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Sooley
Sooley: A Novel | John Grisham
17 posts | 26 read | 1 reading | 5 to read
New York Times bestselling author John Grisham takes you to a different kind of court in his first basketball novel. Samuel Sooley Sooleymon is a raw, young talent with big hoop dreamsand even bigger challenges off the court. In the summer of his seventeenth year, Samuel Sooleymon gets the chance of a lifetime: a trip to the United States with his South Sudanese teammates to play in a showcase basketball tournament. He has never been away from home, nor has he ever been on an airplane. The opportunity to be scouted by dozens of college coaches is a dream come true. Samuel is an amazing athlete, with speed, quickness, and an astonishing vertical leap. The rest of his game, though, needs work, and the American coaches are less than impressed. During the tournament, Samuel receives devastating news from home: A civil war is raging across South Sudan, and rebel troops have ransacked his village. His father is dead, his sister is missing, and his mother and two younger brothers are in a refugee camp. Samuel desperately wants to go home, but its just not possible. Partly out of sympathy, the coach of North Carolina Central offers him a scholarship. Samuel moves to Durham, enrolls in classes, joins the team, and prepares to sit out his freshman season. There is plenty of more mature talent and he isnt immediately needed. But Samuel has something no other player has: a fierce determination to succeed so he can bring his family to America. He works tirelessly on his game, shooting baskets every morning at dawn by himself in the gym, and soon hes dominating everyone in practice. With the Central team losing and suffering injury after injury, Sooley, as he is nicknamed, is called off the bench. And the legend begins. But how far can Sooley take his team? And will success allow him to save his family? Gripping and moving, Sooley showcases John Grishams unparalleled storytelling powers in a whole new light. This is Grisham at the top of his game.
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Mshookquilts
Sooley: A Novel | John Grisham
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Pickpick

Well written, but a slow read. Way too much stats for this non-sports, non-basketball girl. Sooley is from South Sudan and hopes to make his dreams come true as an American basketball player. As he attains the 1st step to this goal and is out of the country, his father is murdered by rebels and his family is displaced. You will feel like you are there. Lots of basketball excitement.

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TamTracy
Sooley: A Novel | John Grisham
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Pickpick

Great storytelling! Loved the story, characters, and overall vibe of the book. Definitely helps if you are a sports lover. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

marleed I love the JG sports collection and this one was my favorite. 2y
43 likes1 comment
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mollyrotondo
Sooley: A Novel | John Grisham
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Panpan

⭐️⭐️ So I am not a sports fan. I read this one for a book club or else I never would have picked up a sports book. There were too many play by plays for me since I have no interest in sports. I would have preferred more history on South Sudan and the life of the family stuck in a refugee camp.

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Julian.Rocca
Sooley: A Novel | John Grisham
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This book is about a kid from South Sudan who goes to America with his small team to pursue his hoop dreams.
if you like books that feature basketball, I would highly recommend this book
this novel has heavy themes of family, and of proving yourself. however the most prominent theme is that your humble roots can lead to big things in your future. throughout the book they constantly mention how poor and humble Sudan is and how they wanna get out.

MissYaremcio Nicely done Julian! I would have liked more in the summary but overall, not bad. 5.5/6 2y
2 likes1 comment
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DcSunshine
Sooley: A Novel | John Grisham
Mehso-so

I was able to finished this book during a flight. It‘s a quick read and it did pull me in. I found myself wanting more basketball game scenes and there are some twists you don‘t see coming. Like a few other Grisham books, this one isn‘t a crime/courtroom drama which I prefer of his.

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Cinfhen
Sooley: A Novel | John Grisham
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Pickpick

I never thought I‘d be enthusiastically raving about a John Grisham book but I REALLY loved his one! It‘s not a legal thriller or a courtroom drama but there‘s an underdog to root for. Samuel Sooleyman is a Sudanese athlete who‘s given the opportunity to travel to America as part of a youth basketball program. When tragedy strikes Sooley is left to make grownup decisions. This book definitely pulls at your heartstrings. Audio by Dion Graham 🙌🏻❤️

Nute It‘s been a long time since I‘ve read a book by John Grisham. Thank you for putting him back on my radar. 2y
Cinfhen It‘s a good one @Nute ♥️ 2y
Librarybelle So glad you liked this one! 2y
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Cinfhen
Sooley: A Novel | John Grisham
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If you told me I‘d be reading a book written by John Grisham that involved college basketball & African refugees I would have thought you were nuts. But I‘m hooked to the audio!!! LOVING THIS STORY🙌🏻🎧❤️ #ReadingAfrica22 #SouthSudan would also work for #Uganda ohhhh, and the AMAZING Dion Graham narrates 🥰

Cinfhen I think you‘d really like this one @Megabooks Audio is fabulous 💕💕💕 2y
Librarybelle I had no idea this one covered those areas! Learned something new today! 2y
Megabooks My mom loved this. Didn‘t realize Graham did the audiobook! 2y
BarbaraBB There he is again! John Grisham! Thanks! S might have a copy! 2y
Cinfhen Right @Librarybelle ??!! You don‘t necessarily think African refugees, basketball and Grisham but it REALLY WORKS @BarbaraBB @Megabooks 2y
77 likes5 comments
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Jnnlb
Sooley: A Novel | John Grisham
Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Sad tale

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Kboltz
Sooley: A Novel | John Grisham
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Pickpick

Thought this looked liked a good read and it is. A young Sudan boy gets chosen to come to America to play basketball. His family is left in a refugee camp in the Sudan. College basketball, March Madness and the rise to fame. A good basketball read. Sooley, Sooley, Sooley!

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GinaKButler
Sooley: A Novel | John Grisham
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Up next on audio...I‘m getting a jumpstart on our December book club pick! 🎧

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Booknerd2
Sooley: A Novel | John Grisham
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Pickpick

I love it when Grisham writes a sports book!! 🏀
This one is about a South Sudanese kid who 💜💜💜s basketball! Amazing story but it left me devastated! Never saw it coming! 😳😭😭😭😭
Highly, highly recommend!!!!

OutAndAbout This was one of the best books I‘ve read this year! 3y
Booknerd2 @OutAndAbout I agree!!! 3y
kremi This was is the one of the best books on 2021 for me!❤ 3y
Booknerd2 @kremi Yes!!! All the feels for sure! 3y
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marleed
Sooley: A Novel | John Grisham
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Pickpick

I always enjoy a John Grisham sports story so I was thrilled to fall into his turn at a basketball tell. I loved Sooley and his journey from Sudan to the UNC-Central Eagles, March Madness, and the one-and-done discussion. Oh, and I was giddy when KU made it to this final four - Rock Chalk :). I did not anticipate where Sooley‘s journey would go after his first year with the Eagles.

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OutAndAbout
Sooley: A Novel | John Grisham
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Pickpick

We listened to more of this in one sitting than I think we‘ve ever listened to anything! Incredible story. No need to understand basketball. Grisham is such an amazing storyteller.

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manirudh2000
Sooley: A Novel | John Grisham
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Pickpick

From the war ravaged badlands of South Sudan, emerges the precocious basketball talent of Samuel Sooleymon or Sooley (as he gets known), onto the College courts In US. The NBA draft is calling, & getting his family to immigrate safely to the US, from the refugee camps in Uganda is another priority! What happens next?
Please read my detailed review from here https://rb.gy/c4wvbz

Do visit and read. 🙏🏼

#books #basketball #bookreview #bookreviews

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