5 Poetry Audiobooks to Help You Embrace Autumn

There’s a chill in the air, your morning coffee tastes sweeter, and you’re diving into the possibilities of learning something new—that’s right, fall has finally arrived. On these crisp mornings where you curl up at an open window, go for a walk, or start off on your morning commute, listening to poetry audiobooks can be the perfect way to amplify these cozy fall vibes. With their sense of sound play, rhythm, voice, and more, these collections are ready to be the soundtrack for your season. 

A Poetry Handbook by Mary Oliver

If fall makes you think of the beginning of the school year, lean into the knowledge, newness, and sense of self-improvement by learning some poetry tips from one of the genre’s best and most unforgettable voices and teachers. Mary Oliver’s classic A Poetry Handbook is a deep-dive into how to write poetry that’s profound, image-centric, and full of rich language. Beyond this, it encapsulates one of Oliver’s most vital lessons—that poetry is a part of our everyday experiences, not something that we have to search or strive for. 

Poetry as Spellcasting by Tamiko Beyer, Destiny Hemphill, and Lisbeth White

For many people, fall brings the witchy vibes, and the poems, essays, and prompts in Poetry as Spellcasting are a look at all of the ways poetry can indulge your spooky and spiritual impulses. Listening to this audiobook will give you all the fascinating context on how poetry has always been a part of these traditions. Plus, opting for the audiobook version of this popular release makes the spells come alive even more, as you can hear them spring forth from the page like the active incantations they are. 

Poetry for Thinkers & Feelers by Melody Godfred

Does fall have you wanting to curl up alone and reflect? Melody Godfred’s emotional and impactful Poetry for Thinkers & Feelers meets you in this space. Written in the midst of a journey back to herself, Poetry for Thinkers & Feelers is Godfred’s empathic love letter for anyone wanting to shut out the noise of the outside world and connect with their innermost selves. Whether you’re looking to recharge or reawaken, press play on Poetry for Thinkers & Feelers—which can also be used as a meditation. 

There’s Always This Year: On Basketball and Ascension by Hanif Abdurraqib

While fall can mark a chance to slow down, it can also be an active and bustling season,especially for athletes. If this season makes you think of feet pounding on a track or squeaking against a gymnasium floor, this audiobook recording of Hanif Abdurraqib’s highly anticipated There’s Always This Year: On Basketball and Ascension taps into those feelings as well as the unifying, communal experience of fandom. Abqurraqib’s narration style reflects the thrilling and unstoppable highs and lows of a sports season. 

Madness, Rack, and Honey by Mary Ruefle

What is madness? What is creativity? What is poetry itself? Award-winning poet Mary Ruefle’s collection Madness, Rack, and Honey zooms out to examine the answers to these big, timeless ideas. If fall makes you want to philosophize and consider the overall picture, this collection will help you do it. Though the collection expands to consider these large questions, it also narrows in on everyday details and how our own lives are part of a larger poetry tradition. 

Curious how listening to poetry audiobooks compares with reading a physical copy of a collection? Check out our deep-dive of the benefits of listening to poetry audiobooks.