Ross Gay is first and foremost a poet. His poetic experience is more than evident in the beautiful, lyrical quality of each of these essays. Inciting Joy features meditations on the things that Gay is grateful for, that ultimately have caused him to feel joy. However, that's not to say that Gay never mentions sorrow in this book. On the contrary, sorrow is a guiding force on his path to finding joy. For instance, in the midst of grief, Gay discovers joy in grieving as a community and in acknowledging how loss connects us all.

If you want a book that is both memoir and a celebration of humanity, this collection is for you!