SOTR1989 Book Blog

You Can’t Make This Up Al Michaels   Released: September 8th, 2015  (Was originally written December 25th, 2022)  Bonus Book #2 What a fascinating person.  He has seen and heard it all.  Been there for some of the greatest sports moments, and live through some crazy times. Things I took away from this one: - Well travelled man.  Born in Brooklyn, New York, moved to Los Angeles.  Went to school in Arizona, landed a job in LA, then Hawaii, then Cincinnati, San Francisco, and back to LA. - At 24, he was making $24,000 living in Hawaii on beach front place.  He and his wife decided that life could only go down from there. - Moved to Cincinnati from Hawaii.  The thought was daunting, but he and his family eventually settled in, and enjoyed his first time calling Major Leagues with Pete Rose and other legendary Reds players - Called the Miracle on Ice game, and was instrumental in getting the USA-USSR game played in a prime slot - Worked with Howard Cosell but became distanced following cond

  A Quiet Strength Tony Dungy   Released: June 1st, 2008  (Was originally written December 19th, 2022) Bonus Book #1 finished.   Truly inspirational read (in case the 400 quotes hadn’t given that away 😄).   Tony Dungy is a deeply religious man.  His faith in God is unquestioned.  His leadership is driven by a sense of calmness and rational thinking.  His wife is a deeply supportive partner who has the ability to push him when he struggles to get a true sense of something as well as celebrate his victories and milestones in life.  The way he returns the favor as a husband, a father, and leader of not just the football teams he has led, but the cities and communities he has inspired, is very honorable.   His ability to erase the walls of racial divide, and unite people together regardless of skin color is tremendous. He mentions many times in his book the sense of “Do what we do.”  He rarely deviates from course, and that’s what led to his ultimate successes — his change of culture in T

  Mankind: Have A Nice Day! Mick Foley   Released: October 31st, 1999  (Was originally written December 16th, 2022) I did it!  Beat my reading goal for the year.  “Mankind: Have A Nice Day!” was a great read.  It’s pretty intense to read about what some of these performers do to get ahead, let alone the sacrifices they make just to entertain us.  After reading about some of this work, I threw on some old Cactus Jack matches.  How the hell is this man still alive…let alone still walking?  Just seeing the 1992 Beach Bash match between him and Sting for the WCW title.  Staged or not, that really had to hurt…oy.  Now on to some bonus books for the year! 😁 Let’s see how many I can pack in!

 

  A Court of Frost And Starlight Sarah J. Maas   Released: May 1st, 2018  (Was originally written November 9th, 2022) Book #4 completed. 3 Down, 2 To Go. Frost and Starlight was a nice sort of epilogue to the first 3 Court of Thorns and Roses series books.  It details the Solstice celebration, and plots the future fates of different characters in a relatively short 232 pages. I enjoyed the smaller moments.  The meals they shared.  The gift giving.  The interaction between the characters.  The love and care they all share together amongst one another.  The continuing of their story as it concludes things to an extent. On to A Court of Silver Flames.  This will take on a new direction as it no longer focuses on Feyre and Rhysand, but Nesta and Cassian this time around.  This next one will be my longest book of the year, at a particular spicy 768 pages. Capping out the year (assuming I stay on track and don’t fast-track these books) will be Mick Foley’s “Mankind: Have A Nice Day!”  A nice

  A Pirate Looks At Fifty Jimmy Buffet   Released: June 1st, 1998  (Was originally written October 31st, 2022) 2 down, 3 to read  This book was picked up randomly by me, and I truly have enjoyed this story.    I don’t know much about Jimmy Buffett.    I know “Margaritaville”, “It’s 5 O’Clock Somewhere” with Alan Jackson, and the Cheeseburger in Paradise restaurants.    I played those songs on WAYZ a lot, and frequented the restaurant with my ex when I lived in Southern Maryland.    I picked up this book early this year.    I found it in the clearance section of a Half-Priced Books.    This was one of the best finds I have ever found.    Because there’s a lot of life, adventure, exploring, and intrigue found in these 458 pages.    I started reading this back in March after reading “The Jordan Rules”.    I remember reading it at the airport in San Diego as I awaited the arrival of my friends.    I continue reading it upon my return.    I soon met a new friend in life who introduced my to

  A Court of Wings and Ruin Sarah J Maas   Released: May 2nd, 2017  (Was originally written Oct 19th, 2022) 1 down, 4 to go. Knock another one out to close out October Try to get another one in for November And finish the year strong with 2 more

  The Jordan Rules Sam Smith   Released: November 13th, 1991  (Blogger's Note: This blog was originally written as a Facebook status on May 17, 2022, and updated to current format Sept. 3rd, 2024.  I started this blog as I was going through a difficult transition in life, and there were times when simply reading was the only real thing keeping my sanity.  I had just left a 10-year relationship, was living in my friend's attic, working overnights, and would read about 20 pages every morning when I got home from work.  Even though it was my 2nd book of the year, I regarded it as my first because it was my first official Blog review.  I was always intrigued by the 1990's Chicago Bulls, and was glad to have read it.) Lots of life happening lately.  So, it’s taken me a good long while to finish my second book of the year. I saw this book on "The Last Dance" and sprung to grab a hardcover copy.  The cost was $900.  After waiting a few weeks, I found an early copy for $1