This kanji dictionary is all the beginner needs. It includes stroke order, pronunciations, and the most common usages and combinations. Small enough to fit in a back pack, but large enough to impress those who have not gone beyond 'z'.

For only the most serious Japanese students (college majors). Not only does this dictionary contain every Japanese kanji character, it includes historical tables and ancient names of places in Japan. At 3 inches thick, this dictionary can also double as a door stop. Not practical for carrying around in back packs unless you are impersonating Quasimodo.

This book provides a good over view of Japanese literature in English translation. Some of the language is a little dated, but still accessible. There are poems, stories of love and death, plays, and moral tales. Not something I would read cover to cover, but something to read a little at a time.

This English language anthology of Japanese poetry gives 2-3 poems for each poet and a brief bio of the poet. The styles vary greatly, so you are bound to find a poem that speaks to you.

Conrad Cornelius O'Donald O'Dell learns that there are letters out there that go beyond 'z'. Great illustrations!

I read this book when I was in high school, and through it I discovered some of my favorite poets. These are not dead poets! These poets are alive, and in this book they comment on the inspiration for their poems. Really interesting if you are curious about how writers write.

Billy Collins proves that poetry can be written in contemporary language, reference pop culture, and have a sense of humor, and still be great poetry.

Really, any Calvin and Hobbes book is great, but I like to read the commentary by Bill Waterson about his inspirations for different strips.

This book gives a good over view of the work of Nikki Giovanni. Her topics range from racism, to relationships, to love, to self-reflection, to politics, but the language is always direct.