Old Favorites: Edgar Allan Poe

We’re focusing on newer books, movies, and television shows for 2018, but that doesn’t mean we’re entirely ignoring old favorites! After all, what’s that saying–what’s old may just become new again (or something like that)?

Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary,

Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore—

Whilst I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,

As of someone gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door. . . .

I was first introduced to Edgar Allan Poe as a child. I don’t remember how I acquired it, but somehow I got my hands on a collection of his poems and short stories, and they became instant favorites. For many years afterward, when I was feeling stressed out or overwhelmed, I would flip to “The Raven,” and despite the fact that it is not in any way intended as relaxing, I always found it therapeutic.

Well, this week (January 19th) marks his 199th birthday, and there is no better way to celebrate the wonderfully unusual, macabre, and creepy world of Edgar Allan Poe than by revisiting his work.

To celebrate, we’ve got a stunning new graphic novel collection of Poe’s short stories. Be the first one to check it out of the library! It features several of his most famous short stories, as well as his most famous poem, “The Raven.” It would make a great introduction to his work, as well as a wonderful new way to experience it if you’re already a fan:

If you can only handle one at a time, we’ve got graphic novel versions of individual stories in the system, as well:

But if you prefer to read the stories in their original format, we have plenty of collections to go around:

And if you’d rather peruse Poe’s poems, we’ve got you covered on that front too:

We’ve even got kids’ versions if you have a young reader who needs a proper, age-appropriate introduction:

You don’t even have to read if you don’t want to–we also have audiobook versions of Poe’s work, one of which is read by Vincent Price and Basil Rathbone, for optimal atmosphere:

As you can see, we have plenty of Poe to go around.  Hope you have a chance to dive into one of his works again (or for the first time) real soon!

*There’s a pretty good mix of Poe’s work, mostly on ebook, on Libby too.

Do you like Poe? What’s your favorite work by Poe? What are some of your old favorites? Tell us in the comments!