The Missouri Review

While poetry readers should check out Kevin Larimer’s feature on debut poetry collections, “Finishing the First: A Dozen Poets Who Sealed the Deal in 2006,” in the Nov/Dec issue of Poets & Writers, his diplomatic list, by default, neglects many other knockout first books.  Here are a dozen more first-timers from 2006 to look for:

• Brian Barker, The Animal Gospels (Tupelo Press)
• Deborah Bernhardt, Echolalia (Four Way Books)
• Rebecca Dunham, The Miniature Room (Truman State University Press)
• Karen Garthe, Frayed Escort (CSU: Center for Literary Publishing)
• Matt Hart, Who’s Who Vivid (Slope Editions)
• Rick Hilles, Brother Salvage (U. of Pittsburgh Press)
• Amaud Jamaul Johnson, Red Summer (Tupelo Press)
• Karla Kelsey, Knowledge, Forms, the Aviary (Ahsahta Press)
• Nadine Sabra Meyer, The Anatomy Theater (Harper Perennial)
• Wayne Miller, Only the Senses Sleep (New Issues)
• David Roderick, Blue Colonial (APR/Copper Canyon Press)
• S.A. Stepanek, Three, Breathing (Wave Books)