The Book Of Delights: Essays by Ross Gay

(Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book!)

about book: (summary from Goodreads)

The New York Times bestselling book of essays celebrating ordinary delights in the world around us by one America's most original and observant writers, award-winning poet Ross Gay.

As Heard on NPR's This American Life

“Ross Gay’s eye lands upon wonder at every turn, bolstering my belief in the countless small miracles that surround us.” —Tracy K. Smith, Pulitzer Prize winner and U.S. Poet Laureate

The winner of the NBCC Award for Poetry offers up a spirited collection of short lyrical essays, written daily over a tumultuous year, reminding us of the purpose and pleasure of praising, extolling, and celebrating ordinary wonders.

In The Book of Delights, one of today’s most original literary voices offers up a genre-defying volume of lyric essays written over one tumultuous year. The first nonfiction book from award-winning poet Ross Gay is a record of the small joys we often overlook in our busy lives. Among Gay’s funny, poetic, philosophical delights: a friend’s unabashed use of air quotes, cradling a tomato seedling aboard an airplane, the silent nod of acknowledgment between the only two black people in a room. But Gay never dismisses the complexities, even the terrors, of living in America as a black man or the ecological and psychic violence of our consumer culture or the loss of those he loves. More than anything else, though, Gay celebrates the beauty of the natural world–his garden, the flowers peeking out of the sidewalk, the hypnotic movements of a praying mantis.

The Book of Delights is about our shared bonds, and the rewards that come from a life closely observed. These remarkable pieces serve as a powerful and necessary reminder that we can, and should, stake out a space in our lives for delight.

my thoughts:

Wow. What a beautiful book. I LOVED The Book of Delights by Ross Gay. This book of essays is written by an accomplished poet who has a penchant for finding joy in a year that was anything but joyful. His essays are short and delightful, sobering and thoughtful, and a great reminder to pay attention to the small details in life. Yep, it really is the little things that can jolt you out of your doldrums.

Gay has written a terrific book that you will love dipping in and out of. I know I did. I really enjoyed getting to know Gay through these essays and his writing, which I found to be top notch. I loved the variety, not just in topics, but in the writing styles. His love of words is evident and it makes each essay a treat to read. The Books of Delights is truly a delightful and thoughtful book. 

I would happily recommend this book to anyone and everyone looking for their next great read - check it out!

Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book!