I've been watching Sarah Kay's spoken word for years, I think there's an element of her performance that is just so excellent that you can't quite reach on the page. But, she's been a favourite poet of mine since the first time I heard her poem B.

Her new book of poetry A Little Daylight Left, feels like a slight departure for me. The poems feel longer and wordier than what I remember of her work and more observational. I really enjoyed these but did feel myself missing the way her best poems will end with such a good kicker that makes you see everything that came before in a new light. I like the way she can fold a metaphor or a line over and over, changing it every time.

There were definitely some poems in here that spoke to me, the ones about family and friends, especially. Even if this isn't my favourite of her books, I remain a huge fan!

Thanks to Netgalley and Random House for the ebook in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to Random House and NetGalley for this Advanced Reader's Copy!

Available April 2025

When I think of Sarah Kay, I am inevitably brought back to my high school days where I sat mesmerized by her and Phil Kay's spoken word duets which started to crystallize my own love of poetry and journey deep into other artists who would make my world - Angel Nafis & Jamila Wood & Safia Ehlillo & Fatimah Ashgar & more & more. I say this to say that Kay's poetry is invitational and warm, looking tenderly to the bright side. It is highly energizing and bursting with puns, hidden alleys, and warm cozy days. This is a poetry collection to read on the days that didn't quite turn out right, when the blunt edges of life leave a blister on your thumb, when you just want a warm cup of tea & a gentle scarf. It is soothing and healing in all the measures, vulnerable with the audience yet measured and precise in its cartographies.

I first encountered Sarah Kay's writing when I was in high school, and I have to credit her for getting me into poetry at all. I couldn't be more appreciative for the opportunity to read her second collection! These poems are simultaneously reflective and funny, anecdotal experience serving as the lifeblood for the text, the thing that keeps us moving being our relationships with the people around us and the novel little things that happen in our lives and construct our identity. Kay moves throughout our joys and sorrows, our griefs and celebrations, circling through romances and breakups and life and death and how looming threats of a relationship ending may change how we interact with it. Everywhere in the timeline. Plus the recurring image of the car thief that thought to steal poetry and left it all behind, which never failed to make me laugh. So glad to have gotten to read this. Thank you Sarah Kay (and everyone who has worked to get this collection to my phone screen), I can't wait to reread this every year for the rest of my life, probably.

Some of my favorites from A Little Daylight Left by Sarah Kay:

• “I am seventeen and everyone”
• “Beginning is a season”
• “Dreaming boy”
• “Table games” (This one, ugh, so good!)
• “Tsubu”

And this quote hit me hard: “Wherever you’ve been, was where you needed to be, & whoever you are now, welcome back, beloved.”

Sarah Kay’s poetry is just beautiful, full of raw emotion and depth, but with a simplicity that makes you feel like you’re hearing someone speak directly to you. It’s the kind of poetry that sticks with you long after you read it.

Big thanks to NetGalley for the e-book ARC!

Sarah Kay’s poetry is nothing short of breathtaking. Her ability to find beauty in the small, everyday moments and transform them into something so raw and relatable is truly a gift. This collection is packed with emotion, from heartbreak and fear to resilience and connection, and her words stay with you long after you’ve finished reading. Her imagery is so vivid, it’s like she’s plucked the thoughts right out of your own mind, giving you the perfect way to express feelings you didn’t even realize you had. I hadn’t read her work before this, but now I’m hooked and can’t wait to dive into more of her poetry—and definitely plan to listen to her spoken word performances, too. What an incredible talent!

I've been a fan of Sarah Kay since "No Matter the Wreckage" and this volume reminded me why. Simple and vulnerable, her poems are accessible in a good way. Full of insight about life and humanity, and lots of little quiet moments.

I can’t remember exactly when I first heard Sarah Kay’s poetry - I think it was a video of her TED Talk when I was in college. In any case, I fell in love with her writing immediately. She’s one of those poets who I regularly find myself thinking about and searching out my favorite of her poems to re-read. I was thrilled when I saw she had a new book coming out, and I absolutely loved it. As with all her writing, the poems in this collection start out with a small observation or moment and bloom into a gorgeous insight into humanity.

A Little Daylight Left was my introduction to the work of Sarah Kay, and I have to say that I was completely smitten by this beautiful collection about navigating our way through life's highs and lows. Ms Kay's free verse style lends itself perfectly to a certain vulnerability, and I found myself wanting to embrace the good, the bad, and the ugly of our shared human condition. Recommended.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing-Random House for an ARC.

I love Sarah Kay’s work. Her poetry is really good. This book shows so many things. A bit of joy, humor, and other things. Sarah’s poems always touched me a lot. She’s an amazing poet. Thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for giving me an opportunity to read this book and do a review.

I was familiar with some of Sarah Kay’s work, thanks to many nights watching spoken poetry on YouTube.

This collection contains lovely poems about the human experience, some making you feel more deeply, others getting you to appreciate the whimsy and magic in this world we live in.
Some of the imagery or detailed anecdotes woven into the poems stick with you: I found myself thinking about bits of it throughout the days after I finished the book. I really loved how even the most personal quirks can be related to our own mundane life.

Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Random House for the opportunity to read this!

This is a deep reflection of being human and how we can discover more about ourselves as we work through the hard things.
Kay has a strong voice and brings in real feelings and vulnerability.
A collection of real and human poetry.


Thanks NetGalley for this ARC.

4.5
She's been one of my favorite spoken word artists for a long time. I love her vulnerability, her humor and her cleverness and wit with words. Kay's poems made my cry, giggle and want to read them aloud and share them with those closest to me. Thank you to the author and netgalley for the opportunity to read this gorgeous book.

4.5 stars. Thank you to NetGalley and Random House/Dial Press for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. This collection of poems didn't disappoint as it covers what it means to be human - self, belonging, love, struggle, grief and heartbreak. I'm hoping there will be an audiobook or the author will tour to promote it as the text is definitely meant to be read aloud.

This was a good collection of poems. I like the collection, and some were better than others. I do like how they related and how it flowed. I did not read the first collection of poems, so I am interested in that book too!

Thank you to NetGalley, to the author, and to the publisher for this complementary ARC in exchange for my honest review!!!

Sarah Kay definitely has a way with words, that’s for sure. This is an absolutely beautiful and powerful collection of free verse poetry. Sarah finds the unique and heartfelt moments in everyday life and describes them perfectly. She is raw and honest in her storytelling, sharing memories of how it feels to be female, how to it feels to be afraid or unworthy, how it feels to be heartbroken, and much more. This collection expresses the importance of finding human connection amongst the risks and dangers of living. I have never read her poetry before but will be seeking out more of it in the future. I am also inspired to look up recordings of her spoken word poetry as I would love to hear her recite it herself. Thank you to NetGalley, Sarah Kay, and Random House Publishing |The Dial Press for the gifted ARC in exchange for an honest review. My review will be posted to my Goodreads page on 11/9/24 (link below).

What a beautiful collection of poetry. This is my introduction to Kay, and I’m glad I had the chance to read it! These poems are raw, emotional, and vulnerable. I had quite a few favorites, but Unreliable & The Minister of Loneliness were the top.