James Douglas Morrison
The first poet who introduced me into the world of poetry and music. I typed out his poems in typing class, and learned more from those poems than from the teacher. A true poet who uses imagery and reality with precision. What you are taught in school is not all there is…
Anne Sexton
“Picking up Anne Sexton’s poetry book at the age of 19 at a second hand bookstore was the best purchase of my life. I had never read anyone like her before; I reread this book so often it has ripped. Sexton’s words strike me every time I read her; without a doubt, Sexton is definitely my favorite poet of all time. I can feel her words inside me, I can only aspire to be even one iota of the the poet she was.
Sylvia Plath
The way Sylvia Plath weaves words and combines imagery has never been done before. I am in awe of every word she writes. Her poems and her journals are journeys into a brilliant mind. Plath can bring out the details of a mundane wall and make it sound exciting. I am still reading her journals slowly and appreciatively, like a fine wine.
Virginia Woolf
The main reason I write novels, is to get into my own Lighthouse. Her stream of consciousness and narrative voice keeps inspiring and astounding me ever since my university days. I have never read a writer that can show and not tell like Woolf has done in her novels. She is one of the most important modernist authors in the 20th century. TO THE LIGHTHOUSE is a must read.
Henry Miller
Henry Miller does it his way, he breaks all the rules, he is a deep thinker, a lover, and the epitome of a true writer. His sentences make my heart swoon. Even the dirty ones. His letters to Anais Nin, and hers to him, are epic. She would be my 6th favorite. In essence, the list is never ending. I just finished reading NEXUS on the beach in Crete, and quite honestly I can’t believe it took me so long to read it. A classic American novel that should be read by every writer in the midst of writing.
Christina Strigas is a Canadian poet, raised by Greek immigrants, and has written three poetry books. Her latest, Love & Vodka, has been featured by CBC Books in, “Your Ultimate Canadian Poetry List: 68 Poetry Collections Recommended by you.” She is currently working on her fourth upcoming poetry book, Love & Metaxa. In her spare time, Christina enjoys foreign cinema, reading the classics, and cooking traditional Greek recipes that have been handed down from her grandmother.