Yes, it is that time of year again, friends….the time of ‘best of’ lists and holiday buying hives. Ok, maybe that’s not you, but you really, really want to impress that super hot poet that lives down the hall or maybe deigns to talk to you in the Starbucks line you happen to keep timing just right so as to consistently run into him/her.
Or maybe, you are married to one of these poethead monsters. Or gasp! You are one of those word-flingers.
Sexy-Christmas-Elf-me can practically guarantee to get you a good snog under the mistletoe, if you will wrap up a few of these (mostly) 2014 collections.
From AHSAHTA PRESS
Forty-One Jane Doe’s
This is actually a Spring 2013 release that made it into my basket early this year, but boy am I glad that it did. Combining a print book with a DVD of short films, this combo from Carrie Olivia Adams (better known as poetry editor for Black Ocean) is definitely a keeper.
Love this tagline: “A woman knows her body . . . until it is exploded into a multitude of Janes.”
from ALICE JAMES
Mad Honey Symposium
Sally Wen Mao‘s May-released debut stunner. Feast your eyes on lines from “Apiology, with Stigma” HERE
I Know! Your eyes are totally blown out of your head.
Moving on to 2 Titles from COPPER CANYON
Debt to the Bone-Eating Snotflower
Sarah Lindsay delves into skeleton-eating worms, sweet potato and squid with brief jaunts to Iraq
Read “The Leviathan of Parsonstown” here
Sun-Bear
also from Copper Canyon
Matthew Zapruder‘s 4th collection, another zinger from one of Cali’s hottest poets
Check out “Poem for Plutocrats”
and don’t forget my go-to press DANCING GIRL bringing us…
Mule-Skinner by
Kelly Andrews, coeditor of Pretty Owl Poetry/economic journalist, delivering a kick-ass first chapbook plus she loves cats. What’s not to like?
Read a sample poem at the purchase link above.
And from (The) EMMA PRESS, one of the cooolest small presses in the UK…
Rivers Wanted
Rachel Piercey’s 2nd pub with EP, but her first full-length pamphlet, bringing every bit of her gobsmacking wit and charm to a head.
Check out the great write-up from Sabotage Reviews here.
from GRAYWOLF PRESS
The Overhaul
Ok, a bit of a cheat. This is forthcoming Feb. 2015, but I just love the Scottish hell out of Kathleen Jamie and couldn’t help but put this up even without a pre-order button. Why is there no pre-order button?
Oh well, buy this as soon as it’s out.
then there is this ball-buster from HANGING LOOSE PRESS
What I’ve Stolen, What I’ve Earned
Sherman Alexie is hands-down the baddest NDN around with multi-genre superpowers, and I basically want to be him when I grow up, only better-looking in a dress, which should be red with imitation feathers.
from HAPPENSTANCE 
(another small press from across the pond)
Starlight on Water and Plot and Counter-Plot
These pamphlets are actually from 2003 and 2010, but I’ve only just discovered Helena Nelson through performance circles, so bear with me.
Both of these babies rock the cover art and feature marvellous poems.
from LAVENDER INK/DIALOGOS 
The Light That Shines Inside Us
Marguerite Guzman Bouvard‘s poems so good they should have their own shrine. And I am I totally not just saying that because this is like my favorite NOLA based press. Who Dat, Y’all!!
from LSU PRESS (Purple and Gold, Baby)
The Cabinetmaker’s Window from the sexy poet-carpenter who is
all over the Southern lit magazines. Love me some Steven Scafidi.
Read “To Whoever Set My Truck on Fire” at How a Poem Happens and see. See!
Now buy the book and
also snap up 
Figure Studies by
Claudia Emerson
which pairs really well with Forty-One Jane Doe’s from above [top of the list]
then again, you can’t really go wrong with most of the Southern Messenger Poets series
same goes for Ewa Chrusciel, whose latest from OMNIDAWN
contraband of hoopoe has just the right mix of art and ritual to make you want to do research and never stop traveling even if it’s all just in your mind
well, that doesn’t really do her justice. just pick up the book and work your way into her genius.
RED HEN also has a stunner with its 2013 Winner of the inaugural Letras Latinas/Red Hen Poetry Prize
Speaking Wiri Wiri 
by Dan Vera
is good, good, good stuff
Hear him read here. Funny, charming. Brave experimenter with language.
[Dude, I know it was on Split This Rock’s recommended list from last year, but I just got it…so now I’m telling you it’s good. LOL]
from SALMON POETRY
Commonplace Invasions by
Jo Pitkin, is a must-have. She has been accused of “bewitching” her readers, but in the best possible way. 🙂
Everything out of Salmon Poetry is top-notch.
and from UNICORN PRESS 
Thoughts to Fold Into Birds by
Julie Funderburk
“grounded in the coastal carolina’s wind, sun, and sea”
ahhhhhhhhhhhh. small press goodness from NC.
Also, you’ll look really, really smart if you buy and then read….
The Title of the Poem by
Anne Ferry
Seriously, though, this will open up a whole new world. Trust me!!!!
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