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4.37 AVERAGE
4.37 AVERAGE
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
I wish I could remember my introduction to Sarah Kay, but I can't pinpoint it. My best guess is it was from a spoken word with Phil Kaye, maybe "When Love Arrives" or "An Origin Story". I'd be willing to bet the AP Lit Facebook groups were where my love for her was planted.
A Little Daylight Left is a collection in three parts with a poem and an epigraph to set the stage. Part I features 11 poems that center around a theme of fear being learned rather than innate, sometimes borne of experience or crafted to protect oneself. Part II features 19 poems and highlights the bravery it takes to maintain a sense of softness and vulnerability with those we love, have loved, and hope to love one day. Part III contains 14 poems if I can count that highlight human resiliency that can only continue really through community and a willingness to continue trying despite it all.
There were several poems that stood out to me, but if I had to pick one from each section it would be: "Across the Room", "Orange", and "The Minister of Loneliness". There were many more that I could name, but suffice it to say, I believe this collection offers something for everyone and I cannot wait to put this on my shelf at home and in the classroom for students to explore.
This review is possible because of the generosity of Random House/The Dial Press via Netgalley for their generous gifting of an ARC of this gorgeous collection.
A Little Daylight Left is a collection in three parts with a poem and an epigraph to set the stage. Part I features 11 poems that center around a theme of fear being learned rather than innate, sometimes borne of experience or crafted to protect oneself. Part II features 19 poems and highlights the bravery it takes to maintain a sense of softness and vulnerability with those we love, have loved, and hope to love one day. Part III contains 14 poems if I can count that highlight human resiliency that can only continue really through community and a willingness to continue trying despite it all.
There were several poems that stood out to me, but if I had to pick one from each section it would be: "Across the Room", "Orange", and "The Minister of Loneliness". There were many more that I could name, but suffice it to say, I believe this collection offers something for everyone and I cannot wait to put this on my shelf at home and in the classroom for students to explore.
This review is possible because of the generosity of Random House/The Dial Press via Netgalley for their generous gifting of an ARC of this gorgeous collection.
I grew up watching Sarah Kay on Button Poetry, and her poetry is such a staple in the Spoken Word poetry world. I have a bias coming into this book.
I really loved it. There's usually something missing with spoken word when it's written, but I don't feel that way with this collection. Kay is a poet through and through.
This will definitely be on my list for best poetry of 2025.
I really loved it. There's usually something missing with spoken word when it's written, but I don't feel that way with this collection. Kay is a poet through and through.
This will definitely be on my list for best poetry of 2025.
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed this collection of poems and couldn't put it down until I finished it in one reading session. The writing was powerful and vulnerable, with hints of nostalgia, sorrow, and anger. I found quite a few poems very relatable, and were able to capture feelings I too had, but was not able to put into words. I felt seen. Kay's ability to take topics that seem unrelated to one another, but entwine them in the end was really enjoyable to read. This was my introduction to Sarah Kay and I look forward to reading more of her poetry in the future.
I really enjoyed this collection of poems and couldn't put it down until I finished it in one reading session. The writing was powerful and vulnerable, with hints of nostalgia, sorrow, and anger. I found quite a few poems very relatable, and were able to capture feelings I too had, but was not able to put into words. I felt seen. Kay's ability to take topics that seem unrelated to one another, but entwine them in the end was really enjoyable to read. This was my introduction to Sarah Kay and I look forward to reading more of her poetry in the future.
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I love getting lost in a book of poetry. Sarah Kay has a beautiful way of looking at the world but I’m afraid her style just isn’t for me. I have no experience with her prior work but I hear that her spoken word may be more impactful to an audience member like me who doesn’t love poetry written in long run on sentences/thoughts. I can’t connect with a lot of poems about fertility or children so those topics definitely disconnected me from the work on occasion. Overall a few great poems with a couple of phrases I enjoyed but the book overall just didn’t hit me in a memorable way.
I love getting lost in a book of poetry. Sarah Kay has a beautiful way of looking at the world but I’m afraid her style just isn’t for me. I have no experience with her prior work but I hear that her spoken word may be more impactful to an audience member like me who doesn’t love poetry written in long run on sentences/thoughts. I can’t connect with a lot of poems about fertility or children so those topics definitely disconnected me from the work on occasion. Overall a few great poems with a couple of phrases I enjoyed but the book overall just didn’t hit me in a memorable way.
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Wow, I wanted to read this slowly, but it's so difficult to put down! Each poem is deeply impactful and showcases a completely different complex emotion and relatable experience. It's dark, yearnful, hopeful, nostalgic, and yet, at some parts, light and airy. Unlike many poetry books that have a consistent theme that can sometimes become too heavy to read for a long period of time, this ebbs and flows beautifully from one concept to the next.
This book will be released April 1st, 2025, and I'm sad I can't include any quotes in the review until then. There are so many worth sharing, remembering, and holding on to. I plan to reread this time and time again. This book is for anyone who enjoys beautiful words and shared experiences.
Thank you, NetGalley and Random House Publishing, for the opportunity to read an advanced reader's copy in exchange for my honest review.
This book will be released April 1st, 2025, and I'm sad I can't include any quotes in the review until then. There are so many worth sharing, remembering, and holding on to. I plan to reread this time and time again. This book is for anyone who enjoys beautiful words and shared experiences.
Thank you, NetGalley and Random House Publishing, for the opportunity to read an advanced reader's copy in exchange for my honest review.
