Love Sick Century by Elly Bookman

Credit: Indiana University Press

On this episode of Narrative Edge, hosts Peter Biello and Orlando Montoya dive into the poetry collection Love Sick Century by Atlanta writer Elly Bookman. With warmth and humor, they explore how Bookman uses vivid contrasts—like war and grocery shopping, loneliness and independence, cosmic collisions and everyday chores—to make sense of a complicated world.

Bookman, who teaches middle school writing and literature, draws on her background and daily news reading to inspire poems that are at once timely and timeless. Peter and Orlando unpack the collection’s three-part structure, highlighting how each section shifts from broad emotional themes to more personal and specific experiences. The author read aloud several of her poems, including one that contrasts the chaos of world events with the calm of picking out frozen pizza, and another that reflects on the quiet strength of living alone.

Throughout the episode, the hosts reflect on the power of poetry to offer both clarity and comfort. Whether it’s through a well-placed metaphor or an unexpected moment of beauty, Bookman’s poems encourage us to pause, reflect, and hold space for both joy and sorrow.

This episode is perfect for anyone curious about how poetry can speak to modern life, especially in times when the world feels overwhelming. It’s a reminder that even in difficult moments, art can help us feel a little less alone.