A Collection of Thoughts

I picked this book up in New Orleans because I liked the poem, Ode to a Black Woman. A beautiful poem for black women. One I think all of my nubian sisters need to read. I am a college student in the Georgia area and I volunteer at a senior citizens' home. I read this poem to several of the women I care after and they wanted me to read more. When I started from the beginning with the story called Self, about the author's father, these women came alive. Before you know it, I was reading this book to a great number of men and women at the home. They absolutely adore this book.It was like some of them awoke from the dead. Before you know it, they were telling me stories of the Old Days, Civil Rights Movement, and Black and White relationships. Being from the Maine area and only 23 years old, this is a learning experience for me. My friends (I call them my friends) are teaching me stuff I will never learn in history books. When I read Self, Bridge of Life and N-word to them, they light up and can't wait to tell me a story about the Old Days. I have had this book for about two weeks and have read it about 10 times or more to my friends. Also, the poetry throughout the book is great. This is a good book. I employ all of you who have an older parent, grandparent or friend to read this book to them. I know they will like it like my friends like it. I'm glad I read the whole thing. Blood Brothers is terrific and Five Days opened my eyes. Unfortunately, I know sisters like the two portrayed in the book. This was too ghastly for me. My overall impression of this book is terrific. This is a good storyteller and poet.

A great first novel by John Wooden. A Collection of Thoughts is appropriately named. It put many thoughts on my mind about love and relationships, family, the world we live in and my own existence. Often you find that the inside of a book does not do justice to the title and cover of a book, but in this instance, the novel within did fit the name and cover of the book. In this case, you can judge a book by its cover, because every story had me captivated and filled with emotions. I could relate to every story. Beware though, from story to story, this book is an emotional rollercoaster. It will have you smiling one minute and feeling sad the next. The last story, Definition of Life, brought it home for me. He let the readers know that he is all too human, but evidently he learned from his past mistakes. I like how he ended the book talking about how he had to deal with his emotional baggage and deal with himself. Not many Black men or otherwise will admit to having emotional baggage. So a pat on the back to Wooden for that. He is a good storyteller and I like the combination of fiction and non-fiction. I got the sense his short stories backed up his personal stories. This is a good read. I have recommended it to my book club. I hope he is not a one book wonder.

I highly recommend John Wooden's "Collection of Thoughts." He stunned me with his description of his father in the opening chapter, "Self." I could vividly imagine his father's strength, dealing with racism, discrimination and the ways of the South, while trying to raise a son to be a strong, black man. Growing up in the South myself, it was touching to read about a strong Black man, who had problems dealing with Mr. Charlie, but was able to teach his son a lesson or two about life. This chapter set the stage for me. It brought back memories of my father and brothers relationships.I loved his short stories. All were eloquently done, especially Victim and Blood Brothers, but Five Days did it for me (are there really men out there like Andre and Tommy). As a counselor, I tell young sisters do not give up good men for the lowlifes of the world, the so-called bad boy and Five Days proved my point. Reading Mr. Wooden's life experiences and his short stories, I am convinced his short stories are also a part of his life on paper. Five Days is noteworthy, a mandatory read for all females who are thinking about leaving that good man for that intriguing bad boy and for females who want to know what is a good man.However, the chapter that really stroked me was N-word. As one who believes in teaching our youths and never forgetting the past, the historical perspective of this story is worth buying this book. Though I wished there were more historical facts in the story, I loved the way he meshed the deragatory use and abuse of the word with the many historical facts of why we should not use the word. Additionally, he let Black America know that did is not a word used only by folks in the inner city, but also by middle and upper class Black America, a disgrace throughout all of our social classes. For a first novel, this is a writer with something to say. Highly recommend this book to all and looking forward to other books by Mr. Wooden. Job well done.

This was a exceptional debut from a author with a fresh and vibrant outlook on life. The stories and characters were convincing and vivid. Mr.Wooden, tackles life's trials and tribulations splendidly leaving you speechless. This book exposes issues that you will be able to relate to no matter what age you are. The stories will leave you thinking, crying, laughing..so intense you will not want it to end. A Collection of Thoughts is a great source of food for the mind that will spread to heart and soul.

A page-turner! A great blend of fiction of non-fiction. I could not put the book down once I started reading it. Two stories, Victim & Blood Brothers, are destined to be American favorites. This is a book I did not want to end. For a new author, I love the way Wooden put his thoughts together. This is a must read!