A heart-warming and joyful collection of short lyric essays, reminding us of the purpose and pleasure of praising, extolling and celebrating ordinary wonders

'Pure balm for your soul'

CELESTE NG, author of Little Fires Everywhere

'His delight is infectious. It's hard to read Gay and not to be won over'

SEATTLE TIMES

Among Ross Gay's funny and philosophical delights: a friend's unabashed use of air quotes, cradling a tomato seedling aboard an aeroplane, the silent nod of acknowledgement between the only two black people in a room.

More than anything, 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, and serves as a powerful and necessary reminder that we can, and should, stake out a space in our lives for delight.