A review by nnecatrix
2017 Fifth Annual Battle of the Bards Poetry Contest: Winning Entries (Battle of the Bards, #5) by Belle Schmidt, Stina Branson, Alexis Reese, Suzanne Davies, Joan Hellmund, Poudre River Public Library District, Joseph Sterling, Emma Boice, Morgan Taylor, Amber Kranz, Gabrielle Nadig, Joanna Rago, Shelley Widhalm, Cameron Montague, Larry Pérez, Saige GriffisWest, Ryan Green, Nicole Dille, Dennis McDonald, Lesly Vargas, Mariah Reis, Audrey Moehring, Colin Christensen, Erik Rock, Tate Thurgood, Janessa Chenot, Dominique Chesson, Kristi Joy Buss, Diane McCrann

4.0

Full disclosure: I am a contributor to this collection, and my honorable mention poem appears on page 14. I hope you like it!

Book #19 for 2017
Personal Challenge Task: A book with a cat on the cover
The Legendary Book Club of Habitica's Ultimate Reading Challenge: A book with multiple authors
PopSugar Challenge Prompt: A book with multiple authors
Better World Books Challenge Task: A book of poetry
Read Harder Challenge Prompt: A book published by a micropress
Book Bingo Possible Squares:
- A book with multiple perspectives
- A book from the library
- A book with multiple authors

I was glad I could attend this year's awards event. It really makes a difference when you can hear the poets recite their works, even when they have a visual component.

I don't remember who actually won, but here are my top three picks in each division:
Adult:
"This Man, This Me" by Erik Rock
"The Other Eggs" by Morgan Taylor
"Phases of Our Dying Sun" by Erik Rock
Teen:
"Burning Ballet" by Emma Boice
"Before Dawn" by Gabrielle Nadig
"Glass" by Mariah Reis

This annual collection always boasts great variety and is nice if you're looking for a quick read. It's available for free download from the library's website.