Why Fathers Cry at Night

A Memoir in Love Poems, Recipes, Letters, and Remembrances

By: Kwame Alexander

Narrated by: Kwame Alexander

This powerful memoir from a #1 New York Times bestselling author and Newbery Medalist features poetry, letters, recipes, and other personal artifacts that provide an intimate look into his life and the loved ones he shares it with.

In a powerfully intimate and non-traditional (or "new-fashioned") memoir, Kwame Alexander shares snapshots of a man learning how to love. He takes us through stories of his parents: from being awkward newlyweds in the sticky Chicago summer of 1967, to the sometimes-confusing ways they showed their love to each other, and for him. He explores his own relationships—his difficulties as a newly wedded, 22-year-old father, and the precariousness of his early marriage working in a jazz club with his second wife. Alexander attempts to deal with the unravelling of his marriage and the grief of his mother's recent passing while sharing the solace he found in learning how to perfect her famous fried chicken dish. With an open heart, Alexander weaves together memories of his past to try and understand his greatest love: his daughters.

Full of heartfelt reminisces, family recipes, love poems, and personal letters, Why Fathers Cry at Night inspires bravery and vulnerability in every reader who has experienced the reckless passion, heartbreak, failure, and joy that define the whirlwind woes and wonders of love.

Immediately on repeat!

This was beautiful. I do want to get a paper copy for another reread, but don't miss it when a poet does their own audio! Kwame forever! 🙌🏼

The Nikki Giovanni content is so good, but I'm an elementary school librarian, so I'm invested. ❤️

Absolutly beautiful

I don’t possess the poet’s mastery of words, so I will just say; read it, listen to it, gather with your family and read aloud, listen again, and again. You will laugh, cry, think, feel, learn about yourself and about others close to you. This book is a gift to all of us. Thank you Kwame Alexander!

As a father, on point

Raw, introspective of encounters with ours. Power of holding on to thoughts that have aged 20+ years and to hopefully look toward tomorrow

Beautiful book.

Every word I found to be touching, and there are recipes, too! Pure pleasure with excellent narration.

Just beautiful...

This is a book for the heart and soul. Loved all of it. The writing, the gorgeous narration and OH MY GOODNESS the poetry. This is balm for the soul.