Newbody Training System LLC, (NTS) on Prospect Ave in West Orange, NJ, one of the newest members of the West Orange African Heritage Organization, sponsored their July 21 Book Club event. NTS is owned and operated by Frederick and Lisa Neal. It is a full-service private certified wellness training facility.
Everyone enjoyed the refreshments and comradery while gathered once again to share thoughts and emotions woven within the pages of this captivating book. The WOAHO Book Club is a sanctuary for book enthusiasts, where we explore different literary realms, embrace diverse perspectives, and forge lasting friendships over our shared love for reading.
This month’s book “When Justice Sleeps” is a political thriller written by Stacey Abrams. Ms. Abrams is a bestselling author, an entrepreneur, and a political leader. She served eleven years in the Georgia House of Representatives, seven as Minority Leader. She has launched multiple organizations devoted to voting rights, training, and hiring young people of color, and tackling social issues at the state, national, and international levels. She is the founder of Fair Fight, Fair Count, and the Southern Economic Advancement Project.
The story involves a life-threatening struggle that faces law clerk Avery Keene when her boss, United States Supreme Court Justice Howard Wynn, slips into a coma. Justice Wynn represents the swing vote in many important cases, including an upcoming merger between an American biotech company and a genetics firm in India. Shocked to discover that Justice Wynn has given her power of attorney over his medical and financial decisions and has named her his guardian, Avery realizes that the proposed merger involves a biogenetic virus that has been weaponized to kill anyone belonging to a specific genetic group. With a rogue president and his Homeland Security henchman determined to silence her, Avery must figure out Justice Wynn’s cryptic chess-based clues to discover the truth before a new and terrifying horror is loosed on an unsuspecting world.
The book sparked a spirited discussion, with members passionately sharing their favorite characters and most unforgettable moments. As they unraveled the mysteries together, they marveled at the author's skill in blending a suspenseful legal drama, the game of chess, with a nod to current events. Everyone thought that the book could be adapted very well into a film. Members voiced their opinions on actors who would be great at bringing the story and characters to life on the big screen.
To wrap up the evening, upcoming reading suggestions were discussed. The September reading club book will be “Enemies in Love” by Alexis Clark.
As the night came to a close, everyone left the book club meeting with full of appreciation for the opportunity to come together and share this story. The WOAHO promotes the cultural distinction of West Orange residents of African descent, promotes academic achievement, and advocates for equity and justice. We look forward to the next gathering, where we will continue our quest to unearth literary treasures and share the joy of reading with fellow book enthusiasts.