In celebration of Black History Month, we’ll be highlighting a diverse range of books – poetry, novels, memoirs and more – all written by Black American authors. Each of these works moved, engaged, delighted, enraged, and excited Island Free Library readers’ this past year, and we’ll be featuring one title every day through the month of February.
Today’s work is Ross Gay’s The Book of Delights, a quirky, contagious collection of mini essays/narrative poems that document the joys Gay found in the everyday moments of one calendar year. From the pleasure of watching the gentle sway of a roller-skater on the street to the beauty of hyacinth in spring, Gay cannot and will not ignore the violence and oppression that surrounds him, but also refuses to overlook the balm of community, humanity and the natural world. In The Book of Delights, Gay recognizes the many varied forms joy takes, and he delights in them all.
Ross Gay is a poet, non-fiction writer and a founding board member of the Bloomington Community Orchard, “a non-profit, free-fruit-for-all food justice and joy project.” The recipient of Bread Loaf, Cave Canem and Guggenheim fellowships, Gay teaches at Indiana University.
Stay tuned for a new book tomorrow!