Where Tomorrows Aren't Promised: A Memoir of Survival and Hope (A Bestselling Basketball Memoir)

You do not need to be a fan of Carmelo Anthony or of basketball( although I am of both) to appreciate this book on love and appreciation for family and chosen family, a belief in oneself and others around you, gratitude, and surviving trauma and the societal ills that a child or young person should never have to bear. It is written so well and there are sentences(sentiments) that I keep re-reading, “Being True to yourself looks to a lot of people like losing your mind”. This book is a gem. I hung on every word, felt every joy and and every pain. I was sad to reach that last page. I wanted more. It is my hope that another book is written. I am invested and want to know how his family and friends are and what Melo had to navigate or endure as he plays in the NBA. This book deserves a literary award.

Bought for my husband who is a fan

When I pre-ordered Melo’s new memoir, I expected to read about his illustrious, Hall of Fame NBA career. However, the book only covers up until the day of the NBA Draft. Instead, Melo writes about his extremely challenging upbringing, where despite that all the cards were stacked against him, he perseveres. ​You don’t have to be a fan of the NBA or even basketball in general to enjoy this memoir. It is more about growing up in the projects in both Red Hook, Brooklyn, and even more so near the “Murphy Homes” in Baltimore. The Murphy homes nicknamed “Murder Homes” are the subject of HBO’s “The Wire”. Melo describes how the sounds of gunshots were a normal, everyday sound. Murder and death are commonplace and Melo’s loved ones aren’t invulnerable. Melo is very candid in this book about the mental struggles he endured in this environment which provide a powerful and moving perspective. The main hero of his story is his mother, Michelle, who made seemingly impossible ends meet to support Melo and to provide an inspiring role-model. ​Overall, Melo shares his story in a very meaningful and moving way. Already being a fan of Carmelo’s game, reading this made me become more a fan of him as an individual. Melo’s powerful message coupled with casual readability make this a memoir that I would recommend to most friends.

I bought this book as a gift for my boyfriend who is a big Carmelo Anthony fan. He absolutely loved it. This book is a powerful journey of resilience and determination, and this memoir truly captivates the reader from start to finish. The way he opens up about his struggles and triumphs, both on and off the court, is incredibly inspiring. My boyfriend couldn't put it down and raved about how much he loved reading it. If you're a fan of Carmelo Anthony or just love a good memoir that's filled with hope and perseverance, this book is a must-read!

Carmelo Anthony’s story of a youth made very tough with poverty, racism, drugs, murders and overall bleak life in the projects of a large city is not very different from that of millions of other young Black men. What makes his story and this book a little different is that he writes about it with a very optimistic viewpoint. Yes, one might say he would do that now because is a multi-millionaire with an NBA pedigree so he made good while many others didn’t. That is not the impression that he leaves when reading this book because if he wasn’t happy with his situation in his youth, he certainly knew how to make the most of his situation. Whether it was in the Red Hook section of New York or in East Baltimore, Anthony relied on family and friends to help keep him on track to excel in basketball. These did not always work out as some of his relatives ended up in prison or even murdered, but he always saw his mother as the rock of the family and always made sure that her family was fed and also provided a hand to those who needed it. Anthony’s father was not in the picture, but that was because he died when Carmelo was two. Therefore, there is very little written about him by Anthony, but he does discuss his relationship with his stepfather, which was generously described as uneven. As for what made Anthony a household name, basketball, that had just as many twists and turns as his personal life. He wanted to get into a high school where college recruiters would notice him, so he first enrolled in a Catholic school well-known for its basketball team. When that wasn’t working out as he hoped, he ended up at Oak Hill Academy in Virginia, where many future NBA stars played. When he committed early in the process to Syracuse University, he was still determined to be the best player he could be. He rewarded the Orange by being a key part of their national championship team in 2003, and it is on the following draft day where the book ends. Through it all, I was impressed with the positive energy Anthony brings to the reader, even when the topic is not pleasant such as racism or mental illness. That is the best aspect of this book that fans of Anthony will want to read, even if it does not cover any part of his professional career.

Carmelo’s audio version is performed by the man himself. He makes you believe that he is sincere as he presents his life with reference to a united front among urban souls navigating the constant dangers in poverty riddled housing. No doubt is left about an unfair experience early in his high school career which still to this day encapsulates bitterness during his recollections. It is no surprise that Carmelo followed his family’s lessons to bring in as much good into their lives as possible by offering their good hospitality as much as they could. There is also no surprise that they let in bad as well as good, but the surprise is that after it was over he is still able to tell the entire world that what is right is right after all. This justification will prove essential for the purpose this hero has to change for the better, both his and ours.

Truly enjoyed the read! I can certainly relate to the fears and hopes of growing up in the hood that Carmelo masterfully portrays. Where Tomorrow's Are Not Promised is a must read for every young person that is a dreamer and who may not see his/her way out of a life flooded with danger, poverty, and hopelessness. The hope that will only be achieved through faith and love and will lead to a good morning of dreams fulfilled if one can make it past today!

I’m a Carmelo Anthony fan and was looking forward to hear the story that lead him to Syracuse University and beyond. I was a senior at SU in 2003 when Carmelo lead the Orange to the National Championship Title. I was born and bread a ‘Cuse fan so for that to happen in my senior year was amazing! His story is written well and truly inspiring. It was very interesting learning about his life and what made him the stand up human that he is. His mom played a big role in that and is an inspiration herself! You won’t be disappointed!!