This frickin collection....is in such perfect conversation with No Matter the Wreckage. As a born and raised city-kid, the collection spoke to me in a way I didn't really even know poetry could do. I've always been such a fan of Sarah Kay's, but this was a monumental read for me.

5/5 ⭐️

Thank you NetGalley, Random House, and Sarah Kay for an ARC of A Little Daylight Left in exchange for my honest review.

What in absolutely incredible collection of poems. I’m actually so upset that this doesn’t come out until April because I really want a physical copy of this book! It’s so good! Very honest and vulnerable without feeling like a singular existence. Describing the common human experience. Very relatable feelings are being described, so even if you haven’t experienced the exact experience it’s very likely you or someone you know someone has experienced those emotions. I really enjoyed the language used and the tone. Very funny at times.

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House for the ARC!

Sarah Kay’s wonderful "A Little Daylight Left" covers a lot of ground for such a tiny book—it’s a group of poems culled from the decade following the poet’s previous collection, and the intervening years offer a rich selection of themes, precise language, and memorable imagery.

It’s unfortunate that these pre-release reviews aren’t supposed to include quotes because Kay’s writing is defined by the kind of off-the-cuff depth that punctuates a great conversation with friends. You know the ones—where you’re all rambling about nothing in particular until someone absentmindedly stumbles into a bit of wisdom that will stick with you forever.

"A Little Daylight Left" is filled to the brim with that kind of emotionally focused insight.

There’s a humility at play here, both personally and poetically. Kay opens with “A Bird Made of Birds,” a piece that celebrates her own limitations and argues that poems can’t compare to real life. These poems are designed to be approachable, and they speak to the poet’s background in spoken word—if a poem doesn’t bring people together, then what’s the point?

As much as I love the book, it certainly has a few of the quirks one might associate with spoken word poetry, and readers will likely have mixed feelings. For example, a recurrent device is to open lines with ampersands, and while that "yes, and" energy lends momentum and a welcome cadence to performed poetry, it does the opposite in print here—disrupting and deflating Kay’s rich language and imagery. Similarly, the spoken word influence also means that most of the poems have a very similar build to a mic drop-style turn, which distracts a little bit from the strength of the language itself. Finally, while the time between collections guarantees that each individual poem is carefully crafted and memorable, it makes the book as a whole feel a little unfocused. Think of it more like a playlist than an album.

Despite these minor critiques, "A Little Daylight Left 'is so winsome in its earnestness that they feel almost irrelevant. In “Worth Celebrating,” we read about the way snow has broken otherwise fatal falls, with the speaker noting that nature’s destructive power can also be generative. “Table Games” is another remarkable piece—a pun-laden recollection of a breakup at Whole Foods. It’s sweet-spirited and achingly specific, and like every other poem in the book, it will either invite readers in with its simplicity or frustrate them with its bluntness.

"A Little Daylight Left" might resonate most with Sarah Kay's spoken word audience, but I think most people will find something to appreciate here, so I recommend checking it out, even if you don't consider yourself "a poetry person."

While the poems and art included in A Little Daylight Left by Sarah Kay were well constructed and well thought out, it struggled to keep my attention.

i’ve waited years for new sarah kay poetry, and this book blew me away. its tender and joyful and heartbreaking and so, so beautifully written. it captures the same playful spirit as NO MATTER THE WRECKAGE but feels more mature. her first book inspired me to write, and A LITTLE DAYLIGHT LEFT inspired me to keep writing. can’t recommend this enough.

A Little Daylight Left is Kay's second poetry collection and it hits the same beautiful, lyrical notes as her first. These poems touch on topics of love and loneliness, growing up and growing old. They are sometimes serious and sad, discussing our mortality and what it means to be a person, and other times happy and hopeful, reflecting on childhood joy, friendship, and love. You definitely don't need to read any of Kay's other work to enjoy this collection, but it always a pleasure to see her performances so readers should definitely check those out. There's a flow to her writing that is really beautiful, especially when read aloud. This poetry collection would be great for people who enjoy lyrical writing, poetry that feels conversational or confessional, or really anyone looking into getting into poetry.

Sarah Kay never fails to impress, and A Little Daylight Left continues in that vein. A tender, sweet, and oft emotional collection that takes you on a journey through what feels like Kay's life.

A vulnerable poetry collection that looks at the bittersweet realities around facing ourselves when our future is here.

Sarah Kay and I are the same age, and I first found her spoken poetry when she released "If I should have a Daughter" 13 years ago. I bought and cherished her book, "No Matter the Wreckage", which was very much about self-discovery and the future. I felt so personally connected to that book and like the poems were mirroring my experiences with the world. A Little Daylight Left has me feeling the same way.

A Little Daylight feels like a life-update or a response to the call in that previous book. Like Sarah-now is speaking to Sarah-then and updating her on what has happened. Reflecting on her feelings from over a decade ago, and measuring herself against that version of herself that she had imagined.

Sarah brings the same cleverness in her writing that makes it hard to pull just one line out. Each poem is speaking to itself and building off itself. She weaves words together so tightly that you don't notice the full beauty of the poem until you get to the end and step back. I often would finish a poem, just to go back and read it again.

I highlighted so much in this book. I even just highlighted the title of the poem, "My great grandchildren finally get skeptical", because it was easier than highlighting the whole poem.

A few of my favourite quotes
- Nice poem you got there. Would be a shame if death was inevitable & you couldn't fit your arms around it.
- I am not an optimist but I play one in the group chat
- Where is my prize for most unreliable narrator? I would never lie to you, but I lie to me all the time.
- I am just three anxieties in a trench coat - always the old timey detective, never the femme fatale.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for providing this ARC.

This book is best read after going through your high school yearbook and trying to find where you left yourself.

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.