Welcome back to The Book Bag. I hope you’ve had a poetic week.

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Well I’ve been mega busy since I last caught up up with you.

I had an interview at work for a permanent position in another team. And guess what… I got it. The competition was tough and I thought I was nerve free – then the nerves hit at a minute before the interview started. So happy I prepared, it was a massive help.

Mrs S & I celebrated our 16th wedding anniversary with a few nights away in Harrogate. We visited RHS Harlow Carr and had a look around the library there. The poetry section was limited but I did read Dwell by Simon Armitage. Insect Hotel is a riot of a poem. We also spent time recharging.

The allotment is now in full flourish and we’ve been harvesting some of the ready produce including broad beans, garlic, herbs and onions. We used some to make a Chimichurri sauce to have with meat, fish and veggies and also made a broad bean hummus to dip into.

Poetry-wise I hosted another Book Bag Open Mic where the standard was remarkable. I’ve also attended a Black Bough open mic, blurbed for some excellent poets and I’ve been writing and working on some new projects. Also on Thursday it was another Write Here, Right Now. I have a poem that is almost finished. I’ve also got a couple of projects on the go, one of which was announced on social media on Saturday.

On top of that, I’ve been reading;

The Lives We Had Before

• Poet: Vanessa Napolitano
• Press: Stanchion Press

I have been a fan of Vanessa’s work since I first saw a piece shared on social media when I was making my first foray into poetry. I also heard her read and was inspired by the relatable, accessible and authentic nature of her poetry. I also attended a workshop she hosted earlier this year which game me a couple of great poems. Vanessa is a supportive and incredible member of the poetry community with tremendous talent.

Authenticity is one of Vanessa’s greatest powers as a poet. The pieces ‘Navigating’ (one of my favourites) and ‘7:04 To Manchester’  are vivid and immediately recognisable.

The emotional connection in the poems dealing with relationships including ‘Grandad’, ‘For Your Horse To Come In’ and ‘Man In The Leather Hat’ made me pause and take stock after reading. The poems where Vanessa directly addresses her father are exceptionally moving through conversational use.

Vanessa’s sense of fun is apparent throughout the book. ‘Escargot’ (another of my favourites) is a deliciously humorous piece. The poem ‘Mix Tape, 1997’ (another of my favourites) is super and made me smile.

There is also a palpable danger in some of the pieces in the book. ‘A List Exercise’, and ‘We Let the Wolf Hunt in The Local Woods,’ are two key examples containing menace. I read both aloud and the amplification compared to reading in my head made me more uncomfortable.

This book will appeal to poetics who appreciate work grounded in reality. The collection is accessible and relatable and those readers who want a genuine emotional connection will feel right at home in the pages of this book. A treat of a collection to welcome back The Book Bag. You should buy a copy, it’s fantastic.

Favourite Poem:

I’ve already mentioned ‘Navigating’, ‘Escargot’ and ‘Mix Tape, 1997’   so I’ll add another eight here. ‘Moorwalk’, ‘Creeper’, ‘Birthday Poem’, ‘Your Goth Garden’, ‘Pork Chop’, The Tasting Menu’, ‘Corking’ and ‘The Lives We Had Before’.

Learn more about Vanessa here.

Buy The Lives We Had Before here.

This week’s playlist is a blend of genres, with some of the songs named in the collection too;

Kate Bush – Running Up That Hill
Taylor Swift – Lover
Embrace – Gravity
The Stan Tracey Quartet – Under Milk Wood
Emma-Jean Thackray featuring Wiki – Golden Green
Kaiser Chiefs – Ruby
Courtney Pine – I’m Still Waiting
Florence & The Machine – What The Water Gave Me
Bob Dylan – Tangled Up In Blue
Gordon Lightfoot – Sundown

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Before I Go…
Tickets are available for The Book Bag Open Mic Session 6. Sunday 26^th July, 7-9pm. Get them while you can here.

One More Thing…
Have you caught up with this month’s Book Bag Poetic Voices feature? Echoes from the first year of this feature, it includes my favourites from the series. Read it here.

And Another…
Are you a Short Story writer looking for a great competition to enter? Frazzled Lit’s 2026 Short Story Award is currently open with the formidable Donal Ryan. Closing date is 30^th June. Full details here.

And Finally…
On 11^th July, Rachel Turney of Poetry (in Brief) and recent Poetic Voice is hosting the online launch of the inaugural issue. Check out EVENTS — TURNEY TALKS for details.

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Next Week’s Read

• Title: Coin Laundry At Midnight
• Poet: Carson Wolfe

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Take it easy and stay poetic, I’ll catch you next week.

Paul