This book is a sustained meditation on the themes of death, life, and the natural world. It finds solace in the processes of gardens and orchards, where death, sorrow, and loss are converted into nourishing elements. The poems are intimate, conversational, and rooted in personal experiences, highlighting the importance of gratitude and the interconnectedness of human experiences. The collection addresses various emotions, from sorrow and loss to joy and gratitude, and celebrates the beauty and abundance of life[1][3][4].
Ross Gay's "Against Which" is a collection of poems that explores themes of nature, spirituality, and social justice. The poems are characterized by their lyrical beauty, their insightful observations on the human condition, and their celebration of the interconnectedness of all things. Gay's work is known for its warmth, humor, and its ability to find beauty in the midst of struggle. "Against Which" is a powerful and moving collection that will resonate with readers who appreciate poetry that is both intellectually stimulating and emotionally engaging. It's a testament to the power of poetry to illuminate the complexities of the human experience.
In *The Book of Delights*, Ross Gay offers a genre-defying volume of short, lyrical essays written over one tumultuous year. These 'essayettes,' in the manner of Montaigne, capture Gay’s daily observations and experiences, ranging from the beauty of the natural world to the complexities of race and masculinity. The book emphasizes the importance of delight as a bulwark against casual cruelties and as a way to connect with others, highlighting the shared humanity and mortality that bind us. Gay’s essays are both intimate and political, never shying away from the terrors of living in America while celebrating the small joys that make life worth observing closely[1][3][5].
Ross Gay's "Inciting Joy" delves into the transformative power of joy, challenging its dismissal as frivolous. Gay explores how joy can be a radical act of resistance and belonging, particularly amidst grief and sorrow. The essays examine rituals and habits that foster joy, emphasizing its role in building solidarity and care. The book encourages readers to embrace joy as a practice, not just an emotion, and to find connection through shared experiences of sorrow. Gay's personal reflections and insightful observations make "Inciting Joy" a compelling read for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of joy's significance.
In *The Book of Delights*, Ross Gay offers a genre-defying volume of short, lyrical essays written over one tumultuous year. These 'essayettes,' in the manner of Montaigne, capture Gay’s daily observations and experiences, ranging from the beauty of the natural world to the complexities of race and masculinity. The book emphasizes the importance of delight as a bulwark against casual cruelties and as a way to connect with others, highlighting the shared humanity and mortality that bind us. Gay’s essays are both intimate and political, never shying away from the terrors of living in America while celebrating the small joys that make life worth observing closely[1][3][5].
Ross Gay's "Be Holding" is a collection of poems that explores themes of nature, spirituality, and social justice. The poems are characterized by their lyrical beauty, their insightful observations on the human condition, and their celebration of the interconnectedness of all things. Gay's work is known for its warmth, humor, and its ability to find beauty in the midst of struggle. "Be Holding" is a powerful and moving collection that will resonate with readers who appreciate poetry that is both intellectually stimulating and emotionally engaging. It's a testament to the power of poetry to illuminate the complexities of the human experience.
In 'The Woman in Me', Britney Spears shares her personal story of fame, family, and resilience. The memoir chronicles her rise to stardom, her experiences with the pressures of fame, and her battle to break free from a conservatorship that controlled her life. Spears offers candid insights into her relationships, motherhood, and the challenges she faced in the entertainment industry.
Ross Gay's "Bringing the Shovel Down" is a collection of poems that explores themes of nature, spirituality, and social justice. The poems are characterized by their lyrical beauty, their insightful observations on the human condition, and their celebration of the interconnectedness of all things. Gay's work is known for its warmth, humor, and its ability to find beauty in the midst of struggle. "Bringing the Shovel Down" is a powerful and moving collection that will resonate with readers who appreciate poetry that is both intellectually stimulating and emotionally engaging. It's a testament to the power of poetry to illuminate the complexities of the human experience.
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How rethinking these often twee concepts can change your life and maybe the world.
Ross Gay is the author of four books of poetry: Against Which; Bringing the Shovel Down; Be Holding, winner of the PEN American Literary Jean Stein Award; and Catalog of Unabashed Gratitude, winner of the 2015 National Book Critics Circle Award and the 2016 Kingsley Tufts Poetry Award. In addition to his poetry, Ross has released three collections of essays—The Book of Delights was released in 2019 and was a New York Times bestseller; Inciting Joy was released in 2022, and his newest collection, The Book of (More) Delights was released in September of 2023.
In this episode we talk about:
- What got Ross interested in the subject of delight
- How noting delight can be a tool for counter programming against our negativity bias
- Why Ross argues that there is an ethical component to delight
- The benefits of writing by hand
- How both using a smartphone and rushing can be delight blockers
- The difference between delight and joy
- What he means when he refers to the “offenses of joy”
- And the connection between grief and joy
Full Shownotes: https://www.tenpercent.com/tph/podcast-episode/ross-gay
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