USING WORDS TO HEAL: I’ve Been Fighting This War Within Myself Makes the HPPR Summer Reading List

Antonio Sanchez-Day’s posthumous poetry collection with Meadowlark Press, I’ve Been Fighting This War Within Myself, made it to the High Plains Public Radio Summer Reading List. Meadowlark’s own Emilie Moll explains why readers should choose the newly awarded Kansas Notable book to read in 2024.

Read the article here or listen to the audio at HPPR’s Radio Reader’s Book Club series!

I’m Emilie Moll, editorial assistant for Meadowlark Press, for the High Plains Public Radio Summer Reading List. Our small, independent press specializes in stories from the Midwest, and today I'll be talking about a Meadowlark Book, I’ve Been Fighting This War Within Myself, by Antonio Sanchez-Day.

    Antonio was a poet from Lawrence, KS who lived from 1974 to 2021. In his poetry, he shares his culture, the pain of rejection, the peace of belonging, the anguish of his regrets, and many lived experiences of serving two prison sentences and the events that led him there, all written in captivating verse. Published posthumously, this second poetry collection carries on Antonio’s legacy of using words to express and to heal.

    Recently awarded a Kansas Notable title, I’ve Been Fighting This War Within Myself gives a voice to a population whose experiences are deeply personal and, it seems, rarely represented in literature. The book is filled with photocopies of lined loose-leaf paper, marked with poems in Antonio’s handwriting, which reminded me the whole way through the book of how real, and from the not-so distant past all of this was.

    I thought to myself, as I was writing essays in school on lined paper, Antonio was writing lyrical rap songs, sharing how they make, quote-unquote, Jailhouse coffee, and fighting a violent battle with his own inner demons on the same type of paper. This poetry brought me closer to one point two million individuals – Americans incarcerated in the United States prison system, as of 2024. It gave me a reminder I did not know that I needed – that inmates are equally as human as those walking the streets, and are not to be shelved and forgotten, left without a voice after their final sentencing – and Antonio showed me how brave these voices can be.

    This poetry showed me a depth of pain and darkness I had not known before, and with the same wing, brought me back up to the light and taught me resiliency. Antonio seemed to tell me between these pages that, no matter what grave it seems you have found yourself in, you can make it out again.

    The first section of this collection is called, “Hometown: Trying to siphon out the love from the hate”. As I embarked on this journey with Antonio, I got the sense that he did just that with each poem he wrote. To me, it seemed that the venom on these pages was the pain that he wanted to leave behind, and by trapping it on the page, he might’ve walked away lighter. These poems are acts of transformation and reflection. They are breadcrumbs that take you through Antonio’s life. And they immortalize him, his choices, and his unique voice.

    Antonio built a community of writers around himself, both during and after he completed his sentence. It was during his sentence, as a student in the creative writing classes offered at the Douglas County Jail, that he met Brian Daldorph. Brian is a poet, Professor of English at the University of Kansas, and creative writing instructor at the Douglas County Jail, who curated this posthumous collection. Antonio regularly returned to the Douglas County Jail after his sentence, this time as an instructor to these classes. Brian has this to say about his experience with Antonio:

    “You are still with us, Antonio, in these words [...] and in the hearts of those who knew you and loved you for showing us the marvelous transformation you were able to make as you hauled yourself out from the quote, basement’s basement, end quote, to sit with judges and give them good advice, to tell us all how it is possible to move beyond trauma and to appreciate the simple joys of being alive.”

    I’ve Been Fighting This War Within Myself is available wherever you buy books. As a Kansas Notable book, be sure to encourage your loved ones, as well as librarians and teachers to put this on their shelves. Learn more about I’ve Been Fighting This War Within Myself, what we’re doing with the proceeds, and other Meadowlark titles at meadowlarkbookstore.com

    I am Emilie Moll for the High Plains Public Radio Readers Book Club’s Summer Reading List.

2024 Kansas Notable Books

We are delighted to announce that a Meadowlark poetry book has been named a 2024 Kansas Notable Book. 

The State Library of Kansas is proud to announce the 2024 Kansas Notable Books list. This year’s list of Kansas Notable Books continues the tradition of celebrating the rich stories and vibrant spirit of the state.

