Best British & Irish Poetry Books of 2025

Pillow Thoughts by Courtney Peppernell is a collection of poetry and prose that delves into the themes of heartbreak, love, and raw emotions. The book is divided into sections that can be read whenever you feel the need to connect with your feelings. The author's writing style is simple and evocative, making it easy for readers to relate to the emotions expressed in her work. The book has achieved international success since its launch in 2017, with more than a million copies sold. Overall, Pillow Thoughts is a poignant and heartfelt collection of poetry that is perfect for anyone looking to explore their emotions and feelings in a meaningful way.

Loss: Poems to better weather the many waves of grief is a collection of poems that offers comfort, peace, and acceptance to those who have lost someone. Donna Ashworth's writing provides a glimpse of light in the darkest moments, reassuring readers that they are not alone. Her words are like a hug from a wise friend, according to actress Samia Longchambon. The book has been well-received, with Donna's work featured in over a hundred magazines and blogs. Overall, this book is a must-read for anyone dealing with grief and loss.

I Wish I Knew: Poems to Soothe Your Soul & Strengthen Your Spirit by Donna Ashworth is a beautiful collection of poetry that serves as a guide to navigate through the ups and downs of life. This book is a must-read for those looking for inspiration and comfort in their daily lives. With each poem, Ashworth provides honest lessons learned from rock bottom, helping readers find courage in chaos and rise to every challenge. What makes this book unique is how it sparks joy, surprise, and gratitude on each page, leaving readers feeling uplifted and empowered.

This book, titled "Life: Poems to help navigate life’s many twists & turns," is a collection of 135 poems that address various issues such as ageing, mental health, and body image. Donna Ashworth, the author, has a talent for putting into words what we all feel and her work is celebrated by a huge online following. Her poems have gone viral and been viewed millions of times. This book is a little corner of calm within life's storm, offering comfort, compassion, and wisdom on every page. It encourages readers to resist invisibility and embrace becoming bold. Overall, this is a much-needed book that will empower and lift readers to engage with the present and be comfortable in their own skin.

The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Leather-bound Classics) is a must-have for any literature lover. This edition includes all of Shakespeare's plays and poems in an elegant, leather-bound keepsake edition. The timeless characters and themes of his works still fascinate readers today, and this edition is perfect for both Shakespeare devotees and those new to his writing. The book also includes a scholarly introduction that provides additional context and insight into the poems and plays. The special enhancements such as the ribbon bookmark and specially designed end papers make it the perfect gift for any lover of literature.

Paradise Lost by John Milton is an epic poem that explores the moral and spiritual origins of humanity. Milton's portrayal of Satan and Adam and Eve creates an intensely human tragedy on the Fall of Man. This edition from Penguin Classics provides authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, making it an excellent resource for teachers and students. The book's apparent ambivalence towards authority has led to intense debate, but it remains a landmark edition that gives readers fresh perception of Milton's work.

Watering the Soul by Courtney Peppernell is a book of poetry and prose that encourages personal growth through forgiveness, gratitude, togetherness, and equality. Divided into sections that follow a step-by-step recipe, the book is a timeless reminder that everyone needs time, love, and forgiveness to heal their soul. Peppernell takes readers on a journey to find a precious yet profound understanding that a seed is not grown with haste, and becoming whole takes time. The book is a must-read for those who seek inspiration and personal growth.

The Canterbury Tales, translated by Nevill Coghill, is a collection of chivalric romances, moral allegories, and low farce, all wrapped up in a story-telling competition between a group of pilgrims from different walks of life. The tales range from courtly love to ribald anecdotes, offering an unrivaled glimpse into medieval England. Coghill’s modern English verse translation does justice to Chaucer’s Middle English, making this classic work accessible to modern readers. Overall, The Canterbury Tales is a must-read for anyone interested in English literature and history.

The book "Beowulf: A New Verse Translation (Bilingual Edition)" is a masterpiece by Nobel laureate Seamus Heaney. The story is about Beowulf, a Scandinavian hero who saves the Danes from a monster named Grendel and his mother, and then fights a dragon in old age. Heaney's translation captures the somber grandeur and mythic vigor of the Anglo-Saxon original while reflecting the rhythm and timbre of the English we speak today. The book is both dignified and sophisticated, making previous versions look slightly flowery and antiquated. This translation is an excellent read and a true representation of the first great poem to be written in the English language.

The Lost Spells is a beautiful collection of poems and illustrations that captivates readers with the magic of nature. The book is a follow-up to the best-selling book, The Lost Words, and continues to rekindle the love for nature in both children and adults. The spell-poems by Robert Macfarlane and watercolour illustrations by Jackie Morris create a musical and magical experience. The Lost Spells is an enchanting book that reminds readers of the importance of nature and how it can slip away if we don't cherish it. Highly recommended for nature lovers and those who claim not to like poetry.