Poets selected for the KC Star top 100 books include Julianne Buchsbaum, Heid Erdrich, Jack Gilbert, Lucille Clifton, Albert Goldbarth, Hadara Bar-Nadav, Natasha Trethewey, and Mary Jo Bang (translation of Dante's
Inferno). Poets with nonfiction books that are in the list are Kevin Young (
The Grey Album) and Gerald Stern (
Stealing History).
I was honored to be one of 17 curators for this "best-of" list, edited by Steve Paul of the KC Star. You will see the KC-area and national perspectives represented in fiction, non-fiction, mystery, poetry, and young readers. See more details:
http://www.kansascity.com/2012/11/29/v-print/3940050/the-stars-top-100-books-of-2012.html
My
poetry column "On Poetry" for the Kansas City Star is posted online today: “Collections
by four female poets touch on cultural identity, nature and myth”
I was inspired by the success of women writers, including new books by Natasha Trethewey (U.S. Poet Laureate), Mary Oliver (why
does she keep selling so well!), Louise Gluck (mythic lyricist) and Rain Gomez
(Creole-Choctaw cook and poet). The review begins: 
“The beginning of 2013 brings 'best-of' lists and also a
celebration of women’s achievements as writers. The year’s first issue of Poets & Writers magazine notes women
as winners of 56 percent of 2012 book prizes. Recent books show how poetry is
indeed women’s work and how they excel.” Read more here: http://www.kansascity.com/2013/01/18/4016097/a-chorus-of-female-voices.html#storylink=cpy
