Irish Thunder: the Hard Life and Times of Micky Ward

I was curious about this biography by Bob Halloran when I discoverd  it was the basis of the movie "The Fighter" (with Mark Walberg).

These sentences toward the end of Irish Thunder perfectly sum up the career of boxer Micky Ward: "It was an uncommon success story. At one point, the kid from Lowell was being promoted by a guy who couldn't promote fights in his home state, managed by a novice manager, and trained by his brother, a former crack addict. Meanwhile, any one of his seven sisters could barge into his locker room drunk at any time. Yet, inside this maelstrom was a calm but violent fighter."

I knew nothing of the boxing world. Learning the ins and outs of how matches are arranged and promoted was  fascinating. The vivid descriptions of the boxing matches, punches thrown and damage done made me feel as though I were there.The relationship between the brothers Dickie and Micky was also interesting. I just wish that the book delved more into Micky's personal life.

 -Natalie

The Sound of a Wild Snail Eating

The author of The Sound of a Wild Snail Eating finds unlikely companionship in the form of a snail while she is bedridden with a chronic illness.  Her friend brings her the snail in a pot of violets, and soon Bailey is intrigued by its habits and endeavors to learn more about it.  Bailey is in the right situation to observe a snail, an activity that takes much time and patience.  Being cut off from the rest of the world, the author appreciates connecting with nature in this way, and having the snail around has a calming effect and keeps her spirits from sinking too low.  She even thinks about similarities between her condition and that of the snail.  Bailey learns about everything snail-related and enlightens the reader.  Hers is a well-written reflection on these quite fascinating little creatures.  The book provides inspiration not only for those whose worlds have become much smaller due to physical ailments but also for the rest of us to be able to appreciate the smallest wonders of nature.

-Elizabeth

Reading in 2011

If you are like most people, you probably read within a narrow subject or genre range. If you made a New Year's resolution to get to those books you never managed to open last year, here is a list of "reading challenges" that will help to broaden your reading tastes.