I love how this book touches on so many themes so seamlessly as Stephen comes into adulthood and navigates his twenties, from first love to family, and even grief. This book is not too long, but juggles so much so very well. I love this author's writing style. This book had so many good lines.

I heard so many people talk about Caleb Azumah Nelson's "Open Water." When I saw "Small Worlds" was coming out, I had to try it! This author deserves every bit of praise. This is gorgeous.

Thank you very much for the opportunity to read this book early! I really enjoyed it. I thought the writing was very well done, and the story kept me interested. I believe my students/patrons would also love this book and will be acquiring it for the library!

2.5, rounded up. Unfortunately this couldn’t quite live up to its predecessor for me. Perhaps it’s unfair to expect this sophomore novel to be as immersive, eloquent and emotive as Open Water was but Small Worlds just didn’t have that same punch which I was looking forward to. It felt rushed and at the same time the story felt like it dragged on; the prose felt forced and repetitive (the amount of title references was definitely overdone). I wanted to love this but unfortunately I didn’t. I’ll still read whatever Caleb Azumah Nelson releases next because Open Water remains one of my favourite books!

Thanks to the publisher for the ARC via NetGalley.

I was extremely excited for Nelson's newest novel. This novel spans across the timeline of three summers and how the main character Stephen goes through many changes in his life. 
The poetic prose of nelson is so amazing. His writing is ethereal and beautiful so it pulls you right into the story. I did enjoy the novel but at times I did find it to be slow, especially with Stephens travel back to Ghana. Although I had issues with the pacing at times I would still recommend this to any and everyone for the beautiful writing alone. 
Thank you so much to the publisher and netgalley for the eARC!

I'm going to start out by asserting that Caleb Azumah Nelson is one of the best authors alive after reading Open Water. Small Worlds solidified that for me. The story, which spans three summers, follows Stephen as he undergoes significant life changes. Growing pains, family, love, friendship, dancing, and music are all themes in this narrative.

The poetry of Nelson's prose is what I mean when I say "music," not only the literal playlist (especially the one for "Open Water") or the way he can capture the music his characters are producing or listening to in words. It's gorgeous and lyrical, repeats the theme just nicely, and brought tears to my eyes several times during the novel. This is unlike any other prose that I have read that claims to be musical. If writing is a craft, then the writer here is a master.

It was a pleasure to be fully involved in Stephen's world. The voyage from London to Ghana and back again, the drifting apart and coming together, the parallels, oh my God, the parallels. I was so moved by my emotions that I had to put my kindle down several times. I can't think of the last time that occurred. The father narrative tore me to shreds and then put me back together. Without a doubt, this was the best book I read all of 2023.

I have no problems at all. The plot, characters, tempo, writing, music, and conclusion. I don't know how it could get any better, but I'll be there to check when this book is released.


In exchange for my frank review, Grove Atlantic and NetGalley provided me with this ARC. I'm so appreciative that I got to write one of the initial reviews.

Caleb Azumah Nelson is a poet, I am convinced of that. Everything he writes flows with such grace and wisdom. This story pulled my heart in so many directions that by the end, I just wanted to sit down and feel it all.

There is something that blocks me from being able to sink into the words and characters that Nelson writes. I can't quite put my finger on why I do not like the way his prose forms and flows. It could be that I am not quite ready to tackle this particular book at this time. I will try to get to this story at another time.

This book is so much more than words on paper, it's rhythm, it's vibes, it's pure and raw emotions that transcend the pages it is written on. I felt every bit, small or big, of connection, sorrow, and joy that Caleb Azumah Nelson emoted through this story. Small Worlds has some of the most beautiful and lyrical prose I have ever read. The story takes us on a journey through Stephen's life, a young British man who is the son of Ghanian immigrants. It examines father and son relationships, grief, love, racism, and trying to find your place in the world. If "Song Cry" by Jay-Z was a book it would be Small Worlds. And yes, I did shed some tears while reading this book. Honestly, nothing I could say can do this book justice, so just read it for yourself.

