Blog Archives
Against All Odds
Against All Odds is a blunt and emotional memoir about growing up in poverty, surviving horrific abuse, entering the foster care system, and clawing a way toward stability, purpose, and adulthood. The story moves from early childhood trauma to the revolving door of foster homes, then toward the author’s eventual growth, education, service, and advocacy for youth in care. At its heart, the book traces the long road from hurt to healing and highlights both the failures and the rare moments of compassion within the child welfare system.
While reading, I felt the author’s voice come through with a kind of quiet force. The writing is simple, but it hits hard. Scenes of abuse and fear are described without dressing them up, which makes them linger long after you close the book. I found myself stopping every so often just to breathe and process what I had read. The honesty feels brave. It also feels painful, because the book never hides the worst moments. I appreciated that the author doesn’t try to make the trauma sound noble or inspirational. Instead, he shows how messy, lonely, and confusing it was to survive it. That kind of truthfulness made me trust him as a narrator and connect with the story more deeply.
I found myself moved by the way the author talks about resilience, not as some magical trait, but as something built slowly from tiny sparks of hope and small acts of kindness. The sections about teachers, caseworkers, and foster parents who actually cared warmed me more than I thought they would. I also felt frustrated at how often the system failed him and his brother. It made me angry and sad at the same time, because these aren’t rare stories. The mix of systemic critique and personal reflection felt honest and relatable. The author talks about mental toughness, purpose, and choice, but he also never forgets how much environment and support matter.
By the time I reached the end, I felt a mix of heaviness and admiration. This book would be a strong fit for readers who care about child welfare, social work, or youth advocacy, but it would also resonate with anyone who appreciates raw, emotional memoirs about surviving hardship. It’s tough in places, but it carries a steady, quiet hope that makes the journey worth it.
Pages: 204 | ASIN : B0D8K36XWG
We Can Do Better: Setting the Pace for the Next Generation
D. Jomo’s We Can Do Better: Setting the Pace for the Next Generation is a reflective dive into the human experience during the COVID-19 pandemic and its broader societal implications. Framed by the author’s personal journey and observations, the book seeks to inspire community engagement, compassion, and self-improvement. Jomo’s narrative weaves through topics like honoring essential workers, supporting the elderly, and balancing individualism with collectivism, all with an undercurrent of hope for a more unified society.
One thing I appreciated about this book was how Jomo tied big ideas to real-life experiences. Her retelling of the early days of the pandemic, from witnessing a quarantined cruise ship to navigating personal fears of exposure, was vivid and relatable. The chapter on essential workers, for instance, shone a necessary spotlight on those who kept the world running, from janitors to grocery clerks. Jomo shares her own awakenings, like realizing the indispensable role of local shopkeepers. It made me reflect on how often I overlook everyday heroes in my own life.
The writing is engaging and heartfelt, though it occasionally revisits similar points, especially when highlighting societal gratitude and the importance of taking action. However, this earnestness works to drive home the book’s central themes. In the chapter on the elderly, Jomo’s personal anecdotes, such as befriending a senior during her teenage years, are both touching and motivational. Her practical suggestions for improving elder care, like designing more senior-friendly housing, feel actionable rather than idealistic. That said, I did wish for a deeper exploration of some solutions rather than a broad sweep across many issues.
The discussion of individualism versus collectivism stood out as particularly thought-provoking. Jomo’s balanced view of both perspectives felt refreshing. Her call for integrating collectivist empathy into individualistic societies resonated, especially as she framed it against the backdrop of the pandemic.
We Can Do Better is a heartfelt and optimistic guide for anyone looking to contribute to a more compassionate world. It’s especially suited for readers reflecting on their role in their community or grappling with the lessons of recent global events. The book’s sincerity and focus on actionable kindness make it a worthwhile read. I’d recommend it to those who enjoy introspective works with a call to action, especially fans of socially conscious memoirs.
Pages: 96 | ASIN : B0C385Z82K
The Courage to Write
Thomas Duffy Author Interview
Social Work is an emotional story following two people overcoming obstacles and trying to find happiness. What was the inspiration behind Marc and Lauren’s bond?
