There's Always This Year

In There's Always This Year, Hanif Abdurraqib takes readers on a profound and lyrical journey that seamlessly blends the worlds of basketball, personal memoir, and social commentary. Set against the backdrop of Columbus, Ohio, during the 1990s, the book explores a period marked by the rise of legendary figures like LeBron James and countless other athletes whose stories often go untold. Through the lens of his own experiences, Abdurraqib delves into the heart of what it means to "make it" in a world where success is often determined by rigorous standards and societal expectations.

Abdurraqib's exploration is not just about the game of basketball; it’s about the broader implications of talent, the burdens of excellence, and the ever-present tension between personal aspirations and public perception. The narrative unfolds with rich, intimate storytelling, weaving historical contexts with personal anecdotes. The author examines the notions of success, who earns it, and how societal structures can influence our perceptions of greatness and failure.

There's Always This Year is a heartfelt reflection on the concept of role models and the complex, often contradictory, relationships we have with them. Abdurraqib’s writing is a masterful blend of joy, pain, solidarity, comfort, outrage, and hope. Each page brims with his characteristic poetic prose, inviting readers to radically reimagine their understanding of culture and themselves.

From tender reminiscences of his own youth to critical analyses of sports as a cultural institution, Abdurraqib offers a narrative that is both deeply personal and universally resonant. His exquisite writing serves as both an elegy for the past and a clarion call for a more inclusive and empathetic future.

There's Always This Year is a triumph from one of America’s most celebrated and insightful writers, presenting a poignant and personal reflection on basketball, talent, and the meaning of success. It is a must-read for anyone interested in the intersections of sports, identity, and society.