I also, strongly recommend listening to the audiobook while reading along. Caleb Azumah Nelson narrates the book himself, and I just love it when an author narrates their own book. It is quite possibly the best audiobook narration I have ever listened to. Caleb Azumah Nelson absolutely nailed it. It was absolutely stunning.

I loved this second novel from Nelson. I appreciated the exploration of romantic as well as familial relationships. Beautiful writing.

Caleb Azumah Nelson is an incredible writer. His stories are always so beautifully executed. That said, I did prefer his first novel more than this. Would still recommend giving this a read but it didn't grip me as well as the other.

I read Caleb Azumah Nelson first book and it was written like poetry, music lyrics and a novel rolled into one. His voice is like no other. It’s raw a story wrapped in pain growth sadness and joy. All the things that make up a
Life and peoples stories

Small Wonders is a slow paced, lyrical book that quietly examines first world immigration, family expectations, love and racism through music and self expression. The book is a coming of age story about a boy whose is a first generation Londoner. His parents are original from Ghana and have sacrificed for their two sons to enjoy life in their adopted country. The book focuses on the youngest son who plans for his future do not pan through and how he goes about trying to find his place in the larger world and his family. I enjoyed this book but at times, despite being a short book, it felt like it was dragging. The slow pacing of the book worked at times because you felt the anguish of the characters, but at other points seemed to hold the story back. I would recommend this book to readers who don't mind a book with poetic flair that slowly unfolds.

Thanks to Netgalley and Grove Atlantic for giving me an ARC, in return for an honest and unbiased review.

~ARC provided through NetGalley~

Caleb Azumah Nelson never misses. "Small Worlds" follows a young Ghanaian man living in London and trying to figure out what direction to take in life. Like his other novel, "Open Water," this one spotlights some very tender romances and captures what it's like to date in your early twenties. However, "Small Worlds" has an equal focus on families, particularly the intergenerational tensions of the central family. The writing is gorgeous, and if you're also a lover of Azumah Nelson's use of the second person--you won't be disappointed.

One of my favorite new releases from this year.

I loved his earlier book, and this one builds on his success. A captivating read from front to back. I cannot recommend it highly enough.

This book was spectacular. I loved Open Water and was so excited to see that Small Worlds was coming out this year. Azumah Nelson did not disappoint.

Small Worlds focuses on Stephen, a Ghanaian Londoner who spends the novel exploring the complexities of his relationship (romantic and otherwise) with longtime friend Adeline; his connections with his father and Ghanaian culture; and his feelings on religion, music, and belonging. Azumah Nelson's prose is achingly poetic and his characterization and structure are just pristine. I cannot recommend this enough!!

great book wow. recommend having nothing else to do but read for a day or 2. the character development was great as as well as the plot.

Thank you to NetGalley and Grove Press for the e-arc!

This is my first Caleb Azumah Nelson book and I have heard great things about this author's writing style. This book did not disappoint in that regard. The writing is lyrical and evokes the emotions of the characters very well. This book did not necessarily have a plot, which can deter some people. However, I think Nelson captivates audiences with his characters and their choices. The book is already out at the time of this review, and I recommend checking it out!

A coming-of-age story and heartfelt musings will have you gasping for air for this book. This book was top-tier in harnessing one's emotions and propelling it for the readers to be swayed by it.

Although there is no plot and feels like a diary of a person braving the mysteries of life, it will give you a glimpse of what it would be like immersing yourself in another person's world, however big or small, vibrant or dull.

It was written to accommodate realizations in life and navigating it feels like walking in a mud. Caleb never fails to capture the emotions of his characters, making them rawer and more honest. The way he executed this with his beautiful and enigmatic prose brought the most perfect illusory of a flawed reality.

Thank you thank you to Grove Press and Netgally for approving my request of this eARC!!

I love this book, the writing is so captivating and I did notice the repeating lines throughout the book. However, in terms of characters' development, is a bit meh and feel flat to me.