The Book of Delights

By Ross Gay,

Book cover of The Book of Delights: Essays

Book description

A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
As Heard on NPR's This American Life
'The delights he extols here (music, laughter, generosity, poetry, lots of nature) are bulwarks against casual cruelties . . . contagious in their joy' New York Times

The winner of the NBCC Award for Poetry offers up a…


Shepherd is reader supported. We may earn an affiliate commission when you buy through links on our website. (learn more)

Why read it?

1 author picked The Book of Delights as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

In Ross Gay’s linked essay collection, The Book of Delights, the desire to record joyous observations, and to examine the complexities and “underbellies” of such quotidian moments—becomes, as the book progresses, an act of political commentary, and unexpected engagement of social justice. The essay, “Bird Feeding,” shows Gay obsessively watching a man feed a pigeon until their bodies—that of the man and that of the bird—seem to fuse together. “How often do you get to see someone slow dancing with a pigeon!” Gay exclaims, revealing the often-hidden tenderness that can exist between human beings and wild birds.   

Want books like The Book of Delights?

Our community of 7,000+ authors has personally recommended 10 books like The Book of Delights.

Browse books like The Book of Delights

5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in social justice, philosophy, and earth?

7,000+ authors have recommended their favorite books and what they love about them. Browse their picks for the best books about social justice, philosophy, and earth.

Social Justice Explore 44 books about social justice
Philosophy Explore 412 books about philosophy
Earth Explore 223 books about earth