The Poetry Book Society (PBS) is delighted to announce their exciting Winter 2025 Selections. Founded by T.S. Eliot to share the joy of poetry, the Poetry Book Society leads the way in championing inclusive and innovative poetries. Curated by a panel of expert-poets, Yomi Ṣode, Victoria Kennefick, Shivanee Ramlochan, Alycia Pirmohamed and Yousif M. Qasmiyeh, the PBS Selections are a highly sought-after accolade marking the very best in contemporary poetry.
The Winter 2025 PBS Choice is awarded to the first collection in a decade by T.S. Eliot prize winner Sarah Howe, Foretokens (Chatto), which delves into a complex inheritance of family, language, colonialism and trauma. The Winter PBS Recommendations include the much-anticipated debut collection Neon Manila by rising star Troy Cabida (Nine Arches Press), an exploration of the queer Filipino body; Something About Living by Lena Khalaf Tuffaha (The 87 Press), a powerful Palestinian diaspora voice; Jonah and Me by Poetry Ireland founder John F. Deane (Carcanet Press) and Maryville by Spoken Word sensation and T.S. Eliot Prize winner Joelle Taylor (Bloomsbury).
Special Commendation goes to Salena Godden’s With Love, Grief and Fury which PBS Selector Yomi Ṣode described as a timely “invitation to remember that whatever divides us, our humanity must never be forgotten”. You can hear readings from Sarah Howe, Joelle Taylor and Troy Cabida at the PBS Online Winter Showcase on 2nd December 7pm on Youtube.
The Poetry Book Society Selections remain a trusted compass for readers, booksellers and writers, navigating today’s poetry landscape. Every quarter the Poetry Book Society invites free online book submissions from all UK and Irish poetry publishers, big and small. Their expert poet-selectors choose the best new poetry books to deliver to members across the globe, alongside the PBS Bulletin. This vital quarterly magazine features exclusive poems, illuminating commentary and insightful reviews.
The Winter issue includes an exciting new reviewer partnership with The Young Poets Summit to give 12 talented young poets the opportunity to shine. Poetry Book Society members not only discover the exciting world of contemporary poetry but join a lively poetry community which actively supports poets and publishers.
WINTER 2025 SELECTIONS
CHOICE: Foretokens by Sarah Howe (Chatto)
RECOMMENDATIONS: Neon Manila by Troy Cabida (Nine Arches Press)
Jonah and Me by John F. Deane (Carcanet Press)
Something About Living by Lena Khalaf Tuffaha (The 87 Press)
Maryville by Joelle Taylor (Bloomsbury)
SPECIAL COMMENDATION: With Love, Grief and Fury by Salena Godden (Canongate)
TRANSLATION CHOICE: Goatsong, by Phoebe Giannisi, translated by Brian Sneeden (Fitzcarraldo)
PAMPHLET CHOICE: I Could Not Ask You To by Helena Fornells Nadal (Mouse Press)
KEY QUOTES
"Joining forces with the Poetry Book Society for the 2025 Summit season, the 12 talented poets whose reviews appear in this bulletin are a testament to what is possible when young poets are afforded the opportunity to shine" – Tolu Agbelusi, Young Poets Summit Producer
“After so long between books - sometimes I thought I might not make it to publishing another! This vote of confidence in my work means a great deal. Long may this vital organisation continue its good work.” – Sarah Howe, PBS Choice
“It's an absolute honour to have my debut collection as a Winter Recommendation for 2025, especially right after having my second pamphlet as the Pamphlet Choice for Spring in the same year. I feel very grateful for all of the recognition the Poetry Book Society has given my work thus far." – Troy Cabida, PBS Recommendation
“This is the first time any of my books have been selected by the PBS, and I'm very grateful to those who chose it. It's a real honour for Maryville to be thought of as a book people should read” – Joelle Taylor, PBS Recommendation
“It means the world to me to see this poetry in this collection supported and shared in this way. I am a huge fan of PBS. Thank you!”- Salena Godden, Special Commendation