I actually had a bond with a few different mental health professionals who just happened to be female over the course of my life. One who was a big help to me shaped the character of Lauren. The bond you see in the book is based on reality in many respects though certain elements of the bond were fictionalized for dramatic effect. I am thankful to have worked with great, caring, professionals who were efficient in terms of helping me get my own life back on track after some hard times.
This is an evocative story that is high in social commentary. What was your moral goal when writing this novel and do you feel you’ve achieved it?
The loss of my friend to suicide helped me to put together the courage to write this book. I wanted people to see the world through the eyes of someone down on their luck who has mental issues. I wanted people to care about a character they wouldn’t normally like instantly in real life. I certainly feel I achieved the goals I set out to fulfill with this story. I think this is my best work so far.
What character did you enjoy writing for? Was there one that was more challenging to write for?
I enjoyed writing the two central characters, Marc and Lauren, equally. Lauren was a little more challenging to write as I had to delve deep into the life of someone who helps people for a living. I’ve asked professionals to read the book and tell me if they think I was on point. I’m still waiting for their feedback. The reviews have been great. I got newspaper coverage in my hometown of Queens, NY from a local paper and a spot on an Internet TV show. I feel I did something right so far.
What story are you currently writing and when will it be available?
I am working on the sequel to my first book, “Stockboy” titled “Stockboy Nation” and it will be available in 2020 when the marketing campaign ends for “Social Work” and I scrape together more money to invest in the latest novel. I hope people will love it. “Stockboy” deserved to have more dialogue and this time I deliver in that particular regard.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website
Social Work is Thomas Duffy’s seventh book. It is a moving story about a young man named Marc who meets a social worker named Lauren after his attempt at suicide. This story is an exploration of the bond between Marc and Lauren and the problems they face in trying to overcome the obstacles both of them experience trying to achieve their own personal happiness. It is set in New York City.
Social Work
In Social Work author Thomas Duffy, follows his characters through their everyday lives as they work toward their respective goals. Marc attends counseling sessions with his social worker, Lauren. Marc has a rocky past to work through as Lauren has a budding relationship with her boyfriend, Ahmad, that she is building simultaneously.
Both main characters are so relatable. Duffy doesn’t shy away from Marc’s struggles or the struggles of those in his counseling group. Marc had taken some less than savory paths and ended up in a very dark place, eventually attempting to take his own life. Lauren shows him that there is hope and that life is worth living. Readers will identify with Marc’s lows and many will also identify with stepping into the shoes of those who help to lift others out of the abyss.
Lauren is an excellent social worker, and seems to really follow the rule book. She keeps counselor/patient boundaries very clear, at first anyway, but does seem to struggle with letting Marc go once she decides to leave her job. The two had developed a close but appropriate working relationship. She feels guilty when she decides to leave, and struggles with being another person in a list of those who have deserted Marc. Handing Marc over to another social worker felt like giving up on him or throwing him away to both parties involved.
Duffy also delves into relationship complications that both main characters experience. Both Marc and Lauren have their own problems in love. Marc falls for a series of girls who are never quite fitting for what he needs. Lauren hints that her now fiance, Ahmad, isn’t her type but provides her with stability and prospects for the future. Admittedly, Marc is her type, but that doesn’t seem to be an option.
Thomas Duffy also examines a predicament that many of us find ourselves in. Marc is ambitious. He has big dreams, but not a big bank account. Instead of following his dreams, he is forced at times to settle. He wants to get into the entertainment industry, but isn’t independently wealthy. This means he can’t afford to put his job to start up any projects. This leaves him to work in a job that is unfulfilling.
This is the second Duffy book I have read. His style is simple, including lots of back and forth conversation between characters that gives readers a fly-on-the-wall sort of feeling. We hear what the characters say to one another, but we are also privy to their internal dialogue. This gives a unique perspective into how people feel verses what they show to the world. He gives a glimpse into humanity’s dynamic that we are all familiar with but don’t often talk about.
Social Work flows well and is easy to understand. The characters are endearing and relatable which got me invested in the characters.
Pages: 272 | ISBN: 1694404684
LITERARY TITAN 