I really tried to read this book and I just could not get involved. I won it in a first reads give away and I had high hopes for it. But the more I re...moreI really tried to read this book and I just could not get involved. I won it in a first reads give away and I had high hopes for it. But the more I read, the more frustrated I got. I finally had to just put it down uncompleted. It is very rare for me to not finish a book but I had no choice in this case.(less)
I will start out by saying that I was thrilled to win this from Goodreads first reads. I was also looking forward to reading it, as it seemed like a r...moreI will start out by saying that I was thrilled to win this from Goodreads first reads. I was also looking forward to reading it, as it seemed like a really good story. With that being said, I will point out that the last legal thriller that I read bored me to tears (no, it was not Grisham). There was too much legal-speak and the story was so bland that I had a very hard time finishing it. "The Insider" is the first one I have ventured into since then. I am so glad I did!
The book starts out with the story immediately. I did not have to read page after page of miscellaneous background information to get to the heart of the story. It literally starts within the first few pages. And it keeps going. Every time I thought there might be a lull, something new happened. While I have read tons of books in my lifetime, I have always tried to stay away from any type of "mafia style" books as they are simply not something that I am interested in. The author managed to make it very interesting in this one. Throw in some insider trading and it turned out to be a very, very good book. There is just enough "lawyer speak" for you to understand the story. And that is explained in a very interesting way. I love how everything went down with the bad guys, so to speak. And I totally loved the way it ended. I had an idea who the bad guy was early on but I wasn't sure. The not being sure is what made it such a good book. Normally I have it all figured out within the first few pages. It turned out that I was correct in my assumption, but as I said, it wasn't a given in my mind until it was revealed.
I am very glad that I read this book and I can't wait to read more from Reece Hirsch.(less)
After winning this from Goodreads "First Reads" I was really looking forward to reading it.
But after reading the letter, and reading the information...moreAfter winning this from Goodreads "First Reads" I was really looking forward to reading it.
But after reading the letter, and reading the information in regards to them online, I'm not really sure how to go about rating it or reviewing.
Quite simply put, it's 5 1/2 pages of a letter supposedly left in a hotel room and later found by a hotel clerk. It's basically a confession of sorts to the letter writer's brother. Okay, if you are going to confess to something, would you seriously leave the letters to be found? Or would you sign your name? And (if I remember from the website correctly) how realistic (note the sarcasm) is it really to believe that the hotel clerk conveniently bumped into the letter writer at a later date? I'm not saying it DIDN'T happen, I'm just finding it difficult to believe.
I would love to read the other three letters and see what else Hugo has to say. And I do believe this would make a good book, if more details are included to explain more about Hugo Cambridge.
The letter was interesting. I just don't know if I believe that it was true. (less)
I will start this with a disclaimer. While I am a big sports fan, I am not a huge basketball fan, though I have a son who eats, sleeps and breathes th...moreI will start this with a disclaimer. While I am a big sports fan, I am not a huge basketball fan, though I have a son who eats, sleeps and breathes the game. But I am, however, a Buster Olney fan. After winning this book through Goodreads First Read, I admit to holding onto it for awhile. I am so sorry that I did.
This was quite possibly one of the most inspirational stories that I have ever read. Having been a big sports fan my entire life, and having 3 sons who think that there is only one channel on TV (ESPN) I was very much aware of the Coach Don Meyer story. But news headlines, and the stories accompanying them, do not tell the whole story. While they may tell the story behind the accident, they do not always tell the story behind the man. This book does.
As you read this book, you follow along as the accident and the aftermath unfolds. You feel the struggles as Coach Meyer goes through the recovery process. You cry with him and his family over the cancer diagnosis. And you will see something that is extremely rare these days: Community. You will read as people from all walks of life come together in support of "Coach". People who were affected by him in some way. Whether through his coaching, his basketball camps or his faith. His faith is key, and it is very obvious throughout the entire book. And as he is enduring the most trying time in his life, he is always still there for others. This is evident throughout the entire story.
I am so glad I read this book. And I commend the author for telling the story, not only as a writer, but as a friend as well. Most books of this regard are written by strangers of the person to whom the book is about. It was refreshing to read one by someone involved in the person's life.
Coach Meyer has a lot to be thankful for, as he noted throughout the book. God first, his wife, his son and his two daughters and his grandchildren. And for all of those people who have been influenced by him. Not only as a coach, but as a man. I would love to shake his hand someday.
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