Hanif Abdurraqib has such a unique way of blending personal stories with pop culture in all his books. Here he uses basketball, specifically his love for the game and the heartbreak of being a lifelong fan, as a way to explore bigger themes like grief, hope, and belief. Intermixed is discussions on police violence and the heartbreak of missing home. 

This book is perhaps the most poetic of his, and extremely reflective of his own life. Sometimes it wanders a bit, but I didn’t mind; it felt like listening to a friend talk about something they are passionate about, even when it hurts.

If you’ve ever been too emotionally invested in a team or just love thoughtful, lyrical writing, this one’s worth picking up.