Category: Books
Book Review: Summer People
I don’t usually get my literary suggestions from Target, but I have to credit that awesome store for the book I just finished, “Summer People” by Brian Groh. The cover caught my eye one day while walking through the store….
Book Review: Then We Came to the End
Even though they dabble in absurdity, Dilbert, “Office Space” and “The Office” have all achieved great success because, at their core, they use clever insights into office life as the building blocks for comedy. This tradition translates to the literary…
Book Review: The Book of Joe
I wanted to love “The Book of Joe.” The story sounded perfect for me – immature guy faces a situation where he desperately needs to grow up. Unfortunately, I couldn’t muster up love for Jonathan Tropper‘s 2004 novel. I did…
Book Review: Small Town Odds
I didn’t quite know what to expect when I bought “Small Town Odds” by Jason Headley over the summer. I found the book in a discount bookstore down the beach and figured I would give it a shot. After all,…
Book Review: Bandbox
I don’t know why Bandbox caught my eye at the bookstore when I was down the beach earlier this summer. I had never heard of the author, Thomas Mallon. I now know he has a pretty reputable background, but I…
Book Review: Kick It
I definitely don’t read enough for someone who loves to write. Each year, I say I will read more, but end up goofing off on the Internet or watching TV or actually writing instead of burying my nose in book…
Book Review: Is the Doctor In?
About 10 years ago, I read a fascinating book by a couple of doctors called “The Medicine of ‘ER.’” With the popularity of NBC’s show about a Chicago emergency room, they decided to look at what happened in fiction and…
Book Review: Settling the Bets
As the years have progressed, I have started to loathe sports arguments. As the shouting culture of television “analysis” has continued to “evolve,” the mere thought of debating a sports topic honestly has seemed to disappear. Everyone seems to be…
Writing for Pizza
Prolific writers always impress me, even if I don’t read much of their work. I found it hard enough to even write one (unpublished) novel, much less many manuscripts. Then there’s the whole thing about getting an agent and all…
I Feel Used
I finished a book the other day, “The Ethical Assassin” by David Liss. I picked it up a few months ago at a local bookstore for the same reason I always pick up books – I liked the brief plot…