Kwame is absolutely brilliant. His poetry is honey. This book shines a light on his talents in such a delectable way. I truly enjoyed the poems scattered throughout this memoir and the recipes he so kindly provided for all to enjoy.

I am absolutely convinced we all had the same grandparents and parents. I saw my parents and grandmother so clearly in this book.

To make yourself human to your kids is something I wish my parents had done early on in my childhood. I am profoundly grateful for seeing them as individuals in my mid twenties but I wonder how much grace I would’ve extended earlier in my life had they shown me what Kwame shows to his daughters here.

Kwame’s poetry leaves me feeling fluid. I feel loose in my body like water flowing over rocks. It is an absolute treat to leave a book feeling this good.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of this title in exchange for my honest review

This is somewhat of a memoir of Kwame Alexander where he reflects on his father figures and how they shaped who he was as a father and a husband. It includes letters to his daughters, poems he wrote to his first wife and second, we learn a little about his marriages and how those relationships came to be and fell apart. He expresses his love for his daughters and their mothers even though he's no longer married to either of them. He also expresses his love for his mother and hard her passing was for him. This is heartfelt and intimate and eloquently written, in true Kwame Alexander fashion.

Let me say this first. Kwame Alexander is a national treasure. As a teacher and a parent, I have personally witnessed the power his books have to turn reluctant readers into kids who cannot put books down. This book, however, is for adults. It's a memoir told in poems, short stories, and family recipes. Alexander isn't afraid to share intimate details about his relationships with his daughters and his wives. His vulnerability is palpable throughout. This book has further solidified my love for Kwame Alexander's work.

Thank you to Little, Brown and Company and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book.

Why Fathers Cry at Night is a beautiful mix of poetry and prose. Using letters, love poems, and family recipes, Alexander shares intimate moments throughout him life. He divides his memoir into five parts, each part more vulnerable than the previous. The family recipes he includes with a story that makes the readers' mouths water. I will definitely be making a couple of the recipes this summer, and I will definitely be recommending this book. It is short, but powerful. It can be read in one sitting, but you may find yourself wanting to savor and re-read his words. This is the first "adult" book I have read by Kwame Alexander, and I hope he writes more.

Thanks to Netgalley and Little, Brown & Company for this ARC.

This book is a memoir of sorts told through poems, small essays, and recipes. It was not what I expected it to be, but it was still interesting.

A soulful memoir from a soulful man. Alexander's previous works have resonated for me as a school counselor because of his ability to articulate emotion so beautifully. He did that here through letters, poems, and recipes. I was moved often in this intimate and open love story to his two daughters. My only critique is more about me than him - it was so intimate that I almost felt voyeuristic in reading some of his letters to the girls especially at the end. But, perhaps that will speak to someone who really needs to hear it and bring others back to each other as Alexander hoped it would do with his own daughter.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an eARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

A unique and beautifully written memoir. I really liked the range of prose, verse and recipes sprinkled throughout. Big fan of Kwame, big fan of this

Thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown, and Company for access to this title. I am auto-approved for Little, Brown, and Company. All opinions expressed are my own.


A truly memorable memoir because as the title suggests it is a compilation of love poems, recipes, and letters. There are no cons to mention.



Expected Publication Date: 23/05/23
Goodreads review published 24/04/23

As a huge fan of Kwame Alexander, I knew I needed to read Why Fathers Cry at Night. This memoir is not like any memoir I have read before. There are stories, poems, recipes and insights into his life. I have gotten to meet Kwame at a few book events and he always seems so carefree and fun. This memoir gave me a chance to see the more raw side. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who likes to read about other people. If you like a bit of unconventional, this book will absolutely not disappoint. I can’t wait to try some of the recipes mentioned!!

Thank you so much to Little, Brown and Company and NetGalley for the opportunity to read the ARC of this book! I am so honored.

This is an unusual memoir: so personal and honest, and also so relatable on a human level. It is also rich with family stories, recipes, poetry and music. It’s the kind of book you can pick up, flip to any page, and find something interesting and meaningful. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Kwame Alexander never disappoints. In this memoir collection of poems, musings, and recipes, we're given insight into who and how Kwame loves. He weaves intimate details into small moments and you find yourself lost in the relationships. I loved how easily Alexander travels between then and now, showcasing what he learned of love from his parents, how his mom's passing changed his understanding of love, and why grief is also a form of love. He demonstrates the complications presented when love is changing, growing, and ending. The style is also impressive because being able to balance stories, poems, and recipes in a way that feels fluid and cohesive is not an easy task. However, I found myself following it and understanding the role each has in its chosen place.

I appreciated the raw honesty Alexander showed. It is not often we see men taking vulnerable stances or exposing their feelings, especially in relation to relationships and inner-healing. I liked seeing the process of accepting love, learning how to love, learning to let go of lost love, and healing through self-love.

I highly recommend this collection. It's heartfelt, vulnerable, and expansive. There is something for everyone, regardless of their feelings towards love. Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company for the ARC in exchange for my review.

