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Best Middle Eastern Poetry

The Essential Rumi, New Expanded Edition
The Essential Rumi continues to be the bestselling of all Rumi books, and the definitive selection of his beautiful, mystical poetry. Text: English. Original Language: Persian. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
Reviews
"One can pick up this volume and turn to any page for a shot of verbal adrenaline, for Rumi talks about everything under the sun and is completely free of puritanical shame - so very refreshing. In fact, he writes as if the listener is on the same level and can ignite the identical inner spark that Rumi has through some kind of spontaneous combustion. I'd also like to see a few hundred copies of Rumi circulated at our nation's capitol, since it's hard to imagine anyone there having read something even as basic and moral as "A Thousand and One Nights," either as a child or by their parents, to expand their perspective on the world as an adult - and unfortunately this contracted and limited view of life really really shows and the rest of us have to suffer for it... Free copies for everyone paid out of the military budget."
"One of best book of great Rumi."
"In September of 2012, I created a photographic gallery of Rumi quotations and used a few of the quotes from Coleman Bark's book with direct permission from the author - I thought it was so cool that he emailed me back and was gracious about it. The translation is great but the content is very hard to put into context.... it's like reading about another person's dreams.... they make very little sense except a few moments in time when something clarifying and brilliant happens."
"Great poetry that inspires and is easily relate able to modern times."
"One of my all-time favorite books which I can and will read over and over."
"I read this book daily."
"I have had this in book form and I need something I can just carry with me anywhere I go."
"Coleman Barks is one of the best for bringing Rumi to the 21st century!..not literal translations from Persian, I've heard, but renderings that do capture the taste of Rumi's message."
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The Essential Rumi
The Essential Rumi continues to be the bestselling of all Rumi books, and the definitive selection of his beautiful, mystical poetry. Text: English. Original Language: Persian.
Reviews
"One can pick up this volume and turn to any page for a shot of verbal adrenaline, for Rumi talks about everything under the sun and is completely free of puritanical shame - so very refreshing. In fact, he writes as if the listener is on the same level and can ignite the identical inner spark that Rumi has through some kind of spontaneous combustion. I'd also like to see a few hundred copies of Rumi circulated at our nation's capitol, since it's hard to imagine anyone there having read something even as basic and moral as "A Thousand and One Nights," either as a child or by their parents, to expand their perspective on the world as an adult - and unfortunately this contracted and limited view of life really really shows and the rest of us have to suffer for it... Free copies for everyone paid out of the military budget."
"One of best book of great Rumi."
"In September of 2012, I created a photographic gallery of Rumi quotations and used a few of the quotes from Coleman Bark's book with direct permission from the author - I thought it was so cool that he emailed me back and was gracious about it. The translation is great but the content is very hard to put into context.... it's like reading about another person's dreams.... they make very little sense except a few moments in time when something clarifying and brilliant happens."
"Great poetry that inspires and is easily relate able to modern times."
"One of my all-time favorite books which I can and will read over and over."
"I read this book daily."
"I have had this in book form and I need something I can just carry with me anywhere I go."
"Coleman Barks is one of the best for bringing Rumi to the 21st century!..not literal translations from Persian, I've heard, but renderings that do capture the taste of Rumi's message."
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Mind Platter
Mind Platter contains around 200 one-page entries as reflections on different topics that we encounter in our everyday lives; love, friendship, hurt, inspiration, respect, wholeheartedness, motivation, integrity, honesty and more. To the heart in you, don't be afraid to feel.
Reviews
"Such an amazing book!"
"Great experience when you read it, you will change your mind 100% I loved it!"
"I loved this book because it really helps you to think to remain calm and stay positive ,loved reading it."
"Very empowering book that encourages you to have a better perspective towards life's journey."
"I read one page every morning to start the day with positive thoughts."
"I love anything Najwa Zebian writes and this book did not disappoint."
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Best African Literary History & Criticism

Gilgamesh: A New English Version
Gilgamesh is considered one of the masterpieces of world literature, but until now there has not been a version that is a superlative literary text in its own right. Inscribed on stone tablets a thousand years before the Iliad and the Bible and found in fragments, Gilgamesh describes the journey of the king of the city of Uruk in what is now Iraq.At the start, Gilgamesh is a young giant with gigantic wealth, power and beauty—and a boundless arrogance that leads him to oppress his people. He does not become immortal in the way he thinks he wants to be, but he is able to embrace what is.Relying on existing translations (and in places where there are gaps, on his own imagination), Mitchell seeks language that is as swift and strong as the story itself. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Reviews
"My college students really like this translation."
"A wonderful translation for a junior in college - easy to comprehend and great breakdowns."
"This is a wonderful ancient story, and as retold by Stephen Mitchell, the words absolutely sing."
"Very nice translation."
"This is a great book to read the Epic of Gilgamesh."
"Stephen Mitchell does an exceptional job in setting the stage for reading this classic."
"Overall, it does contain a meaningful lesson behind the story and it was easy to read."
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Best Inspirational & Religious Poetry

