'Ordinary Light' is Tracy K. Smith's memoir that presents a poignant journey through her coming-of-age amidst racial, familial, and spiritual quests. Raised with boundless love and deeply-rooted faith, Tracy navigates her childhood in suburban California, contrasting with her parents' experiences in the Civil Rights era. As she stands on the cusp of independence, entering Harvard and later aspiring to write, her mother's battle with cancer profoundly shapes her understanding of belief, heritage, and self-identity. Smith's narrative weaves together a tapestry of memories, reflecting on her formative years and the complexities of being black in America. With a blend of lyrical elegance and candid humor, 'Ordinary Light' is a reflective odyssey through the landscapes of heart and home, capturing the universal essence of growth and self-discovery.