Well Lit Book Club

The Brightworks Well Lit Book Club, coordinated by the Power & Privilege Committee, had its first meeting today. A group of parents and staff gathered to discuss and reflect upon The Book of Delights, by Ross Gay.

The Book of Delights by Ross Gay is a collection of essays that explores the beauty and joy in everyday life. The book is a record of Gay's observations and experiences over the course of a year, and it's filled with themes of connection, sharing, and delight. This feels like a balm for these times and what a beautiful opportunity to be reminded of the importance of noticing glimmers of joy.

We discussed themes of:

• Connecting with others

  Gay's essays are about care and concern, and he believes that connecting with others is central to living a full and happy life. 

• Sharing delight

  Gay believes that delight expands through sharing, and he says that sharing it feels good and is fun. 

• Celebrating the natural world

  Gay celebrates the beauty of the natural world, including his garden, flowers, and praying mantises. 

• Being present

  Gay's book offers a template for being more present and reveling in the little things. 

  As we move forward, we are taking with us the ideas that:

• Delight can be a conscious practice.

• Delight and grief can co-exist.

• Safe spaces for sharing delight and awe can be healing.

ABOUT ROSS

Ross Gay is interested in joy.

Ross Gay wants to understand joy.

Ross Gay is curious about joy.

Ross Gay studies joy.

Something like that.

~

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.