The story revolves around a teeny tiny town in Montana, Willow Creek, and their boys' basketball team that has not won a game in 5 years. Sam (an Engl...moreThe story revolves around a teeny tiny town in Montana, Willow Creek, and their boys' basketball team that has not won a game in 5 years. Sam (an English teacher) is the coach and when 2 new boys come to Willow Creek he recruits them for the team and tries to build up confidence and hope that they might win a game. The team has a total of 6 players and most of the town has given up on them.
There is a lot of basketball in this book, but that is not where the real story lies. The residents of Willow Creek are the story. Their lives, their heart-breaks, their pain, their quirkiness, . . . . and most of all their heart. Holy cow, this book has a whole lot of HEART. I'm not sure I have ever been so emotionally invested in a set of characters -- rooting for them all along the way. The author does a great joy of introducing the residents of Willow Creek, sharing their backstories, and weaving it all together to create the connections that make up a small town.
I ended up really enjoying the book. I smiled & laughed with them, cheered, cringed, shed tears of joy. It's a book about people, good people and it left me with a full heart.(less)
A quick read. It was predictable -- the book is basically a modern-day retelling of the Bible story of Joseph that is sold into Egypt by his jealous b...moreA quick read. It was predictable -- the book is basically a modern-day retelling of the Bible story of Joseph that is sold into Egypt by his jealous brothers. The author shamelessly carries several details into his story like, the names of his Joseph's parents (Israel & Rachel) and step-brothers, and of course, there is a special coat that sends the brothers into a hissy-fit. Despite the predictability . . . I enjoyed the story, Joseph's journey, and the lessons learned of family, sacrifice, love, and enduring trials.(less)
This book is just delightful, sweet, and witty in every way. I want to go to Guernsey Island! The book is written entirely in the form of letters. Whi...moreThis book is just delightful, sweet, and witty in every way. I want to go to Guernsey Island! The book is written entirely in the form of letters. Which worked really well for me, as I was able to read bits and pieces while waiting to pick up the kids each day. (No long chapters that I had to set aside chunks of time for). It's based around a woman named Juliet, an author, who stumbles upon this idea to write a book about the German occupation during WWII, but that topic ends up morphing into something else entirely, which ends up changing the course of her life forever. The core of this book, though, is the characters. They are warm, personable, real, vivid . . . . you WANT to know them and be a part of their Literary Society. Juliet is adorable -- her opinions, observations, insecurities, confidence -- just love her. Read and enjoy this book!(less)
The first page made me laugh. The first 5 pages made me chuckle. The first 10 pages made me smile. But by page 30, the zombie element was getting real...moreThe first page made me laugh. The first 5 pages made me chuckle. The first 10 pages made me smile. But by page 30, the zombie element was getting really old so I just gave up. It's essentially the exact same story, dialogue, etc., with a sprinkling of zombie here and there. For me, it wasn't worth it to keep reading.(less)
I read this book with the boys after it came highly recommended. But I was very disappointed. 95% of the story was sad & depressing. I kept waitin...moreI read this book with the boys after it came highly recommended. But I was very disappointed. 95% of the story was sad & depressing. I kept waiting for something happy or exciting to happen -- seeing as this is a children's book -- but, not so much.(less)
The first 1/3 of this book was slow-going but after that, . . . . I have to say that it was something pretty special. What is most incredible about th...moreThe first 1/3 of this book was slow-going but after that, . . . . I have to say that it was something pretty special. What is most incredible about this story is that it is all TRUE! Faith and belief in God and serving others is a huge part of this story. AND, I never thought I would learn so much from a homeless man. Considering all the disadvantages he had in life, Denver was a very wise man. (less)
Conner started reading this series so I decided to give it a try too. This was a very fun, action-packed book. Every chapter adds a new twist, turn, e...moreConner started reading this series so I decided to give it a try too. This was a very fun, action-packed book. Every chapter adds a new twist, turn, element of surprise. I enjoyed the book MUCH more than the movie.(less)
I have to say that I was happy to be done with this book, and as soon as I finished it went straight into the Goodwill donation bags. It was just real...moreI have to say that I was happy to be done with this book, and as soon as I finished it went straight into the Goodwill donation bags. It was just really difficult for me to get into the story line and care about the characters. I felt it was poorly written -- it just never grabbed me. I'll admit that the final 2 or 3 chapters were better. But not good enough to convince me to read books #2 or #3.(less)
The first 60 pages are a snooze fest -- skip it. I enjoyed the middle and end of the book, although it was a bit bloody at parts. A few situations dur...moreThe first 60 pages are a snooze fest -- skip it. I enjoyed the middle and end of the book, although it was a bit bloody at parts. A few situations during his life adrift at sea were very Lost-esque. But I like Lost. :). I thought the ending was good - even though it left some question marks. Something interesting to chew on.(less)
I loved the whole idea behind the Wednesday letters and what it did for Jack and Laurel's marriage. Lots of twisted family revelations that that kept...moreI loved the whole idea behind the Wednesday letters and what it did for Jack and Laurel's marriage. Lots of twisted family revelations that that kept the story moving. I thought the last chapter was out of place, though, and messed with the flow of the story. Very good, easy read.(less)
enjoyed reading this aloud to the kids. It's a slow-moving, relaxed story. Wonderful, descriptive writing - which I enjoyed. The story was good . . ....moreenjoyed reading this aloud to the kids. It's a slow-moving, relaxed story. Wonderful, descriptive writing - which I enjoyed. The story was good . . . it just didn't *grip* me.(less)
Very enjoyable, easy to read, cute book. It took me back to my high school days . . . the author does a great job of putting you into that world (the...moreVery enjoyable, easy to read, cute book. It took me back to my high school days . . . the author does a great job of putting you into that world (the cliques, the insecurities, the desire to be popular/fit-in, etc.) In the middle of this he creates a beautiful character, Stargirl. Everything about her - her kindness, uniqueness, zest for life, self-confidence, compassion - is sooo refreshing! Makes me want to shove this book into the hands of every teenager! (less)
hmmm . . . .what to say? Like others, the premise of this book (a mormon married housewife becoming best friends with a hollywood actor...moreI give it a 3.5
hmmm . . . .what to say? Like others, the premise of this book (a mormon married housewife becoming best friends with a hollywood actor - her crush) made me a bit uncomfortable. I didn't quite know what to think of it. Becky & Felix's relationship, though, was definitely entertaining to read and follow - they had a fun, playful banter that made me smile, laugh.
Becky's relationship with her kids and her husband were simply precious, and very real. I found myself very emotionally involved in their journey & crisis. Definitely touched me.
The ending . . . hmmm. There were parts that drew me in and made me care and there were parts that were just, awkward and weird. (less)
I read this book aloud to the boys and they devoured every minute of it! The adventures and troubles they get involved in . . . their friendship with...moreI read this book aloud to the boys and they devoured every minute of it! The adventures and troubles they get involved in . . . their friendship with the boy next door, Jeremy . . . The author does a great job of creating distinct personalities for the 4 sisters. An enjoyable read. We will be reading the second book this summer. :)(less)
I thought the story line the idea for this book was really cool, but the over use of the f-word and sometimes graphic sex really turned me off. Honest...moreI thought the story line the idea for this book was really cool, but the over use of the f-word and sometimes graphic sex really turned me off. Honestly, I feel scarred for having read it! (less)
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