The Prophet (A Borzoi Book)
Gibran’s musings are divided into twenty-eight chapters covering such sprawling topics as love, marriage, children, giving, eating and drinking, work, joy and sorrow, housing, clothes, buying and selling, crime and punishment, laws, freedom, reason and passion, pain, self-knowledge, teaching, friendship, talking, time, good and evil, prayer, pleasure, beauty, religion, and death. The Chicago Post said of The Prophet : “Cadenced and vibrant with feeling, the words of Kahlil Gibran bring to one’s ears the majestic rhythm of Ecclesiastes . On the most basic topics--marriage, children, friendship, work, pleasure--his words have a power and lucidity that in another era would surely have provoked the description "divinely inspired."
Reviews
"I bought this to replenish my lending library."
"The seller was very prompt, and even agreed to add a birthday note with the shipment."
"Must read before you Die."
"It seems to be one of those books you keep passing forward, like Gift From the Sea. All I can say, at the time is, to continue maintaining your amazing customer service."
"This was given to me as a gift so I purchased one to give as a gift."
"It has helped to replace the many dysfunctional premises my sociopathic parents modeled!"
"This is my favorite gift for graduating seniors."
"This is a classic."
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Best Asian Poetry

The Essential Haiku: Versions of Basho, Buson, & Issa (Essential Poets)
This definite collection brings together in fresh translations by an American poet the essential poems of the three greatest masters: Matsuo Basho in the seventeenth century; Yosa Buson in the eighteenth century; and Kobayashi Issa in the early nineteenth century. Here he presents three masters of the haiku form: Basho (1644-1694), the haiku poet most familiar to English readers; Buson (1716-1783), a visually oriented writer renowned in his time as a painter; and Issa (1763-1827), whose work is most poignant when he utilizes his ironic wit. Richly annotated, with illuminating essays on the poets and Japanese poetics, this anthology significantly broadens the pleasure of haiku for anyone unable to read them in the original.
Reviews
"Haiku are simple and pure poetry done with 3 and sometimes verses, describing certain quality."
"Wasn't happy about the price but it was worth it!"
"The haiku translations in this book are very good and are accompanied by explanations of the verses and with. descriptive narratives on the lives of the three key writers of haiku."
"A small collection of haikus from the three greats: Basho, Buson, Issa."
"Particularly valuable and unexpected are the notes in the chapter from Basho on his own work."
"It's the part of Japanese Culture and Eastern Mediation as I really know about Zen Buddism in Japan."
"Splendid collection."
"Beautiful versions of these translated haikus."
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Best European Poetry

The Poetic Edda: Stories of the Norse Gods and Heroes (Hackett Classics)
"The poems of the Poetic Edda have waited a long time for a Modern English translation that would do them justice. Jackson Crawford earned his Ph.D. in Scandinavian Studies from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and an M.A.
Reviews
"There's a difference... actually, there's an abyss between a translation and a true, high quality social localization."
"One of the best translations I've seen."
"This is a beautiful translation and interpretation of the Poetic Edda."
"Great translation, I'd recommend to anyone interested in the subject matter."
"Clear, easily readable texts; good background and notes; works well as an introductory text for Norse mythology to undergraduates."
"Excellent work by an excellent Professor."
"Great book."
"Can't wait to dig in."
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Best African Poetry

Twas the Night Before Christmas:Edited by Santa Claus for the Benefit of Children of the 21st Century
Attracting global media attention, The BBC, The View, The Colbert Report, New York Post, Huffington Post and many others for what the Kirkus Review calls a legitimate editing of the reference to the pipe and wreath of smoke for the first time in the history of this the most famous poem in the English language. Winner of 4 IBPA 2013 Benjamin Franklin Awards,including first place best cover,Moonbeam Children's Book Awards 2012 Gold Medal best holiday book, first place at the Global International Ebook Awards best Christian children's title,gold place for the Mom's Choice Awards in 2013. Positive reviews:Kirkus,Midwest Book Review,Resources Children's Literature Journal --Resources Children's Literature Journal.
Reviews
"Even purchased 100 yr anniversary Golden books of story but alas they weren’t pop up and kids said it wasn’t sane so each could have their own copy."
"The Night Before Christmas (Little Golden Book)... Clement Clarke Moore is a wonderful book for children, and I believe it may be the same one my parents gave me as a kid!"
"Great Christmas gift to my grown kids to read to their kids.. We read it before opening presents."
"It is the night before Christmas, what other story is appropriate to read to my grandson."
"It’s adorable (when you actually read the whole headline and realize you are not getting a full size book 😜). My daughter loved it and read it over and over."
"The most perfect Christmas gift."
"Reading this book to my child brings back memories for me!"
"Thought this was a pop-up book."
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Best American Poetry

