Genre: Memoir / Essays
Publisher: Algonquin Books
Pages: 304
Published: September 19th, 2023
Buy at: Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Hatchette | Amazon | Add to Goodreads
About the book:
In the year 2017, Ross Gay embarked on a project to pen down daily delights for a year. The essays had some basic rules – begin and end on his birthday, August 1. Write daily. Draft them quickly, and write them by hand.
The essays were compiled into the New York Times Bestseller, The Book Of Delights published in 2019.
He returned to the project five years later on August 1, 2021. Sharing a new chronicle of small, daily wonders in The Book of (More) Delights. A book we need in these unsettling times.
Review:
We all are well acquainted with the benefits of a gratitude journal. Some of us maintain one too.
How about finding joy in the mundane and not-so-mundane? A free walking stick library at a Vermont trailhead. The pleasure of refusing the ubiquitous scannable QR code menus. The joyous squeal of a small child being thrown into the air. The aroma of freshly baked cookies. Blowing dandelions. Fluffball bunnies and squirrels.
“We do not sing about what delights us, what we love, only for ourselves. It’s for each other that we sing about what we love“
True to its name, the book is truly a delight to read. Consider it a book to turn to when you are having a bad day. To be comforted and affirm the joy in the world. It is not a book to be read in one sitting but one to take it slow and savor. A book that you can return to time and again. It hones your own delight radar to appreciate the simple joys of life. Some essays make you introspect. Some make you nostalgic. Some bring a smile to your face.
Apart from the 81 essays, it also includes an appendix of brief delights. Tiny delights that include people talking to their dog, a new book, or simply the word “belong”.
That said, the essays are not all sunshine and rainbows. The author also addresses racism, toxic masculinity, consumerism, lack of human interaction, and the continuous threats to our natural world.
“For the record, I do not think of this as looking on the bright side. I think of it as looking at everything.”
As much as I enjoyed reading the book, it does have its issues. Given the spontaneous nature of penning down the thoughts, the writing in some of the essays feels disjointed. Some feel repetitive too, but then, one cannot judge a person’s joy and gratitude. One does not connect with all the delights. That is what makes us human.
I would definitely recommend the book. It is indeed a powerful read. This is a book that inspires you to pen down your own daily delights. It has inspired me. I have also got my copy of the author’s Book Of Delights and will be picking it up soon.
About Ross Gay
Ross Gay is the New York Times bestselling author of the essay collections The Book of Delights and Inciting Joy and four books of poetry. His Catalog of Unabashed Gratitude won the National Book Critics Circle Award and the Kingsley Tufts Poetry Award, and was a finalist for the National Book Award; and Be Holding won the 2021 PEN America Jean Stein Book Award. Gay is a founding board member of the Bloomington Community Orchard, a non-profit, free-fruit-for-all food justice and joy project and has received fellowships from Cave Canem, the Bread Loaf Writer’s Conference, and the Guggenheim Foundation. He teaches at Indiana University.
I received a digital copy of the book from Algonquin Books for the blog tour. All opinions are my own.
This blog post is part of the blog challenge ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’ hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla in collaboration with Outset Books.
September 23, 2023 @ 12:04 pm
I love these books with nuggets of wisdom. They make you understand that somewhere, someone is also experiencing similar ups and downs. It’s not unusual to slip, and it’s not unusual to desire joy. Would surely like to read this book.
September 24, 2023 @ 2:43 pm
I have started 21 Days Gratitude Challenge in my wellness program. Since then I have been researching on various gratitude journals. See the law of attraction, you brought the book to me. This is the magic of universe
September 27, 2023 @ 12:27 pm
When chicken soup for the soul was first published manyyyyy years ago… I had a similar feeling. It was highly motivating for me. So for a book like this, I know where you’re coming from Ritu.
