    4 out of 5

    Bill Pace –

15. 

    4 out of 5

    Destiny Mathis –

16. 

    5 out of 5

    Nancy Murillo –

17. 

    5 out of 5

    Elizabeth Stansberry –

18. 

    4 out of 5

    Jennilynn Kiggins –

19. 

    5 out of 5

    Kimberley Cline –

20. 

    4 out of 5

    Catherine –

21. 

    4 out of 5

    Jeff Walisz3ewki –

22. 

    4 out of 5

    Shannon –

23. 

    4 out of 5

    Rey ZWolf –

24. 

    4 out of 5

    Margueritam –

25. 

    4 out of 5

    Rita Maskill –

26. 

    4 out of 5

    Johnmac –

27. 

    4 out of 5

    John Wick –

28. 

    4 out of 5

    Lisa Prine –

29. 

    4 out of 5

    Lenno Minton –

30. 

    4 out of 5

    Barbara Moore –

31. 

    4 out of 5

    BEVERLY JONES –

32. 

    5 out of 5

    kristine malfetano –