Hold Love Strong — Matthew Aaron Goodman

Hold Love Strong is a poignant novel following the life of Abraham Singleton, a vibrant and intense young man who has survived a tough life in the housing projects in Queens.Abraham is born into a world laden with the obstacles inherent in an impoverished urban community. With the rise of the crack epidemic and the HIV crisis, he and his family are tossed into a tumultuous time of heartache and suffering, but in spite of the harrowing losses, Abraham remains standing, buoyed by his family and their unconditional love. The offer of a college scholarship offers Abraham a way out, but what of those who will be left behind? Leaving is a necessity but the projects are part of his DNA. Hold Love Strong is a soulful and thought-provoking novel that speaks to our current times. Matthew has composed a paean to the power of family and belonging, and a universal story about the incredible capacity of the human spirit that resonates long after readers finish the book.A wake-up call to America, Hold Love Strong is a portrayal of will, survival, love, and the flammable relationship between this country and its housing projects. In the end, it is also a book about the incredible and universal capacity of the human spirit.