“The 2024 Kansas Notable Books list recognizes 15 books written by Kansans or about Kansas,” said Ray Walling, State Librarian. “ From historical figures like abolitionist James Montgomery, to the remarkably resilient residents of Udall, to people reflecting on grief and personal struggles through poetry, the authors introduce readers to a variety of Kansans. The selections also take readers on a geology field trip across the state, to Kansas City's Montgall Avenue, into a classroom as seen through the eyes of a child on the autism spectrum, inside a murder mystery, and beyond to other worlds. With something for everyone, I hope all Kansans will visit their local public library to check out these wonderful titles.”

Authors will be recognized and awarded medals by the State Librarian at the Kansas Book Festival Author Reception on September 27 at Washburn University. For more information on the event, visit kansasbookfestival.com.

Even though he was often vastly outnumbered by enemies on the outside and by demons on the inside, Antonio Sanchez-Day took on life. He fought against racism as a boy, fought against family troubles, and fought as a street soldier for his gang which was the “family” he’d always wanted. Then he had to fight simply to survive 13 years of incarceration. Inside the walls, Antonio found his main weapon, his pen. He wrote brilliantly, and with pen in hand, he turned his life around. The 123 pages of new, unpublished poetry in this book was put together by Antonio’s friend and mentor, Brian Daldorph, to “cement [his] legacy” (Antonio’s words).

Antonio died in March 2021, aged 44.

PRAISE

Sometimes I am lucky enough to encounter a poet who uses poetry as it should be—to reach within and challenge the demons, worship Mother Earth, scale back the lies and strip one of all deception and holler out the truth in beautiful verse in the way birds and oceans and trees speak themselves, reveal their true selves every minute of every day, and that’s what is so powerful in these poems, a sense that language is being used in a way that break shackles, honors beauty, endures sorrow, and keeps climbing, keeps digging, keeps in the hand what is meaningful and scared—he does this in this book. Antonio Sanchez-Day is one of those rare poets who makes language and song and poetry his magic, his brew to drink each morning before stepping into the world of feelings, visions, regret, vulnerability—no poet i have read delivers such clarity and honesty as does Mr. Sanchez-Day, he reckons and muses and renders his poetry to the readers with such beautiful candor and connection, making community that invites us in to embrace and honor him. You must read this book, give it as a gift to loved ones, recommend it to teachers, put it on reading lists, order it for your classes. It aligns poetry where it should be, front and center in the heart and mind, to awaken in us the reason why we live. An extraordinary talent!

—Jimmy Santiago Baca: American poet, American Book Award winner, author of many books including Healing Earthquakes, A Place to Stand, Working in the Dark: Reflections of a Poet of the Barrio

The State Library of Kansas Announces the 2022 Kansas Notable Books

 And we're on the list! Twice!

Ava is an American Avocet, a breed of shorebird who leaves her home at the Laguna Madre and travels 1,000 miles to stay for a season at the largest wetland complex in the interior of the United States. Cheyenne Bottoms, in the middle of Kansas, is home to millions of birds who stop during their annual migrations in the spring and fall, as well as a diverse population of wildlife who make a home there year-round. As Ava meets her mate and starts a family, readers are introduced to one of the most biodiverse ecosystems on the planet. Author: Mandy Kern. Illustrator: Onalee Nicklin

Brenda White’s verse resounds deeply, even in the dark places and in sentiments we Midwest working-class folk don’t often like to share. One might say she gives voice to the masses, her verse capturing the light and dark of those who dare to dream, even when we suspect our dreams might end in disappointment. Only a true poet can turn life’s harsh realities into line and stanza that move us to reflect, connect, and read again.

TOPEKA – This year’s list of Kansas Notable Books continues the tradition of celebrating the rich stories and culture of Kansas. 

 

“The 2022 Kansas Notable Books list recognizes 15 books written by Kansans or about Kansas,” said Ray Walling, Acting State Librarian.  “Through their work, the authors take readers on a journey through the wetlands of the Cheyenne Bottoms to the baseball fields of the Kansas City Monarchs.  Readers can be transported back in time to the 1887 election in Argonia or to the epic battle of twin sisters enabled with superpowers facing a sinister force. This year’s titles include something for everyone.  I hope all Kansans will visit their local public library to check out these wonderful titles.”