Dr. Seuss's Beginner Book Collection (Cat in the Hat, One Fish Two Fish, Green Eggs and Ham, Hop on Pop, Fox in Socks)
A perfect gift for new parents, birthday celebrations, and happy occasions of all kinds, this collection of five beloved Beginner Books by Dr. Seuss— The Cat in the Hat, One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish, Green Eggs and Ham, Hop on Pop, and Fox in Socks —will be cherished by young and old alike. Dr. Seuss’s long list of awards includes Caldecott Honors for McElligot’s Pool , If I Ran the Zoo , and Bartholomew and the Oobleck , the Pulitzer Prize, and eight honorary doctorates.
Reviews
"She's three, and I was looking forward to reading them to her now, and watching her learn the words, so she could 'pretend' she was reading them along with me, as I did as a child, and ultimately, letting her read them to me. I've just opened a couple of them at random and taken pics to show you the bleed-through of the images and words on the reverse side of the page."
"Picked up for our almost-3 yo."
"You start your kid's collection with these books by Dr. Seuss."
"I read these in a lower light setting given they are bed time stories for my daughter so perhaps that's why I'm not seeing it."
"My daughter absolutely loves these books."
"What would childhood be without One Fish, Two Fish and The Cat in the Hat?"
"I always have fun with these books and reading them to my son is always a great experience."
"Kind of hard to enjoy the story when the illustrations on the back of the page are showing through."
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Best Russian Poetry

Black Book of Poems
Black Book of Poems is the debut title of the Armenian-born writer, Vincent Hunanyan, and is a collection of poems dealing with loss, love, pain, happiness, depression and abandonment. "Black Book of Poems is a collection with a distinct sensibility that gives attention to a wide range of subjects while living up to its disdain for pretension."
Reviews
"Really enjoyed this work, Forgive me Lord, If I were standing at the gate."
"The poems are okay."
"Such an amazing read."
"Good book."
"Such a great little read!"
"loved it!"
"I enjoyed it."
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Best Canadian Poetry

The Sun and Her Flowers
this is the recipe of life said my mother. as she held me in her arms as i wept think of those flowers you plant. in the garden each year. they will teach you. that people too. must wilt. fall. root. rise. in order to bloom. "The Poet Who Touched a Nerve" (The Times (London)). "Rupi Kaur is a rock star."
Reviews
"I did not think she could equal Milk and Honey, but The Sun and Her Flowers has blown me away, and more than lived up to my expectations."
"Teen daughter asked for this, liked it so well we bought a second for a friend who left to college."
"My daughter, who is 17, has read and reread this book."
"She had read the author's other book, Milk and Honey."
"Love the honesty, the rythm, the heart of Rupi’s poetry."
"My daughter loves this author we preorder this book came right on time!"
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Best Australia & Oceania Poetry

Pillow Thoughts
Make a cup of tea and let yourself feel. In October 2016 she released the best-selling Poetry collection Pillow Thoughts .
Reviews
"2.5 Stars."
"I LOVE this book."
"This book has put so much into perspective for me."
"I love this book."
"REALLYYY puts me in my feels 😍😩."
"This book is amazing!!!"
"This book has really deep poems."
"Amazing book and came in great shape."
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Best Caribbean & Latin American Poetry

The Essential Neruda: Selected Poems (Bilingual Edition) (English and Spanish Edition)
An impressive group of translators that includes Alastair Reid, Stephen Mitchell, Robert Hass, Stephen Kessler and Jack Hirschman, have come together to revisit or completely retranslate the poems; and a handful of previously untranslated works are included as well. Winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1971, his breadth of vision and wide range of themes are extraordinary, and his work continues to inspire new generations of readers and writers.
Reviews
"Houghton Mifflin "Selected Poems" is much better IMO."
"EXCELLENT poems."
"Adds to my romantic side; spouse appreciates."
"HE writes about my lover."
"was i supposed to receive 4 copies?"
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