Book Review: 'Dust Bowl Girls' by Lydia Reeder

✰✰✰✰ Sam Babb traveled far and wide to find only the most talented and dedicated young women basketball players. Despite being physically disabled, Babb was a talented coach. The girls he recruited simply loved playing basketball, and they were no strangers to hard work. For most of the team, this was their first time being away from home, but it was a dream come true. Not only did they get to play the sport they loved, but they also had the opportunity to receive a college education. Along the way, they became national champions during the Great Depression. This story of grit, tenacity, friendship, and compassion will keep you on the edge of your seat as the lady Cardinals battle one of the best athletes of the era.

The Bottom Line: This inspiring read is a look back in time when things were tough during the Great Depression. Not only did their coach provide them with the chance to play basketball, but each girl had the opportunity to better themselves and their families. These women went on to become coaches, teachers, and mothers and influenced generations of women after them. Enthusiastically recommended reading for high school and college classes, sports fans, and readers of women's history.

Book Club Notes: After a three year hiatus, this was our nonfiction book club’s first in-person meeting…with all new members! We began with introductions and also talked about book club etiquette before diving into our discussion. We talked about how dedicated the young women were to both their sport and to getting a college education during a time when both were a challenge. On a scale from 1 - 5, our ratings ranged from 3.5 - 5, with an average of 4. Highly recommended inspirational reading for books clubs and for those who enjoyed the movie, A League of Their Own.

Discussion questions to get you started can be found at Reading Group Choices. 

Details: Dust Bowl Girls: The Inspiring Story of the Team That Barnstormed Its Way to Basketball Glory by Lydia Reeder. Paperback (Reprint edition) published by Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill in 2017. 304 p. with detailed notes. ISBN: 978-1-61620-740-3

Book Review: 'With Winning in Mind' by Lanny Bassham

✰✰✰✰✰ Lanny Bassham is an Olympic Champion and motivational author. His systematic approach to mental preparation is recognized around the world. Through his personal journey to become an Olympic medalist, Lanny discovered and honed the Mental Management System. Whether you are looking to take your sport to the next level or simply wanting to make a change in your life, you too can find success by applying this method.

The Bottom Line: The format of this book is easy to read and follow. Bassham walks you through the system step-by-step. Filled with examples and exercises, this book will help you realize your goals. Whether you want to win at sports, work, or life this is the book for you. Highly recommended for anyone interested in personal development and career development as well as for athletes (of any sport) looking to improve their performance.

Details: With Winning in Mind (Third edition) by Lanny Bassham. Paperback published by Mental Management Systems in 2012. 182 p. ISBN: 978-1934324264

Book Review: 'Moneyball' by Michael Lewis

✰✰✰½ The million dollar question was, how could one of the poorest teams in baseball become one the biggest success stories of the year? Not all the teams in baseball have the same resources; there’s a huge discrepancy between them. So it comes down to making the best out of what you have, and nobody does that better than Billy Beane. Beane was a talented baseball player with lots of promise himself before he quit. Where he failed in playing the game, he excelled in recruiting and managing. Using new baseball knowledge and theories that needed testing, Beane was able to cobble together a winning team out of misfits. Before the end of the book, you’ll be pulling for this team of eccentric players.

The Bottom Line: At times riveting and other times dry, this book encourages the reader to think outside the box. It presents information about baseball and statistics in a way that was new at the time. Following the challenges and triumphs of one of the poorest teams in baseball is fascinating. You will be amazed at what can be done with limited funds, and you will be rooting as the team tries to break a record. Recommended for sports fans and those interested in statistics.

Book Club Notes: Well, our second foray into the HYBRID book discussion format was an improvement. Again, half of us chose to attend in-person, while the other half joined us via Zoom. Initially, we were excited about this topic and book. Yet, actually reading it proved challenging as several of our members got bogged down in the technical aspects of the writing. The movie, on the other hand, was fantastic! The movie was able to show the human side of the topic, while the book focused on the technical aspects of statistics. On a scale of 1 - 5, with 5 being the highest: the movie garnered 4.25 stars, and the book received 3.9. Recommended for book clubs interested in sports and statistics.

On a positive note, discussion questions for both the book and movie are plentiful, so I didn’t have to create my own. Here are some links to check out: LitLovers and Sports Engine.

Details: Moneyball: The Art of Winning an Unfair Game by Michael Lewis. Paperback published by W. W. Norton & Company in 2004. 336 p. ISBN: 978-0-393-32481-5  

Book Review: 'Seabiscuit: An American Legend' by Laura Hillenbrand

✰✰✰✰½ The story of the little horse that could rode into the hearts of Americans during the Great Depression era and never really left. Overcoming numerous physical challenges and racing setbacks, Seabiscuit triumphed over much larger horses to become a cultural icon. But had it not been for the combined efforts of owner Charles Howard, trainer Tom Smith, and jockey Red Pollard, Seabiscuit may never have found his way out of the claiming races. Together the three men and Howard's wife, Marcela Zabala, did everything they could to bring out the best in Seabiscuit. The horse went from an angry, overlooked animal to an admired treasure that was the envy of the horse racing world. The book itself is an epic tale of determination, luck, and inspiration that will keep you turning the pages. 