 

Each year, the Kansas Notable Books list features 15 books, published during the previous calendar year, which are about or set in Kansas, or written by a Kansas author. This year’s selection committee includes representatives of public, university, and school libraries, teachers, academics, and writers. 

 

Kansas Notable Books authors will be awarded their medals at the Kansas Book Festival on September 24 at Washburn University. The public is invited.

 

Kansas Notable Books is a project of the Kansas Center for the Book, a program at the State Library of

Kansas which is the state affiliate of the Library of Congress Center for the Book. The mission of the Kansas Center for the Book is to highlight the state’s literary heritage and foster an interest in books, reading, and libraries.

 

For more information or questions about Kansas Notable Books program, visit kslib.info/notablebooks or contact the State Library of Kansas at 785-296-3296 or email infodesk@ks.gov.

 

2022 Kansas Notable Books

 

Ava: A Year of Adventure in the Life of an American Avocet by Mandy Kern (Great Bend), illustrated by Onalee Nicklin (Emporia), Meadowlark Press

 

Blue Collar Saint: Poems by Brenda Leigh White (Emporia), Meadowlark Press

 

Field Journal: Volume XIII, 2021, The Santa Fe Trail by Symphony in the Flint Hills (Cottonwood Falls)

 

From This Moment: A Novel by Kim Vogel Sawyer (Hutchinson), Waterbrook

 

The Greatest Thing: A Story About Buck O'Neil by Kristy Nerstheimer (Overland Park), illustrated by Christian Paniagua, (Queens, NY) The Little Fig

 

Haven’s Secret (The Powers Book 1) by Melissa Benoist, Jessica Benoist (Council Grove), Mariko Tamaki, Abrams Books

 

How to Resist Amazon and Why by Danny Caine (Lawrence), Microcosm Publishing

 

Killing Dragons: Order of the Dolphin by Kristie Clark (Jetmore), Delphi Imprint

 

Mad Prairie: Stories and a Novella by Kate McIntyre (Worcester MA), University of Georgia Press

 

Policing Sex in the Sunflower State: The Story of the Kansas State Industrial Farm for Women by Nicole Perry (Lawrence), University Press of Kansas

 

Running Out: In Search of Water on the High Plains by Lucas Bessire (Norman OK), Princeton University Press

 

Stormbreak: A Seafire Novel by Natalie C. Parker (Lawrence), Razorbill

 

A Vote for Susanna: The First Woman Mayor by Karen M. Greenwald (Rockville MD), illustrated  by Sian James (Cambridge UK), Albert Whitman & Co.

 

White Hot Hate: A True Story of Domestic Terrorism in America's Heartland by Dick Lehr (Belmont MA), Mariner Books

 

Words Is a Powerful Thing: Twenty Years of Teaching Creative Writing at Douglas County Jail by Brian Daldorph (Lawrence), University Press of Kansas

 

For more information about the State Library of Kansas, please visit https://kslib.info.

 

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Wednesday Excerpt: A Second Bookiversary

• Author, Edna Bell-Pearson
• Meadowlark - July 2019
• ISBN: 978-1-7322410-6-0

It's hard to believe it has been two years since the publication of Headwinds, a memoir by Edna Bell-Pearson. 

Today we are re-sharing an interview with Edna that was written by our publicist, Linzi Garcia, and first published in the Emporia Gazette.

Headwinds is a 2020 Kansas Notable book.

---

Local independent press Meadowlark Books and Kansas author Edna Bell-Pearson are celebrating their spots on the 2020 Kansas Notable Books list for Bell-Pearson’s memoir “Headwinds.”

“When World War II makes her way to southwest Kansas, Edna Bell-Pearson’s life is forever changed,” the book description reads. “After meeting the man who is to become her husband — a pilot stationed in her hometown of Liberal — Edna moves to the opposite corner of the state. She is instrumental in starting what will become the Marysville Municipal Airport.”

What are you reading this weekend?

Tracy reading with
her dog, Rory.

