The world can be a beautiful, terrifying, and often inexplicable place. Poetry, in its capacity to capture the nuances of human experience, offers a potent lens through which to grapple with these complexities. This August, a diverse range of poets offer new collections that invite us to confront the strangeness and terror within ourselves and the world around us.

1.”The Body Keeps the Score” by Bessel van der Kolk (Poetry)

While best known for his groundbreaking work on trauma, van der Kolk delves into the poetic realm with this collection, exploring the enduring impact of trauma on the human psyche. Expect raw honesty, deeply personal reflections, and a language that speaks to the visceral experience of pain and healing.

2. “The Wasteland” by T.S. Eliot (Remastered Edition)

This classic of modernist poetry, first published in 1922, continues to resonate with its powerful imagery of a world ravaged by war and disillusionment. This remastered edition offers a fresh perspective on Eliot’s masterpiece, highlighting its relevance to the anxieties of our own time.

3. “The Animals in That Country” by Laura Jean McKay (Fiction)

This unsettling novel, told through the perspective of a woman grappling with the aftermath of an environmental catastrophe, blurs the lines between reality and nightmare. McKay’s prose is poetic, sharp, and unsettling, capturing the anxieties of a world facing ecological collapse.

4. “The Collected Poems of Sylvia Plath” (New Edition)

This comprehensive collection of Plath’s work offers a chance to revisit her powerful, confessional poems. Plath’s exploration of mental illness, the complexities of womanhood, and the search for meaning in a chaotic world remains as powerful and relevant today as it was in her own time.

5. “The Ocean at the End of the Lane” by Neil Gaiman (Fiction)

This captivating novel blends elements of fantasy and horror to explore themes of childhood innocence, the power of memory, and the enduring presence of the uncanny. Gaiman‘s masterful storytelling draws the reader into a world of wonder and fear, leaving a lasting impression.

6. “The Dream of a Common Language” by Adrienne Rich (Reissued)

Rich’s collection is a cornerstone of feminist poetry, exploring themes of gender, sexuality, and social justice. This reissued edition allows us to revisit her powerful voice and re-examine her timeless messages of resistance and hope.

7. “The Unseen World” by Maya Angelou (Nonfiction)

This collection of essays reflects Angelou’s keen observations of the human condition, from her childhood experiences to her thoughts on race, gender, and the pursuit of freedom. Angelou’s words are imbued with wisdom, humor, and a deep understanding of the complexities of life.

This August, delve into the poetry that confronts the unsettling reality of the world and within ourselves. Explore the strange terror that exists, not to be consumed by it, but to understand it, to navigate it, and ultimately, to find meaning within it.