The Bottom Line: Bestselling author, Laura Hillenbrand, tackled the story behind the most famous racehorse in American history and what made him so special. There's something for everyone in this inspiring tale. Highly recommended for fans of sports, horses, biographies, and underdog stories.

Book Club Notes: While the book was difficult for some to get into, it was riveting for others. Ironically, while several members expressed that the book was too long, the movie, on the other hand, did not go into enough depth. Our group shared an inspirational and spirited hour on Zoom discussing this one. We rated the book an average of 4.5, and the movie received 4 on a scale of 1 - 5. Discussion questions are plentiful online for groups looking to delve into this book. Highly recommended for book clubs, colleges, and other groups interested in both the horse and the personalities behind the making of Seabiscuit. 

Details: Seabiscuit: An American Legend by Laura Hillenbrand. Paperback published by Ballantine Books in 2001. 399 p. ISBN: 978-0449005613 

Book Review: 'The Rookie' by Jim Morris & Joel Engel

✰✰✰ Coach Jimmy Morris was a popular high school sports coach. Unfortunately, in a place where football was revered, baseball was mocked. So when his high school baseball team wasn’t taking things too seriously, he made a deal: If the team could win the local championship, he would try out for major league baseball...again. He didn’t think much about it after that; after all, he was just trying to motivate the team. But something he said struck a chord with his kids. As he pitched for them, they started winning games. The team kept their part of the bargain, and now it was his turn.

When Jimmy showed up at tryouts with his kids in tow, everyone was doubtful as to what he had to offer. He was a middle-aged father of three, who had had multiple surgeries and injuries. Nevertheless, he was given the chance to pitch last, and people took notice. The rest is baseball history. If you’ve ever dreamed of something that seems unreachable, pick up this book for a shot of inspiration.

The Bottom Line: This motivational read is a sports story, an underdog story, and a love story all rolled into one. Morris is honest about sharing his hopes and dreams as well as doubts and failures. Even though the focus is on Jimmy, Lorri’s story shines through too. Recommended for sports fans and Big League hopefuls.

Details: The Rookie: The Incredible True Story of a Man Who Never Gave Up On His Dream by Jim Morris & Joel Engel (formerly published as The Oldest Rookie: Big-League Dreams from a Small-Town Guy). Paperback published by Grand Central Publishing in 2002. 288 p. ISBN: 978-0-446-67837-7 

Book Review: 'Friday Night Lights' by H. G. Bissinger

✰✰✰✰½ It’s Friday night in the late ’80s, and the town of Odessa, Texas is deserted. Where has everyone gone? Chances are they went to the Permian High School football game. Follow the 1988 Permian Panthers as they face the ups and downs of a tough season including injuries, losses, and controversy.

With a steep tradition of winning, the young men on the team face incredible pressure to be perfect and deliver what everyone wants – another state championship. In an odd twist straight out of a movie, it could all end in a three-way coin toss. In a town that is larger than life, these young men will face the biggest challenge of theirs. Win or lose, this is the stuff of dreams and memories.

The Bottom Line: Sports fans will want to check out this pager-turner that inspired the movie and the TV series. With a main focus on sports, this book also takes a look at education, American culture, local history, economics, and politics. The updated version is just as riveting as it was when it was first published and features a look at where the young men are twenty-five years later. Still relevant today, “Friday Night Lights” will keep you on the edge of your seat as you read (or reread) this classic sports story. Highly recommended for sports fans, educators, parents, students, and history buffs.

Book Club Notes: Although this group had a small turnout, the discussion about race, sports, and education was very animated. The book emphasized the importance of athletics over education time and again. There was also more concern about economic issues in the book than in the movie. Both the book and the movie feature racial tension with the book using strong language.  

Additionally, we spent some time discussing the obvious differences between the movie and the book. For example, McDougal isn’t even featured in the film, and the portrayal of Winchell’s mother in the move is not accurate.

Overall, we rated the book 4.5 on a scale from 1 – 5. We liked the journalistic writing style, and highly recommend both the book and the movie. Book clubs can find a Reading Group Guide here. Also, to supplement the discussion, here are more current articles of what the players are up to now: Article 1 and Article 2.

