The Book of Delights: Essays [B2157]

2022 PB in Gift-Worthy condition. The bestselling book of essays celebrating ordinary delights in the world around us, by one of America's most original and observant writers, award-winning poet Ross Gay. 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.

From recent Amazon/GoodReads reviews: "Yes, it is as delightful as you may expect. It invites you to see the little miracles that happen everyday around you, not blocking reality, ugly as it may be, but balancing it out. I needed a book like this."; "Thoroughly enjoyed this book, really helped me to notice the many little delights in my life."; "These essays will remind you of all the many delights we experience in our day-to-day lives. Through the short essays, you will also get to know the author, award-winning poet Ross Gay, and his perspectives on many societal issues. A short and positive read."; "I read these essays in bits and pieces over the past few months in between other books & I really enjoyed them. This book now lives on my coffee table and serves as a reminder for me to spend time with the little things."