Reading challenge - what would you read from these categories?

[Dragonlette]

I'm doing a reading challenge (the magic square from the Book Vipers Goodreads group if anyone else is on there) and have 4 more books to read before the end of the year, and I need some recommendations.

Poetry
A book from a small publisher
Science Fiction
A book that's been on my shelf for 10 years

So if you could tell me what you'd read from those categories then I might get some inspiration. Thanks

Stasiland by Anna Funder is one of the very best small publisher books I've ever read (Granta) and would massively recommend. Just a fascinating about Eastern Germany and the effect of the Stasi on people's daily life.

This poetry book was hugely recommended when it came out and won the Costa. It's about a man's grief for his wife and is supposed to be brilliant... It's on my list but I shrink away from the sadness but I will read it one day.

Louise Gluck is another really interesting poet who I don't know well yet.
Owen Shears, who wrote the near perfect poem 'Not Yet My Mother" is a really good poet and accessible.

I think this by Margaret Atwood sounds like science fiction by a serious writer but I haven't read it, I have heard it spoken highly of.

I read the Christopher Reid earlier this year, Noelle and thought it was wonderful but very sad obviously. I recommended a different one by him, The Song of Lunch, further down the thread, which is equally good. He is very readable, and I would recommend even though I'm not normally keen on poetry, often finding it difficult or dull.

For science fiction, read The Man in the High Castle by Philip K. Dick. Alternate reality in which Germany and Japan won WWII. It is bloody brilliant.

Not sure about poetry or small publisher

Science fiction, hitchhikers guide to the galaxy was a quick read.
Like you I normally give my books away when I've read them, but not The Day of the jackal, I love that book. That's a lot older than 10 years old.

I've been on a scavenge around my parents' bookshelves. I found a poetry book that was quite small PO'ed poems which looks easily accessible and reasonably funny, so I'll read that.

And I found a book that I remember being given for my birthday as a teenager but I don't think I ever read it. Lord Fouls Bane

Oh yes, Lord Foul's Bane, Thomas Covenant IIRC, I think it's one of those books that either grab you by page 5 or that you never really get into.
Give it a try, but don't waste time on it if you are not enjoying it.

I've just remembered the "page 69 test"!! That probably dates me!!

Poetry - Thomas Hardy.

Science Fiction - Kazuo Ishiguro, Never Let me Go.

Oh thank you duchess