Award-winning poet Matthew Zapruder breaks down what makes poetry such an essential art form in his new book of nonfiction Why Poetry. He argues one reason poetry isn't more popular is because of the way it's taught to us in school. Zapruder re-educates us on what makes a poem and how we can learn to enjoy them. 

Matthew Zapruder will appear in conversation with Mary Louise Parker at Books are Magic (225 Smith St., Brooklyn) on Oct. 12 at 7:30 p.m.