February 8th, 2010
The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game by Michael Lewis (2006)
Read the incredible true story of Baltimore Ravens lineman Michael Oher (pronounced OAR). One of thirteen children born to a crack addict mother, Oher spent his formative years on the streets of Memphis – times where neither the state nor the schools had any record of his existence.
But through a chance meeting with the Tuohy family at Briarcrest Christian High School, Oher becomes part of a family, attends school regularly, plays sports – and gets a chance in life. It’s a powerful story with many great messages (although I did skim over the lengthy descriptions of the development of the left tackle in the NFL).
Listen to an interview with the author and read an excerpt from the book at NPR.com. Be sure to check out the YouTube video A Diamond in the Rough. And have you heard? The film of the same name has been nominated for two Academy Awards (Best Picture and Best Actress — Sandra Bullock).
Tags: biography, nonfiction, sports
Posted in Jennifer | No Comments »
February 4th, 2010
Tabloid Dreams by Robert Olen Butler (1996)
Tabloid Dreams provides refreshing tales of ordinary people in their ordinary lives when the quirky and unusual comes knocking at the door. I’d recommend this for anyone who wants something a little different from the rest.
Read the reviews at Amazon.com and visit the author’s website.
Tags: fiction, short stories
Posted in Cynthia | No Comments »
February 1st, 2010
Trace of Smoke by Rebecca Cantrell (2009)
This first novel follows an undercover crime reporter in 1931 Berlin as she searches for her brother’s killer, a trail that leads from the city’s dark underbelly to the top ranks of the rising Nazi party. It is one of several suspense or mystery stories set in Germany or Austria between the two world wars that I have been reading lately, and what a perfect backdrop for suspense it is!
This one is a good read and is a good mystery with a little tragedy, a little romance and some interesting history in the mix. Learn more about the author, check out the reviews at Amazon.com and read an excerpt from the book.
Tags: fiction, historical fiction, mystery
Posted in Sally | No Comments »
January 28th, 2010
High Country by Nevada Barr (2004)
Chalk up another one for Barr. This well-written tale embroils her park ranger character, Anna Pigeon, in more suspenseful escapades that require her plentiful wits and survival skills. It’s edge-of-your-seat stuff.
Be sure to visit the author’s website and read reviews at Amazon.com.
Tags: fiction, mystery
Posted in Shirley | No Comments »
January 25th, 2010
South of Broad by Pat Conroy (2009)
In my opinion, Conroy is a master at developing characters (often damaged) and telling their stories in a fascinating and elegant manner. I loved his previous books, Prince of Tides and The Great Santini. This book is filled with many interesting and diverse characters living in Charleston, South Carolina, in 1990. It follows an unlikely group of friends from high school in the late 60s and into adulthood. He touches on many social and personal issues in a way that everyone can find something to relate to. His dramatic depiction of Charleston and the South Carolina coast stirred an interest in me to visit this area sometime soon.
Visit the author’s website, read the N.Y. Times review, and view an excerpt from the book.
Tags: fiction
Posted in Denise | No Comments »
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