However it did kind of bug me that the relationship with Muddy was never defined (but maybe that's my hetero bias of wanting things to be neatly labeled?) Is Muddy Ace? Is he attracted to Harley or does he just love him? Ultimately does it matter? NA: It sounds like you had a very logical and strategic approach, but you also shared that you initially started with a story you didn’t fully believe in. You eventually wrote the book that would become Small Joys, could you tell us a little more about this story?

Elvin James Mensah's Small Joys is breathtaking and heartrending, by turns hilarious and devastating and surprising and wild. Mensah's prose makes the intangible deft and tremendous — from the balm of friendship, to the beauty of queerness, and the all-encompassing elixir of community. Tender, thrilling, and honest; Small Joys is a beam of light.' Bryan Washington, author of MemorialMany issues are covered in this book, including race, sexuality, mental health and suicidal thoughts but all are dealt with delicately and with a tenderness that really sets it apart from other books. Elvin James Mensah is a name that we will be hearing a lot of in the future and I can't wait to hear him discuss his work and writing process at this year's festival.

An unexpected friendship saves a young man’s life in this moving, utterly charming debut about chosen family, the winding road to happiness, and the grace of second chances. I adored Small Joys – a sweet, moving, funny, strikingly open story. I don’t know if I’ve ever rooted so much for a protagonist as I did for Harley – what a gorgeous novel.’ Jennifer Saint, No. 1 bestselling author of Elektra I slept well into the evening. When I woke up, I heard loud voices outside. I didn’t want to get out of bed: the thought of doing so terrified me. At university, hearing other people’s voices in the communal area meant I wouldn’t leave my room at all, not even for the bathroom, until it was pin-­drop silent. But I couldn’t do that now since Chelsea had texted from the living room, asking me to come out. And not wanting to irritate her, I did. Harley’s story is one of self-acceptance, self-love, and healing. As he opens up and shares his struggles with his friends and family, he finds the support he needs to move forward. Mensah’s portrayal of Harley’s journey is moving and powerful, capturing the emotional depth and complexity of human relationships. The novel is full of engaging characters, each with struggles and secrets, and their interactions are realistic and authentic. Small Joys is a thought-provoking and heart-warming read that will leave readers contemplating the power of friendship, the importance of support, and the resilience of the human spirit. Muddy is everything Harley is not: ostensibly heterosexual, freewheeling, confident in his masculinity. Despite their differences, a deep friendship blossoms between them when Muddy takes Harley under his wing and shows him everything that, in his eyes, makes life worth living: bird-watching, karaoke, rugby, and the band Oasis.

BOOKS ON THE TBR STACK

I guess I was willing to go along with this just being unlabeled except there is a very strange scene toward the end of the book with a totally out of character proposition to which we never got a response. That annoyed me. Corina Diez from Random House Publishing Group offered me an eARC of this book, and I’m so happy that she did because I’m not sure if I would have requested this book on NetGalley. I loved Elvin James Mensah’s descriptive and lyrical writing, and the story felt really personal to me. I am eagerly looking out for Elvin’s next novel! NA: I think many people can relate to your experience, but how did you keep yourself focused on the vision when people around you expressed doubt? Thisheartwarming, witty, and movingdebut isone of the most charming books you’ll read this year. Exploring love, friendship, grief, and the bittersweet joy of being young, Small Joys is utterly beautiful.” —Louise O’Neill,author of Idol I think that, in part, is also what makes the darker sections of the book feel less so. It’s a book that covers some heavy topics — religious homophobia (complete with attempted exorcism), attempted suicide and depression, dementia — but because Harley is so loved by all of his friends, because they all of them so love each other too, it’s like there’s a clear safety net for each and every discussion. Parts of the book were heavy, but they always still felt wrapped in love and care.