Tracy is reading Birds, Bones, and Beetles, by Chuck Warner, another Kansas Notable Book for 2020. 

Tracy says: "I was only on chapter four when I began recommending people read this book. Not just recommending, I was gushing! You are going to love this book if you ever spent a moment as a child traipsing across pastures, collecting specimens for your own naturalist collection. You are going to love this book if you have an affinity for Lawrence and the university. You are going to love this book if you appreciate Kansas history, in general, and want to add to your arsenal of information. Starting with the prologue, I was in love with this book."

***

Linzi is reading The P.E.A.C.E. Process: Taking the Crazy Out of Youth Sports manuscript by former coach and first-time author Rick Keltner.

Linzi says: "This manuscript has great insight into what it means to be a part of youth sports activities, as well as step-by-step advice about how to make the activity better for everyone involved. Coming from the perspective of a 42-year career youth sports coach, there are humorous and outrageous anecdotes about taking youth sports (at least a little) too seriously and how we can avoid those situations in the future. Keltner has a clear and captivating ability to speak to the parents, the players, and the coaches about what it means to truly enjoy what youth sports have to offer when we approach them with a healthy attitude, mature communication, and a good sense of FUN!

Linzi enjoying a drink
and some good reading 
at Mulready's Pub.

What are you reading this weekend?

What are you reading this weekend?

Happy Friday! As some of us wrap up the work week and others begin a new one, let's take a moment to sit quietly with a good book -- ahh, a little escape from our own reality and a portal into our protagonists' realities.

Publisher Tracy Million Simmons is making her way through the Kansas Notable Books and is currently reading The Topeka School by Ben Lerner. "This is a great time of year for Kansas readers!" she said. (Dobby agrees.)

Tracy and Dobby in their happy place.

Publicist Linzi Garcia loves to start and finish her week of teaching by reading Meadowlark books in her quiet office. Today, she's neck-deep in the mystery of Opulence, Kansas by Julie Stielstra. This weekend, she'll spend time with Headwinds by Edna Bell-Pearson, The Big Quiet by Lisa D. Stewart, and Valentine by Ruth Maus. "I love where these narrators -- fictional and real -- take me," she said. "I'm always on an adventure."

Linzi is always surrounded by books -- complete and in progress.

What and where are you reading this weekend? Do you read one book at a time, or are there multiple books on your nightstand? Books in the car? In the bathroom? Wherever you may be, we hope you enjoy your reading time!

Headwinds, a 2020 Kansas Notable Book

July 15, 2020, Topeka, Kansas: State Librarian Eric Norris announced today the 15th annual selection of Kansas Notable Books. The fifteen books feature quality titles with wide public appeal, written either by a Kansan, set in Kansas, or about a Kansas related topic.

“I am proud to present the 2020 Kansas Notable Book list. This year’s list covers a wide swath of our cultural and natural history,” said Eric Norris, State Librarian. “The rich array of works on this year’s list examine petroglyphs across the prairie and go on fantastical high seas adventures with pirates; explore the careers of academics, athletes, and aviators; and consider the importance of family from the viewpoint of a young Exoduster in the 1880s and as a world traveler in a present day small western Kansas town. This year’s list will both educate and entertain. I encourage every Kansan to contact their local public library and celebrate the artists and artistry of Kansas.”

A committee of librarians, academics, and historians nominated titles from a list of eligible books, and state librarian Eric Norris selected the final list. In 2006, the first Kansas Notable Books list was announced. Since then more than 200 books have been recognized for their contribution to Kansas literary heritage.

Kansas Notable Books is a project of the Kansas Center for the Book. The Kansas Center for the Book is a program at the State Library of Kansas and the state affiliate of the Library of Congress Center for the Book. The Kansas Center for the Book exists to highlight the state’s literary heritage and foster an interest in books, reading, and libraries.

• Author, Edna Bell-Pearson
• Meadowlark - July 2019
• ISBN: 978-1-7322410-6-0

• Meadowlark Bookstore
• Order through your Favorite Local Indie
• Amazon - paperback & kindle
• Barnes & Noble - paperback & Nook
• all ebook formats available at Smashwords