Official Review: Trying to Keep Moving Forward

[AnaF]

[Following is the official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Trying to Keep Moving Forward" by Alfonzo Al Bailey.]

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Trying to Keep Moving Forward is an autobiographical novel written by Alfonzo "Al" Bailey.

Ever since he was little, Al Bailey’s life hasn’t been easy. After a traumatic event that would scar him for the rest of his life, he was placed in foster care by his mother. He was perceived as a troubled child and because of that he passed from home to home, making some really bad choices along the way and getting himself involved people that were somewhat sly. His teens years weren’t an easy ride and the fact that people – especially the staff of some of these places – didn’t know how to deal with who he was, made it a lot harder for him to fit in.

These experiences shaped him into what he’s today and helped him develop a strong sense of what should be done to help others that have been in the system to change their future.

Usually I’m not the biggest fan of these types of books. It’s great that people find some way to turn their lives around and achieve their goals and that they feel the need to share their story with the rest of the world. Yes, it’s great when people are able to do that but, in general, those book aren’t exactly my “cup of tea” and I never include them on my to be read pile. However, Trying to Keep Moving Forward was an interesting surprise and I actually ended up liking it more than I thought I would.

I really liked the fact that the author focused just on the people that had made a big difference on his life instead of getting himself lost in details and people that didn’t add that much to his story. His relationship with his grandmother was really special and I was pleased to see that he really treasured the moments he had spent with her and that he always kept in mind the important values that she had passed on to him.

I also liked the fact that the author didn’t try to embellish the time he spent in all those homes and what happened there. The lack privacy, how they were treated and how the staff – and even other kids in the same home - took advantage of them, was somewhat shocking. It felt a bit more raw and honest, which I appreciated.

Finally, I would just like to say that I liked the fact that Al Bailey wasn’t afraid to admit he had done something wrong or had made a poor choice at a certain point of his life. It showed that he had grown since then and that he had matured enough to understand what he had done and that he had learned something from that.

Overall, I really enjoyed reading this book and I give 3 out of 4 stars. It’s really well organized as far as its chapters go because each one focuses on a person or on a specific period of time that was important to Al Bailey’s life. It was easier to pinpoint the people and places that had helped him grow and what had made fight for what he wanted.

A compelling story from a man that didn’t have an easy life but strove to go somewhere and to give back to the community that had helped him grow.

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[Zannie]

This is a really good review. Well Well thought out and enjoyable to read

[AnaF]

Thank you