I dont remwnber exactly when, but my friend had asked me to choose between his older book and one of Khaled Hosseini’s as a gift… I chose the latter. Now i guess i have to pick up this one😃
September 24, 2023 @ 2:44 pm
I have started 21 Days Gratitude Challenge in my wellness program. Since then I have been researching on various gratitude journals. See the law of attraction, you brought the book to me. This is the magic of universe and I live by it.
September 24, 2023 @ 4:11 pm
I appreciate how the book doesn’t shy away from addressing important issues like racism, consumerism, and environmental threats. It balances the sweetness of delight with the bitter realities of the world, encouraging us to look at everything with a mindful eye.
September 24, 2023 @ 8:03 pm
When I read in detail what the book was about een I had my reservations that the book might feel repetitive and may feel dragging at places, because come on, how much delight can we get from reading about someone else’ delight in talking to a dog or smelling a flower. I think Ross Gay is an exceptional writer who can make small things look such a treat. Thanks, Ritu, it was a lovely review!
September 25, 2023 @ 1:36 pm
Review seems very interesting. I would love to get my hands on,
September 25, 2023 @ 2:21 pm
Gratitude! The world revolve around it if you want to live your life mindful. The true opinion your always give insight of the book. No wonder the book have daily delight including every day topics such as racism, and environmental threats. Would like to read to check out how author finds more delight in mudane.
September 25, 2023 @ 11:19 pm
Your review is always so good. I keep trying to start reading but its not happening. I wish I could go back in time
September 26, 2023 @ 11:20 am
I have made note of this in my “books to read” collection. Thank you
September 26, 2023 @ 3:22 pm
a journal kind of book that could give us the energy we need on a not-so-good day. Reading books that have a sense of joy for oneself is truly best read. This book seems to be one.
September 26, 2023 @ 7:15 pm
Ritu I love your interest of reading different types of books to be precise different genres of books. Now coming to penning personal thoughts in Journal is a very personal kind of thing and why it to share that with the world. Well its my absolute personal thought. I will not judge the author and his work anyhow but I will love to read a book with some essay topics on a specific theme not something which turns difficult to connect with one another for a reader. But that’s my opinion and I respect others opinions.
September 26, 2023 @ 10:11 pm
I love the books that stays with us, books that cannot be finished in one sitting but make us think and savor each word. Thank you for recommending this.
September 26, 2023 @ 11:32 pm
I really like that the book isn’t afraid to talk about important topics like racism, consumerism, and threats to the environment. It mixes the joy of wonder with the harsh truths of the world, reminding us to be thoughtful about everything. Your review has me intrigued, and I’m eager to read it for myself.
September 27, 2023 @ 7:01 am
I am always intriguied to read titles by NY times bestselling authors. But this one as you say, has some issues. Maybe Ross Gay will compensate that in his next book!
September 27, 2023 @ 10:53 am
Finding joy in small things is am art which we all must lear.
September 27, 2023 @ 11:31 am
Doing journal is indeed helpful but for newbies especially who aren’t used to writing, they find it difficult thinking what to put down. Having some sort of guide on what to explore your mind with and pour your thoughts is helpful. I haven’t crossed path with this book yet but it seems like a great one.
September 27, 2023 @ 11:57 am
Sounds like a good book to look at the positive side of life. Life has its ups and downs. Finding the good every day is sometimes difficult but it also changes the way you see the world.
September 27, 2023 @ 5:26 pm
Little joys and small gyan (sorry could not get the exact word) giving books are great for a great read. I am sure such books give a positive outlook of life. I really should get back on reading.
September 27, 2023 @ 9:53 pm
Love the vibrant cover of the book. I like to enjoy this kind of book cz those disjointed writing style resonate with our thought process too. In a way, these books are very personalized in manner. The way it will vibe with me will be very different than yours and it gives a very multifaceted view.
September 28, 2023 @ 4:10 am
Your review of “The Book of (More) Delights” is insightful and engaging. You’ve captured the essence of the book’s themes and the author’s style effectively. It’s a compelling recommendation for readers like me who are interested in exploring its contents.
January 16, 2024 @ 8:19 pm
A very interesting premise! I wonder if the original was better?