I'm recommending some books by contemporaries who I respect and admire. For some really hard-hitting verse, Cat Scan Variations by Sam Levin. Sam's work is really gritty and challenging. For a more romantic view there's Attempting Possible Dreams by Virginia Muller. Ginny's work is varied and there's some great work here from a lady who isn't afraid to experiment. Catwalking by Victoria Foxx displays a great talent for observational and confessional verse. I have to include a couple of my own here. Both In Verse from the Baron and Family Values and Other Wars have received great critical acclaim and contain what I consider to be some of my best works.
About me: I'm an artaholic with five books of poetry published, I'm currently working on a fifth novel and I have exhibited my art and photography throughout the UK and in the Middle East.
A new atage project is also in the pipeline, Fianna, a mix of poetry, music, drama and dance.