Rita Dove books in order
American poet, essayist, and university teacher
- Born
- 1952
- Country
- United States
- Books
- 17
Rita Dove has published 1 novel, 1 novella, 1 short story collection, 13 poetry collections and 1 other book, beginning with The Yellow House on the Corner (1980). The best-known is On the Bus with Rosa Parks (1999). The latest is Through the Ivory Gate (1992).
Updated September 2026
Where to start with Rita Dove
Start here
On the Bus with Rosa Parks
Rita Dove's most-read book.
Newest
Through the Ivory Gate
Published 1992.
Standalone novels in order
Through the Ivory Gate (1992)
Novellas in order
Thomas and Beulah (1986)
Short story collections in order
Fifth Sunday (1985)
Poetry in order
The Yellow House on the Corner (1980)
Museum (1983)
Grace Notes (1989)
Selected Poems (1993)
The Darker Face of the Earth (1994)
The Poet's World (1995)
On the Bus with Rosa Parks (1999)
Conversations with Rita Dove (2003)
American Smooth (2004)
Sonata Mulattica (2009)
The Penguin Anthology of Twentieth-Century American Poetry (2013)
Collected Poems (2016)
Playlist for the Apocalypse (2021)
Other books in order
Mother Love (1995)
About Rita Dove
Rita Frances Dove is an American poet and essayist. She served as poet laureate consultant in poetry to the Library of Congress from 1993 to 1995, becoming the first African American appointed to the position after it was established in 1986. In 1987, she became the second African American to receive the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry. Dove was special consultant in poetry to the Library of Congress during its bicentennial year (1999–2000) and served as Poet Laureate of Virginia from 2004 to 2006. She has been teaching at the University of Virginia since 1989.
Biography from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.
Rita Dove FAQ
- How many books has Rita Dove written?
- Rita Dove has published 1 novel, 1 novella, 1 short story collection, 13 poetry collections and 1 other book that we list, as of September 2026.
- What order should I read Rita Dove's books in?
- Publication order is a safe choice; the full list is above. Most readers start with On the Bus with Rosa Parks.
- What is Rita Dove's latest book?
- Through the Ivory Gate (1992).
- What is Rita Dove's most famous book?
- On the Bus with Rosa Parks (1999) is Rita Dove's most widely read book.
Authors like Rita Dove
Sources: book lists and dates from Wikidata and Open Library, ratings from Open Library readers. Last updated September 2026.