Even as one who only passively follows the NBA, I know Chris Paul, and loved this memoir. It was written in such a way that it was also a tribute to Chris Paul's "Papa." I loved the chapters where he brought his kids back to his hometown and showed them around. I also loved learning more about "black churches," and how he so fondly remembered spending 5-6 hours at church every Sunday and having so much community support.

This book is an emotional tribute to Chris Paul's maternal grandfather as well a memoir of Chris’ upbringing. Paul credits his Papa “Chilly” with his strong work ethic & his character. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I was completely intrigued with it & read it in almost one setting. Not to give away any spoilers, I highly recommend this one!!!

Thanks, Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Sixty-one
By Chris Paul
Pub Date June 20, 2023
St. Martins
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
* Sports Memoir
This was an excellent book! Inspiring. Paul opens up about the role his grandfather played in molding him into the man and father he is today.
5 stars

CP3 gives an inside look to his life that many have not seen before. CP3 experienced tragedy that many should never have to go through at such a young age. CP3 is an Olympic champion and is just missing his elusive first NBA championship. Hopefully this is the year for him.

This book is definitely not in my usual repertoire of genres to read, but seeing it was sports related, I couldn't help but request the arc to see what it was all about.

Chris truly has a way with words that are so thought and emotion provoking. The way he expressed the teachings and lessons he gained from his father, on and off the court; was really tear jerking for the reader. He did an incredible job of delving into it all and still being able to show how there were highs and lows within this life that he lived.

This was truly one of the most inspiring books I've ever read. The lessons he shares with the reader are things we should all try to be practicing in our lives. The impact of this book is huge. Definitely a book everyone should read if they get the chance to.

Thank you NetGalley for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to Netgalley for this advanced reader copy. Who knew what CP3 (Chris Paul) had been through in his life? If you wonder, pick up this book. As I read and read, picturing that player on the Suns and imagining what he has gone through to become what he is today, I felt proud of where he came from, how he learned his lessons, and how PaPa Chili meant the world to him.

If you're looking for an autobiography where basketball star Chris Paul tells scintillating tales of life in the NBA, you will be disappointed. This is a life book, not a basketball book. This is the story of a family, fully invested in each other. This is the love story of a hardworking grandfather setting life examples for his grandson. It is the story of a grandson making his grandfather his best friend and the guiding light of his star studded life.

Chris Paul is much, much more than a superb basketball player. He's an example to males of all ages who are self absorbed and self-obsessed. Paul's grandfather, the guiding light of this book, instilled values that made Chris the role model he is. Here is an athlete who is more than a scorer. He's a leader, an achiever, a Christian, a loving father, and an example worth delving into.

Sixty-One by Chris Paul isn't just a memoir or a coming of age celebrity story. Sixty-One is a community story and at the heart of this book is one central character and it's not Chris Paul- it's his grandfather, Papa Chilly. By centering the story and legacy of Papa Chilly, Chris Paul shows his readers the power of the community he grew up in. Papa Chilly was born in 1941 and owned his own gas station which was rare back in a time where Black business owners were few and far between.

Chris Paul shares highlights from his childhood and lessons he learned from his grandfather's example of community care. His grandfather looked out for everyone and if there was a need that someone had they knew they could turn to Papa Chilly for support. Chris also amplifies the stories of both of his parents, his brother, Coach Prosser, and his church, Dreamland Park Baptist Church, as a way to show readers the main influences on his upbringing and the values he brings to his career as a basketball player, a husband, a father, and community leader.

I enjoyed reading about his motivation for starting The Chris Paul Family Foundation and his reflections on fatherhood overall. Paul is definitely a man who is driven by family and community and it shows in his writing and the chapters of his life he chose to share with his fans. It was heartbreaking to read about the violent attack that led to Papa Chilly's death. Paul is vulnerable and honest about his grief and rage while also holding nuance for the importance of redemption.

When I requested an arc I was expecting to read about Paul's journey to the NBA and was delighted to find that Sixty-One is that and so much more. This book is truly a testimony about the power of community to raise up strong boys turned to men and the impact that community care and collective care has on the development of children and families at large. I know that Papa Chilly is somewhere smiling knowing that his legacy is being honored in such a way.

Thank you to the author and publisher for the e-arc copy!

Let me start out by saying that I am not the target audience for this book. I care next to nothing about sports and athletes, but I was intrigued by the description of the book and wanted to know more. I enjoyed quite a bit of it but a true fan of Chris Paul will likely love it.

CP3 as he is fondly called around the league crafted a beautiful tribute to his grandfather in “Sixty-One, Life Lessons from Papa On and Off the Court.”