If you’ve read even one of Kwame Alexander’s books, you already know that his writing is evocative, powerful, and a joy to read - even when you’re reading something that breaks your heart. He reads so smooth but packs such a punch, whether he’s writing about slavery, Civil Rights, boys learning basketball from their dad, and, especially it seems, his own life. I think this is my favorite Alexander book that I’ve ever read, which is really saying something. I laughed out loud and cried real tears while reading this book, and while Alexander has written other books that resulted in the same reactions, none have felt this raw and real and vulnerable.

This book isn’t your typical memoir. It’s made up of verse, prose, letters, recipes, quotes, and music. He references so much music in the book that I actually created a playlist to listen to while reading, which I highly recommend. This book also doesn’t follow a linear timeline. I absorbed every word but couldn’t give you a play-by-play of Alexander’s life - but I could share with you his feelings about love, parenthood, family, and loss.

I couldn’t put this book down, but I also wouldn’t consider it an easy read. Some passages are painful to get through, and I’m inspired by Alexander’s commitment to writing his truth even through the lens of pain. As a reader, I was totally immersed in the story but also continually marveling at the writing. I considered my role as a parent, a daughter, a teacher, a student. I thought about the power of words and how I wield this power on a daily basis. I was inspired to connect with those I love the most and intentionally live so that my legacy is one of connection. I will think about this book for a long time and will absolutely read it again one day.

Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company for the Advanced Reader's Copy of this book!

Wow. I loved this book. It's a memoir through essay and poems and Kwame Alexander has such a beautiful voice, filled with humor and honesty. Food is the binding that holds us together, and I loved the inclusion of recipes, too! This truly is a love letter to his daughters, his parents, and to himself. Thank you to the author, Hachette, and Netgalley for this ARC and the opportunity to share my thoughts.

I'm not much of a memoir reader, but I'm so grateful that I ventured here. I found no dry dates, no trite anecdotes, and no questionable contrivances. Everything felt honest, authentic, and heartfelt. Perhaps more authors should consider writing their memoirs in love poems and recipes.

I've never met one of Kwame's books that I didn't like. His subtlety, nuance, and discernment always make for an engaging literary experience. Tension, heartache, joy surround his characters and I experience it all as well.

Turning that skilled treatment to his own life was insightful and moving and in many ways made me remember important people in my own life. His"Missed Call" reminded me of my old phone that I won't let anyone touch because it has my mother's voice on it and the many others things tangible and otherwise that she has left me. His poignant letters to wives and daughters were filled with yearning and often regret.

I especially enjoyed reading the recipes complete with the music played in the background. They weren't a list of grocery items so much as an entire sensory experiences creating time and place.

Do I know the dates and statistics of Alexander's life? No. But I do feel like I have a much deeper understanding of the author than any of them could have given me.

Thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown, and Company for advance access to this title.

Pros: I read Kwame Alexander’s The Crossover and thought it was fantastic, so I was interested to learn more about him through this memoir. The author uses essays, poetry, and recipes (paired with song suggestions) to share about his relationship with his parents and his daughters. I enjoyed learning about his history as a writer, especially details surrounding the writing and Newberry Medal winning of The Crossover. I read this on my kindle but think I would really enjoy an audiobook read by the author.

Cons: None.

Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown & Company for the opportunity to read this book.

A gorgeous memoir, one that constantly surprised me, and one that I'll be thinking about for a long time.

Kwame Alexander's latest book, a memoir, revealed so much about his past, his present, and his future. There were his traditional poems, some letters, and some recipes, all of which worked together seamlessly to create a beautiful book. There were so many poignant moments to me, moments where I truly connected with his words despite not living or experiencing them. The vulnerability that Alexander displays is remarkable; he puts himself out there for anyone to read while sharing very personal experiences.

One of my favorite parts of this book was when he shared the ups and downs of his relationship with Nikki Giovanni. I can only imagine the brilliance of their talks.

I highly recommend this memoir, especially if you are a fan of Kwame Alexander's writing.

Gorgeous! A mix of prose and poetry with recipes along the way, Kwame Alexander is masterful with his words! A truly honest, open, and vulnerable look into Alexander’s life and relationships. Beautiful read!

An honest and raw memoir by the incredibly talented Kwame Alexander.
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Kwame takes us on a journey, not always linear, about his own life, as well as his parents’ life, their marriage and what love can look like. Told through poetry, prose, letters, recipes, haiku and other non-traditional forms of writing we see snippets of both Kwame’s upbringing, as well as his life as an adult with children of his own.
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This packed a powerful punch for anyone who has had a complicated relationship with family members, but at the core of it all is love. This is a departure from Kwame’s picture books, MG and YA titles, yet you can still see his trademark humor and thoughtfulness on every page. This one will stand the test of time IMO and be studied in college classrooms for years to come. This title releases May 23.

CW: parental death, grief

Why Fathers Cry at Night by Kwame Alexander is not your typical memoir. I really enjoyed that Kwame chose to tell his story in poems, letters, recipes, and memory. He writes about his experience losing his mother, the impact Nikki Giovanni had on his career as a writer, falling in love with his wife and wrestling with the process of going through the separation of divorce, and most especially his experience of being a Black father to his two daughters.

This memoir is so creative and written with such vulnerability. I am a huge fan of Kwame Alexander and all his work and I must say that his memoir adds a special addition to his catalog.

Thank you to the author and publisher for the e-arc copy!