Amanda Gorman is an inspiring American poet celebrated for her powerful spoken-word poetry. She gained global acclaim after reciting The Hill We Climb at the 2021 U.S. presidential inauguration and authored Call Us What We Carry.
If you enjoy reading books by Amanda Gorman then you might also like the following authors:
Maya Angelou is celebrated for poetry that reflects themes of strength, resilience, and empowerment, especially in the lives of Black women. Her clear language and honest stories connect deeply with readers. A standout piece is I Know
Why the Caged Bird Sings, a powerful memoir about overcoming adversity and finding one's voice in the midst of struggle.
Nikki Giovanni writes with passion and honesty about race, identity, and social justice. Her approachable, conversational style makes her poetry feel intimate and personal.
One notable collection is Love Poems, which brings warmth and depth to themes of family, relationships, and community.
Audre Lorde's poetry stands out for its honest exploration of identity, feminism, race, and sexuality. She writes with clarity and strength, challenging readers to see the world through a new lens.
Readers interested in her ideas can start with The Black Unicorn, a collection that blends directness and emotional depth in exploring women's experiences and struggles.
Langston Hughes is known for his vivid and direct poetry about the daily lives, dreams, and struggles of Black Americans. His accessible style and clear storytelling invite readers to listen and reflect.
One of his memorable works is The Weary Blues, a collection that beautifully captures the rhythm, joy, and heartache of Black life in America.
Joy Harjo crafts poetry that reflects her Indigenous heritage, celebrating nature, identity, and spiritual connections. Her language is vivid and strong, rooted deeply in tradition and current realities.
An American Sunrise is an excellent starting point for readers, offering heartfelt reflections on history, memory, and belonging in contemporary America.
Elizabeth Acevedo is a poet and novelist whose work is energetic, vivid, and emotionally honest. She builds powerful narratives reflecting themes of identity, culture, and empowerment, often drawing on her Dominican-American heritage.
Acevedo's novel in verse, The Poet X, beautifully portrays a teenager's journey of self-expression and resilience through poetry, making it a great choice for Amanda Gorman's readers.
Ocean Vuong writes poetry and fiction that explore family, immigration, and identity in deeply personal ways. His language is lyrical and emotionally resonant, creating haunting portraits of love, loss, and survival.
His poetry collection, Night Sky with Exit Wounds, gently examines war, displacement, and sexuality with remarkable beauty and vulnerability. Readers inspired by Amanda Gorman's emotional depth and imagery will connect strongly with Vuong's work.
Clint Smith thoughtfully explores race, history, and social justice through poems that speak directly to his readers in clear, vivid language.
His poetry collection, Counting Descent, engages readers by examining societal issues, personal history, and identity with sincerity and clarity. Smith's compassionate storytelling will resonate deeply with readers who value the powerful social voice in Amanda Gorman's poetry.
Rupi Kaur is a poet who speaks clearly and honestly, exploring love, trauma, healing, and womanhood. She favors concise, direct poems that feel intimate and relatable.
Her widely appreciated collection, Milk and Honey, uses simple yet powerful language focused on empowerment, self-acceptance, and resilience, echoing the hopeful and inspiring spirit readers find in Amanda Gorman's poetry.
Warsan Shire is a poetic voice known for sharp, evocative work addressing immigration, displacement, womanhood, and belonging. Her poems feel immediate and deeply personal, thoughtfully depicting struggles and resilience.
The collection Teaching My Mother How to Give Birth reveals her powerful voice, highlighting the courage and strength found in family and individual experience. Amanda Gorman fans will appreciate Shire's emotional honesty and lyrical impact.
Readers who appreciate Amanda Gorman's thoughtful exploration of identity, humanity, and hope may enjoy Tracy K. Smith. Smith writes poetry with clarity and depth, often reflecting on personal and universal experiences.
Her work combines emotional insight with vivid imagery, opening conversations in accessible and powerful ways. Her poetry collection, Life on Mars, beautifully examines love, loss, and our place in the universe.
Ada Limón writes poetry with sincerity and warmth, engaging readers through reflections on nature, relationships, and the human spirit. Her approachable style and emotional honesty resonate deeply with readers who connect with Amanda Gorman's hopeful voice.
Limón's collection The Carrying explores resilience, vulnerability, and the quiet courage of everyday life.
Jericho Brown crafts poetry that addresses challenging social issues with lyrical beauty and emotional clarity. Fans of Amanda Gorman will appreciate how Brown uses innovative forms and evocative language to connect personal narrative with broader cultural themes.
His collection The Tradition thoughtfully examines identity, race, violence, and the complexities of American life.
Yrsa Daley-Ward is a poet who speaks honestly and openly about mental health, identity, and the struggles and triumphs of life. Her concise yet emotionally impactful style resonates with readers who value Amanda Gorman's authentic, reflective voice.
Daley-Ward's collection, bone, powerfully expresses themes of self-discovery, healing, and resilience.
Morgan Parker writes poetry that vibrantly explores identity, race, feminism, and contemporary culture. Like Amanda Gorman, Parker communicates complex ideas through language that is direct, engaging, and full of rich imagery.
Her work energetically captures modern experiences with sharp wit and candid emotion, clearly demonstrated in her powerful collection Magical Negro.