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

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.