Let the Poets Govern
Camonghne Felix has written speeches for political candidates and poetry that made the National Book Award longlist, so she’s well placed to ask what poets could teach politics. Let the Poets Govern blends memoir, literary analysis, and political criticism. It moves from her years on campaigns to a childhood spent at court with her lawyer mother and at protests with her father, and on to Black radical thinkers from Gwendolyn Brooks to Audre Lorde. At 192 pages, it’s a short book with a big argument, and a Nonfiction finalist. For anyone tired of politics as usual.
Publisher’s description at Penguin Random House. Finalist status from the National Book Foundation.
Felix’s poetry collection Build Yourself a Boat was longlisted for the National Book Award in Poetry. Let the Poets Govern is a 2026 finalist for Nonfiction. Winners are announced November 18.
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