The Florida Writer      

          "Playing For Pizza"

By: John Grisham

Review by: Charles J Asbury II

John Grisham scores a touchdown with "Playing for Pizza."

I’m a big Grishman fan and I love football. So, naturally, I snatched this book off the shelf right away. Those who read this book thinking it's another typical John Grisham novel will be sorely disappointed. For those of us who rely on an author's writing skills and storytelling rather than pigeonholing him into one genre will get a kick out of this heart-warming football story.

Playing for Pizza takes the reader on a journey of personal growth and a true love of football. The main character, Rick Dockery, a third-string hack of a pro football player, begins the book in the most humiliating circumstances possible for a pro football quarterback. He loses the AFC Championship game in two bad throws when his team had a 17-point lead, and he's completely drubbed out of the pros. His adventures really begin when he goes to play for an Italian team.
I really enjoyed watching a down-and-out character drag himself up in the most unlikely circumstances. Maybe because I've been there. That and his rediscovery of football and the meaning of the game makes for a lighthearted and entertaining read. So, if you're looking for a legal novel or some deep insight into the meaning of life, steer away from this book. If you're looking for an entertaining, well-written story, definitely pick up a copy of "Playing for Pizza".

I have read nearly everything by Grisham, and really enjoy his writing. For the most part, this book is interesting, but I found the main events to be far too predictable.Basically, I would still recommend this book. If you are a die-hard Grisham fan, don't expect much Grisham style writing here. If you have enjoyed Grisham's writing and just want another good Grisham book, then this may not be the one for you.

Having considered everything and judging on a scale from one to five, five being the best, I give "Playing for Pizza" a four. I would read this book again. Maybe because I love John Grisham's books and of course football. Still in search of that five. Maybe next month.

Until next month, this is Charles Asbury signing off. Please check out The Palm Coast Neighborhood News Paper for more book reviews and other interesting articles.

                           "SAIL"

Author: James Patterson

Review: Charles J Asbury II

"SAIL", is the latest thriller to be churned out by James Patterson and Howard Roughman. The previous two being, "Honeymoon" and "You’ve Been Warned". I’ve read most of Patterson’s books, but was reluctant to dive into this book because I haven’t been to impressed with his work when it includes co-authors. Nothing seems to recapture the magic of his early Alex Cross detective series, but we’re talking Patterson here, so I gave it a shot anyway. What an outstanding choice it turned out to be.

The Dunne family is on the brink of breakup. Three years after her husband dies, Katherine Dunne finds herself in a mess. She has achieved tremendous success as a surgeon, but on the home front it’s a big time disaster. With a suicidal teenage daughter(Carrie) and a pot smoking son(Mark), Katherine is on the verge of a nervous breakdown. The only saving grace is her youngest son Ernie. The one thing Katherine thinks can bring her dysfunctional family back together is a trip in their luxury yacht, "The Family Dune." They are joined by Katherine’s brother-in-law Jake, and together the five set sail across the Caribbean. Disaster strikes on day one and it’s not a natural disaster either. Someone wants to kill Katherine and her children. The initial attempts fail due to the,"never say die", fighting spirit of Jake. But when the whole family is shipwrecked following an explosion, Katherine finds herself knowing more about her children. Finally, in the midst of disaster, the family starts pulling together as one team. They have no choice. In order to survive they must stop bickering and start pulling together. Stop complaining and start contributing. Above all else, "never say die".

But who is behind the blast? Who wants Katherine and her children dead? Is it her cheating lawyer husband Peter Carlyle, the second husband who will inherit everything if something nasty happened to the kids and his wife...or is there more than meets the eye? What follows is a relentless suspense filled ending that will please all Patterson readers.

Overall, "SAIL" was a good book, great characters and filled with tons of suspense! On a scale of one to five, Ii gets a four. The only reason I don’t give it a five is because of it’s predictability. Not Patterson’s best, but I still had a hard time putting it down and finished it in less than six hours. As always I look forward to Patterson's next big thriller.

Next thriller, "Cross Country"

Release date: Nov. 17th "(Hardcover).

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Books reviews on this page:

"Playing for Pizza" - John Grisham

"Sail" - James Patterson