Chris Paul, a 17-year NBA veteran and the starting point guard for the Phoenix Suns grew up in North Carolina with his brother, their parents and grandparents, a very tight knit group. If they weren’t at school, or on the basketball courts CP3 and his brother, CJ, were often helping out at their Papa Chilly’s gas station. A hustler from a young age, CP3 was eager to earn money to add pairs to his Jordan sneaker collection. At the gas station they watched their Papa get his hands dirty every day and never shy away from hard work. As CP3 got older his Papa instilled in him a relentless work ethic that got him where he is today and keeps him in the starting lineup.

This is a good book, just not one that I had time to fully appreciate right now. I love reading and often read several books at the same time. For some reason this one kept getting ignored. I think it is because I would need more time and devotion to fully engulf myself in this. It is a bit heavier and out of my interest level. So I can't fully review this book but I know that many will absolutely love it.

I loved this telling of CP3's life thus far.

It showed his deep family values he was brought up with and how he's repeating the same process with his kids.

I wish it had a little more NBA action but it's ok - still a great story of how one boy loved his Grandfather like no other and did everything he could to make him proud.

I just reviewed Sixty-One by Chris Paul. #NetGalley

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the honor of reading this book.
I read this book in one sitting. It was truly a book I could not and did not want to put down.
In Sixty-One, Chris opens up about all aspects of his life, in the NBA and the road leading up to that, but especially the role his grandfather played in all parts of his life. Chris Paul speaks about the strong foundation of faith and family instilled in him at a young age, how to always set a good example and shine light where there is darkness in another person's life.,the key to building community. My father was an automotive repair guy and the way Chris describes Papa's shop, with the sights and smells and even the soap (!) brought me back to a time when I was a little girl and throughout the years, grew up in my own father's garage. Chris takes the lessons from his Papa - humility being at the top of the list and passes on these gifts to his teammates, his family and friends, and now, in the voice of "Sixty-One"..... the message is known throughout the world. This book is a legacy for his own children and for all of ours. Thank you.

NBA star, Chris Paul, tells his life story this far in a wonderfully different way. By telling of life lessons learned from his grandfather, he actually shares a biography and autobiography seamlessly intertwined. From his childhood in Winston Salem, where Air Jordan and being like MJ were his childhood goals, he tells of his grandfather's rise from poverty to being a beloved and respected (black) business owner who taught everyone by example how to rise above the petty and the not so petty unfairness of life. But no one learned his lessons better than his grandsons who were privileged to work hard beside him all summer.

Chris Paul details his life and loss of his Papa, his grandfather who was the first African American owner of a business in Winston-Salem, NC. He writes of the bond they shared and the heartbreaking loss when Papa suffered a heart-attack and died after a mugging.

Chris shares his hometown with his children and details the events of his life that made him the man he is and his drive for success on and off the court.

I really loved the book and have recommended it to a couple friends.

I was given the opportunity to read this book by NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.

CP3 as he is fondly called around the league crafted a beautiful tribute to his grandfather in “Sixty-One, Life Lessons from Papa On and Off the Court.”

Chris Paul, a 17-year NBA veteran and the starting point guard for the Phoenix Suns grew up in North Carolina with his brother, their parents and grandparents, a very tight knit group. If they weren’t at school, or on the basketball courts CP3 and his brother, CJ, were often helping out at their Papa Chilly’s gas station. A hustler from a young age, CP3 was eager to earn money to add pairs to his Jordan sneaker collection. At the gas station they watched their Papa get his hands dirty every day and never shy away from hard work. As CP3 got older his Papa instilled in him a relentless work ethic that got him where he is today and keeps him in the starting lineup.

Chris Paul gives us a thought-provoking book on the values and ideals growing up instilled in him by his grandfather to whom he had a special bond. His upbringing was the foundation on which he lives his life. It helped him navigate successfully all the pitfalls many athletes face upon entering the world of major league sports. He focuses on the importance of giving back and raising his children to be humble and kind. A great read.

This is Chris Paul's journey and the man he became because of the love and all that his Papa passed on to him. He carried it with him, and he made the choice to be like his Papa, and did for others what his Papa did for him.
Reading his story, we realize why the title Sixty-One, and he made another choice.
The book is inspiring, and he carried on his Papa's legacy by living his life the way his Papa did. He wanted to live his best of himself, and share that with others. Through him, others chose to become the best version of themselves.
I enjoyed meeting his Papa and all that his Papa was, and did, because he was blessed. There were hard times, but he remained believing and knowing he was blessed. I am taking away a lot of things from this story, and being blessed is one of them.
I received an ARC from St. Martin's Press through NetGalley. I hope this book finds its way to you, and you choose to read it. There is a lot of negativity out there, and this is a story that will show you the difference one person can make. People are choosing to see the way Chris is, what he learned from his Papa, and choosing to pass down to the next generation, not words, but the way of life he lives.