Anne Sexton published 1 novel, 1 short story collection, 11 poetry collections and 4 other books, beginning with All My Pretty Ones (1962).
Updated September 2026
Where to start with Anne Sexton
Start here
All My Pretty Ones
Anne Sexton's most-read book.
Standalone novels in order
Joey and the Birthday Present (1971), with Maxine Kumin
Short story collections in order
Words for Dr. Y (1978)
Poetry in order
To Bedlam and Part Way Back (1960)
All My Pretty Ones (1962)
Selected Poems (1964)
Live or Die (1966)
Love Poems (1969)
Transformations (1971)
The Book of Folly (1972)
The Awful Rowing Toward God (1975)
45 Mercy Street (1976)
No Evil Star (1985)
Selected Poems of Anne Sexton (1988)
Other books in order
The Death Notebooks (1974)
A Self-Portrait in Letters (1977)
Anne Sexton (1977)
Anne Sexton Reads (1993)
About Anne Sexton
Anne Sexton was an American poet known for her highly personal, confessional verse. She won the Pulitzer Prize for poetry in 1967 for her book Live or Die. Her poetry often drew on her experiences with mental illness, including bipolar disorder and suicidal ideation, as well as aspects of her personal life. She was known for blending fairy tales, mythology, and religious imagery with autobiographical themes. Sexton’s work continues to be widely read and studied for its emotional intensity and lasting influence on contemporary American poetry. After her death, one of her daughters has alleged abuse in accounts discussed in some later biographies and scholarship.
Biography from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.
Anne Sexton FAQ
- How many books has Anne Sexton written?
- Anne Sexton published 1 novel, 1 short story collection, 11 poetry collections and 4 other books that we list, as of September 2026.
- What order should I read Anne Sexton's books in?
- Publication order is a safe choice; the full list is above. Most readers start with All My Pretty Ones.
- What is Anne Sexton's last book?
- Joey and the Birthday Present (1971).
- What is Anne Sexton's most famous book?
- All My Pretty Ones (1962) is Anne Sexton's most widely read book.
Authors like Anne Sexton
Sources: book lists and dates from Wikidata and Open Library, ratings from Open Library readers. Last updated September 2026.