Hammond Archives - Jonathan LaPoma

Posts Tagged ‘Hammond’

HAMMOND Earns 5 Stars from High Ranked Goodreads Reviewer

August 14th, 2019

India’s third “Most Followed” and “Best Reviewer” on Goodreads, Archit Ojha, had this to say about Jonathan LaPoma’s novel HAMMOND:

“Jonathan LaPoma is one of the best authors I have come across. He makes it a point to stir the emotions in your heart you never knew existed…Books like this make you think after you are done reading it and they stay with you, for the better and worse…The writing is poetic, lyrical and anything you associate with the word “melody”…

The pages turned themselves, a ride full of emotions…You stick with his till the end. Boy! You wish there is no end.

I have been given a vivid picture of Buffalo through this novel and I cannot wait to be there in person…The twists and turns his life takes and then, the ending, a flawless ending…I give Hammond a perfect 5 stars.”

To read the review, click here.

HAMMOND, #1 Hot New Release on Amazon Australia

February 22nd, 2019

Jonathan LaPoma’s newest coming-of-age novel, HAMMOND, is the #1 Hot New Release in Sports Fiction and the #8 Hot New Release in Coming of Age Fiction on Amazon Australia.

It’s also the #2 bestseller in Sports Fiction on Amazon UK and Australia, and the #3 bestseller in Sports Fiction on Amazon Canada.

HAMMOND Gets Another 5-Star Review

January 23rd, 2019

Author and blogger Yawatta Hosby gave Jonathan LaPoma’s new novel, HAMMOND, 5 stars:

“The author did a great job with characterization and voice. The drama and angst was very well done as well. I prayed for them to win the basketball championship so they could have something good happen in their lives. Did they win? Did they lose? You’ll have to read the book to find out.

I RECOMMEND the book to read.”

To read the full review, click here.

Kirkus Reviews Recommends HAMMOND

November 16th, 2018

Kirkus Reviews, one of the most world’s most respected book review publications, recommended Jonathan LaPoma’s latest novel, HAMMOND:

“Earnest, hardscrabble story of restless youth, mental illness, and the saving grace of sports-inspired camaraderie . . . Compelling . . . successfully captures the anger, frustration, and freedom of kids on the brink of adulthood.

Read the full review by clicking here.

Almendro Arts will publish HAMMOND on December 18, 2018.

California Bookwatch calls HAMMOND “A Revealing Standout”

November 5th, 2018

Diane Donovan of California Bookwatch gave Jonathan LaPoma’s latest coming-of-age novel, HAMMOND, a positive review:

“Lingers in the mind far after its conclusion . . . replete with interpersonal interactions, personal revelations, and an overlay of mental illness perspective rare in a coming-of-age story. Readers who look for compelling sagas of mental illness struggles will find Hammond a revealing standout in the literature which grabs the reader’s attention and swings through a life that too often feels stuck. Few stories can capture this gritty and stark existence, and Hammond is reminiscent of the classic I Never Promised You A Rose Garden, with its powerful, introspective view of an evolving (and, sometimes, devolving) young man.”

HAMMOND will be published by Almendro Arts on December 18, 2018.

The US Review of Books Calls HAMMOND “Laudable”

November 5th, 2018

Mark Heisey of The US Review of Books gave Jonathan LaPoma’s latest coming-of-age novel, HAMMOND, a positive review:

“Succeeds on many levels, LaPoma’s use of James, a mentally ill youth troubled by the destructive tendencies of his family, as the central character is laudable. His unique worldview gives the narrative an unforgettable flavor. Fans of Jim Carroll’s Basketball Diaries will find many similar themes in this book…These boys are dealing with everything from bullying to basketball, drugs, sex, faith and favoritism. Lapoma does a good job catching the bravado and fears of this age. In addition, he records the internal struggles and confusion of his protagonist in realistic and abundant detail…Readers who enjoy a coming-of-age tale with lots of introspection will likely find this book a good match.”

HAMMOND will be published by Almendro Arts on December 18, 2018

First Reviews for HAMMOND are Positive

October 19th, 2018

The first reviews for Jonathan LaPoma’s coming-of-age literary novel HAMMOND have been positive:

“This is the book that marks Jonathan LaPoma as my favorite underrated author . . . One of the most genuinely emotional novels I have read in a hot minute . . . So emotionally in-depth that at times I felt I was getting overwhelmed by ghosts of my own depression. I don’t remember the last book I read that had so much truth and understanding packed into its words (perhaps it was The Summer of Crud)… Hammond is truly a masterpiece of the coming-of-age genre. My biggest hope for this book is that it gets the attention it deserves.”

-Audrey L, Netgalley Reviewer

“The characters are well structured and the plot is thick, making Hammond a great book for those looking for a read that takes you into a whole other world (so to speak).”

-Keirstin Smith, Netgalley Reviewer

To read the full reviews, check out HAMMOND’s Goodreads page.

Jon LaPoma Finishes First Draft his Latest Novel, HAMMOND

June 24th, 2018

Jonathan LaPoma finished the first draft of his latest novel, HAMMOND, which follows a group of troubled boys who play basketball at a city court in Buffalo as a means to escape their abusive households. LaPoma hopes to publish the book by Christmas.