By
Ms. Gamzon
March 27--4-6 pm
The New York Times 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.
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.
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.
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The Book of Delights was a refreshing change from our typical texts. I found Gay's musings to be entertaining, thoughtful, and honest. I think too often in our lives we allow the good things to go by without noticing them and when we look, they are gone. Our students spend so much of their time with their heads/eyes glued to whatever technology is closest that they often neglect to notice anything about their surroundings.
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of using Gay's initial goal as a lesson in English. It really could work for any grade level. What if we all asked our student to just write about something that made them happy every day for a week? No matter how big or small or seemingly insignificant. Maybe asking them to slow down and take notice will help them do this long term, (and would also help us!).
I found Gay's observations of human nature in general both amusing and insightful. Specifically chapters 8 and 9. He first tells the story of his father working at Red Barn, and then transitions to the his friend's Abdel's book, and the idea that "negreeting" is a way for black American's to "witness each other's innocence." He then follow this with the "The High-Five from Strangers," which emphasizes the importance and need for ALL human interaction.
Overall, I really enjoyed The Book of Delights and I can see myself using excerpts of this in my classes.
The Book of Delights is a change from the recent books that we have read. All of a sudden this book group turned into a suburban middle age reading group, looking for books to discuss over tea. I am not sure if it is the book, the author or just me , but it does not flow. The lack of energy or purpose makes it feel as if I am just plodding along in some middle aged mans life. I am not sure where our students would relate, other than "look it is a short reading". I honestly believe that I have better essay assignments already and would not have a use for any of these, so I would not be able to use this in my classroom.
ReplyDeleteGood interview with Ross Gay: https://onbeing.org/programs/ross-gay-tending-joy-and-practicing-delight/
ReplyDelete