Playing for Pizza

by John Grisham
Scott County Library audiobook 6 CDs
read by Christopher Evan Welch
genre: realistic fiction

A friend recommended this to me. I didn't enjoy it as much as I had hoped, but haven't read a lot of Grisham and may need to see if this is typical for him.

Rick Dockery is a much-maligned NFL quarterback who has had one concussion too many. At the story's outset, he is thoroughly dislikable! Arrogant, selfish, brash womanizer . . . pretty typical portrayal of a handsome pro athlete. Even when he ends up in Italy to play for Parma's football team (American football, not soccer), he is a jerk.

But over the course of the story, Rick changes. It is gradual and it is pleasant, but I found myself cheering for him.

Even more than the human characters, the town of Parma, the food, the Italians beckoned. I wanted to book a trip! That reminded me of seeing "Under the Tuscan Sun." Hated the movie, but wanted to travel there!

Enjoyable story. The ending fell flat for me, but it was minor. Rick's story arc and the Parma football season were the important parts.

The Racketeer

by John Grisham
Hennepin County Library audiobook 10 CDs
genre: crime, intrigue
read by J.D. Jackson

Jackson's vocal work was excellent and I appreciate that the story wasn't overboard with swearing. I didn't like the second half where Nathan Cooley was being yanked around, but it made sense when I got to the end. Not sure why Jeff recommended it to me . . . I'll have to ask him. I like how clever Malcolm / Max was. I don't like the fictional look at the insides of our country's FBI, judicial, and other systems which can be so corrupt and wasteful. I know Grisham made up the story, but a lot of this nasty stuff really happens and I find it discouraging.

The Appeal

by John Grisham
Hennepin County Library audioCDs 10 discs
read by Michael Beck
genre: legal thriller

This book had a profound impact on me. I thought about it a LOT over the week or so that I listened to it. I really struggled with the realization that although this is fiction, much of the content is extremely true-to-life.

Basically, it is the 1% vs. the rest of us. Carl Trudeau, obscenely wealthy New York businessman, rejects the court ruling that his chemical company polluted, poisoned, and killed people in Beaumore, Mississippi. He connects with other powerful and corrupt people to "buy" a seat on the state Supreme Court so that the ruling will be rejected and he doesn't have to pay for the damage done by Crane Chemical.

Ugh. This was really hard for me to read, especially the conservative Christians overwhelmingly (and unthinkingly) supporting newcomer Ron Fisk for a judge seat he isn't qualified to occupy. The tactics and politics ring far too true.

Favorite character: Denny Ott! (Pastor who "gets it" and yet truly cares for his congregation as a genuine Christian.) The ending stunned me, yet makes perfect sense. Six billion. Of course.

The Pelican Brief

by John Grisham
PRMS paperback 436 pages
genre: mystery, suspense

This was a re-read, but it's been such a long time that I honestly didn't remember the story. I just finished it last night, so wasn't able to share at our Monday book club meeting ("any" Grisham book). Darby Shaw is a bright & beautiful law student who unravels some threads tying a wealthy businessman to the murders of two Supreme Court justices.

Fletcher Coal is the powerful man behind the president.
Khamel is the expensive and talented assassin.
Thomas Callahan is Darby's professor and lover.
Gray Grantham is the intrepid reporter.

I like the suspense so much more than any lawyer stuff . . .

Theodore Boone Kid Lawyer

by John Grisham
PRMS hardcover 263 pages
genre: YA detective

Disappointing. After hearing so many rave reviews, I decided to read it myself (and be ready for our Monday staff book club - ANY Grisham novel). To be safe, I'm trying to get through Pelican Brief before tomorrow afternoon. Much better writing!

I'm not sure which middle schoolers Grisham hangs around, or who his target audience was, but I can't see many of my eighth graders buying into Teddy's reality. The courtroom stuff just doesn't hold that much interest, and Teddy's personal life reads more like fifth grade.

Ah well. Now I know how (and to whom) to booktalk this one.