Uncommon Favor: Basketball, North Philly, My Mother, and the Life Lessons I Learned from All Three
Rating: 3.5 of 5 stars
Pages: 256 pages
Published: May 2025
Published: May 2025
Overall, Staley emphasizes the importance of hard work, determination, resilience, and the support of mentors and family. She recounts specific challenges and struggles and how she’s overcome them. Her stories are not presented in a chronological fashion, and she often uses some of the same situations to highlight multiple lessons. Getting a behind the scene peek into some of her public events, like holding the U.S. flag at the 2004 Olympic opening ceremonies, was insightful.
I enjoyed her stories, but I didn’t always appreciate the delivery. I think Staley could have benefited from some further editing. The biggest challenge I had as a reader had to do with my expectations. I went into the book thinking it would be more of a memoir, but Staley didn’t really share a lot of personal details. Much of what was shared was more factual in nature and could have easily been discovered online. To be fair, she states multiple times that she is a private person, so I suspect that is why a lot of her opinions and depictions were surface level. But on the other hand, if you enjoy your privacy, why write a biographical book? Having said that, I do feel like she began to open up a little more in the final third of the book.
Recommendation: I respect what the author has attempted and appreciate her attempt at vulnerability, but the book left me wanting more. When I have read other stories like this, I almost feel like I’ve become friends with the author as I’ve gotten to know them through their work. Uncommon Favor told me basic things about the author and her life but not necessarily the why or what resulted from those happenings. Maybe Staley will write another book post-career where she can divulge a little more.
Recommendation: I respect what the author has attempted and appreciate her attempt at vulnerability, but the book left me wanting more. When I have read other stories like this, I almost feel like I’ve become friends with the author as I’ve gotten to know them through their work. Uncommon Favor told me basic things about the author and her life but not necessarily the why or what resulted from those happenings. Maybe Staley will write another book post-career where she can divulge a little more.
Until next time ... Read on!
Regardless of whether I purchase a book, borrow a book, or receive a book in exchange for review, my ultimate goal is to be honest, fair, and constructive. I hope you've found this review helpful.
Regardless of whether I purchase a book, borrow a book, or receive a book in exchange for review, my ultimate goal is to be honest, fair, and constructive. I hope you've found this review helpful.