Details: Friday Night Lights: A Town, a team, and a dream by H. G. Bissinger. 25th Anniversary edition paperback published by Da Capo Press in 2015. 413 p. ISBN: 978-0-306-82420-3 

Book Review: 'The Queen of Katwe' by Tim Crothers

✰✰✰½ In the Ugandan slum of Katwe lives a young woman named Phiona Mutesi. With little food and no education, Phiona was destined for a life of poverty. Many expected her to become a teenaged mother like her sister and mother before her. However, Phiona wasn’t like other girls, she was born with pluck and determination that set her apart.

From the first day she followed her brother to Robert Katende’s chess program, Phiona was determined to find happiness. Day after day, she attended the chess program against her mother's wishes at first. Maybe it was for the free bowl of porridge, but Phiona continued her chess training and as the days and months passed, it became evident that Phiona had a gift. She was a chess prodigy. This is the inspirational true story of Phiona’s quest to become a Grandmaster.


The Bottom Line: Phiona’s story is really just beginning. This short biography of Phiona's childhood struggles also includes the stories of others influential in shaping her future. Additionally, information about Uganda and its history are included. Crothers did not sugarcoat anything. This book will not teach you how to play chess or improve your game, but this story of survival just may inspire readers to try their best. Recommended for readers of biographies and those interested in chess.

Book Club Notes: Although this was a quick read, the group did not exactly find it enjoyable. Ratings ranged from a low of 1 to a high of 4 on a scale of 1 to 5. This averaged out to a group rating of 3. Several participants commented that the writing style was choppy. It was almost as if the book was pieced together from many articles. Others commented that the writing style did not capture the heart of Phiona. However, it is important to note that Crothers is a sports writer, which may have contributed to the writing style.

Also, book club members were interested in more information about Robert Katende. That being said, there is interest in watching the upcoming movie and keeping track of Phiona’s life. Due to the lukewarm reaction from the group, this book is recommended for groups interested in chess and sports. Discussion questions are available at Simon & Schuster.

Details: The Queen of Katwe: One Girl’s Triumphant Path to Becoming a Chess Champion by Tim Crothers. Paperback published by Scribner in 2012. 240 p. ISBN: 978-1-4516-5782-1

Book Review: 'The Great Eight' by Scott Hamilton

✰✰✰✰½ Start the New Year with this inspirational read by Olympic champion and cancer survivor, Scott Hamilton. To his adoring fans, Hamilton has always seemed like the most positive person in the world. However, this wasn’t always so. Hamilton has struggled through countess setbacks including childhood illness, cancer, a brain tumor, and personal challenges to come out a winner. By sharing his stories, Hamilton reinforces the idea that happiness is a choice we are faced with everyday. Hamilton describes how through commitment and repetition, anyone can change. In this book, he shares the secrets to combating negativity. Each chapter reveals a step on the road to finding happiness, fulfillment, and a positive attitude.

The Bottom Line: Hamilton is a champion both on and off the ice. Written with honesty and humor, Hamilton shows everyone simple ways to lighten your mood and make a positive impact on others as well. While this book is short and a bit repetitive, I still highly recommend it. Much of what Hamilton writes about is commonsense; however, his use of ice skating analogies makes the material fresh. The ideas are easy to understand and the language is accessible. No matter what stage of life you are in or what challenges you are facing, everyone can benefit from Hamilton’s ideas.

Details: The Great Eight: How to be Happy (even when you have every reason to be miserable) by Scott Hamilton. Paperback published by Thomas Nelson in 2008. 183 p. ISBN: 978-0-7852-3090-8

Book Review: 'Blockade Billy' by Stephen King

✰✰✰✰ The orange signs said it all: ROAD CLOSED BY ORDER OF BLOCKADE BILLY. However, no one remembers William "Blockade Billy" Blakely today, and his team, the New Jersey Titans, have long since been forgotten. But when Mr. King interviews the elderly George "Granny" Grantham, the team's former third base coach, strange things come to light.

It seems that back in the day, Blakely was a great ball player; in fact, he was on his way to breaking every Rookie record in Major League Baseball history. It didn't matter that there was something just a little bit off about him. Neither did it matter that Blakely had a habit of repeating everything other people said or that he referred to himself in the third person. As the Titans' last minute replacement catcher, no one cared about his peculiar habits as long as he kept hitting home runs and could save the season. Unfortunately, Billy had a very dark secret to hide. Once uncovered, the scandal was so great that his scores were wiped off the record books forever.

The Bottom Line: This story is written entirely as a monologue, which is one of the reasons I liked it so well. While Blockade Billy is not a particularly scary story, it is an enjoyable, quick read. I read it in one sitting and especially enjoyed the twist at the end. There is nothing supernatural about this well written baseball yarn, and you don't need to be a baseball fan to appreciate this novella. Since this book includes profanity, it is recommended for adult fans of Stephen King, baseball, horror, and short stories.

Details: Blockade Billy by Stephen King. Hardcover published by Cemetery Dance Publications in 2012. 112 p. ISBN: 978-1-58767-228-6