This is the feeling I will chase each time I pick up a new collection. It was full of cheeky, sad, happy, and relatable poems that were so vivid in my mind. The second section is where I really fell in love with Sarah’s writing and knew she would be a new favorite. I really enjoyed and related to many of the themes present in this collection (love, loss, friendship, creativity, grief), and loved her descriptive word choice combined with the purposeful layout/rhythm. I don’t think I’ll ever stop thinking about this one.
Some favorite quotes:
“& if your old friend ever picked up the phone again
you would say wherever
you've been
was where you
needed to be
& whoever you
are now
welcome
back, beloved.”
“I could learn to be patient if
I knew
there would always be a you to love”
My favorite poems were:
- RACCOON
- WORH CELEBRATING
- BEGINNING IS A SEASON
- ON THE DAYING APP I SELECT FROM THE DROPDOWN MENU TO INDICATE I TOO LIKE BEACHES
- PRAISE MY TINY KITCHEN
- DREAMING BOY
- TABLE GAMES
- ORANGE
- SONNET FOR POP
- SHARPSHOOTERS
- ALLOW ME JUST THIS ONE
- EACH IF US HERE
- WHOEVER BROKE INTO THE RENTAL CAR AND STOLE MY VIBRATOR
- NATURE VS NURTURE
- TSUBU
- JELLO
- DEVOTED
- EPITHALAMION
- MILES FROM SNY SHORELINE
Some favorite quotes:
“& if your old friend ever picked up the phone again
you would say wherever
you've been
was where you
needed to be
& whoever you
are now
welcome
back, beloved.”
“I could learn to be patient if
I knew
there would always be a you to love”
My favorite poems were:
- RACCOON
- WORH CELEBRATING
- BEGINNING IS A SEASON
- ON THE DAYING APP I SELECT FROM THE DROPDOWN MENU TO INDICATE I TOO LIKE BEACHES
- PRAISE MY TINY KITCHEN
- DREAMING BOY
- TABLE GAMES
- ORANGE
- SONNET FOR POP
- SHARPSHOOTERS
- ALLOW ME JUST THIS ONE
- EACH IF US HERE
- WHOEVER BROKE INTO THE RENTAL CAR AND STOLE MY VIBRATOR
- NATURE VS NURTURE
- TSUBU
- JELLO
- DEVOTED
- EPITHALAMION
- MILES FROM SNY SHORELINE
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review! I loved this poetry collection. It felt like the author was writing these poems not just for a large audience, but for each reader that picks up the collection. The title of this collection is perfect, in my opinion, because each poem captured fleeting moments of someone’s day that can be dredged up in a hazy memory. There are so many feelings caught in these words, and I think everyone will find at least one poem that will resonate with them.
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
"& what is a girl if not a pulsing thing learning what the world will take from her"
Sarah Kay's poetry is captivating, and I loved reading this collection. At the end of multiple poems, I found myself pausing to digest and then immediately rereading because it was just *so much* -- but in the best way.
Achingly beautiful and completely relatable. Can't wait for more.
Thank you to the publisher for the eARC in exchange for my review.
Sarah Kay's poetry is captivating, and I loved reading this collection. At the end of multiple poems, I found myself pausing to digest and then immediately rereading because it was just *so much* -- but in the best way.
Achingly beautiful and completely relatable. Can't wait for more.
Thank you to the publisher for the eARC in exchange for my review.
emotional
inspiring
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
Thank you Net Galley and Publishers for letting me read an arc of this book in return for an honest review.
This poetry book was powerful and vulnerable and the writing was absolutely beautiful. Unfortunately it wasn't a me book, but that's ok. It's a book for someone who loves the difficult things in life - heartbreak, ailing loved ones, new beginnings and uncertain futures. It's a spoken word poetry book so I feel like I might have liked these better listening to them out loud instead of reading. There were some poems I really enjoyed and were relatable to me but as a whole it wasn't my cup of tea. I am glad to have branched out to something new though.
This poetry book was powerful and vulnerable and the writing was absolutely beautiful. Unfortunately it wasn't a me book, but that's ok. It's a book for someone who loves the difficult things in life - heartbreak, ailing loved ones, new beginnings and uncertain futures. It's a spoken word poetry book so I feel like I might have liked these better listening to them out loud instead of reading. There were some poems I really enjoyed and were relatable to me but as a whole it wasn't my cup of tea. I am glad to have branched out to something new though.
ARC review; thanks to NetGalley, Random House Publishing Group - Random House, and The Dial Press for sending me this ebook. Pub date: Apr 01, 2025.
I always hate when a poetry collection doesn't work for me. Poetry seems very personal, so I feel like people who write it pour more of themselves into it. This just wasn't for me.
Maybe I just don't have whatever knowledge it takes to appreciate poetry beyond feeling. Cause when I don't connect to it or can't relate to it, I can't sit with it.
Overall, these poems seem well-written to me, I just wasn't getting anything out of them, but I don't doubt there's people who will, and I hope this book finds its audience.
I always hate when a poetry collection doesn't work for me. Poetry seems very personal, so I feel like people who write it pour more of themselves into it. This just wasn't for me.
Maybe I just don't have whatever knowledge it takes to appreciate poetry beyond feeling. Cause when I don't connect to it or can't relate to it, I can't sit with it.
Overall, these poems seem well-written to me, I just wasn't getting anything out of them, but I don't doubt there's people who will, and I hope this book finds its audience.