Books and Footie!

This is one of those book review entries that will likely take over the blog, and I suspect this one will go against the grain of the sorts of things I’m supposed to write about. Most folks tuning in to read about sewing or cooking will find those things, but book reviews in these sorts of blogs rarely venture into soccer memoirs. I’m afraid I can’t help myself! I love Nick Hornby’s non-fiction and this is actually a reread for me of his book Fever Pitch, a book that is part memoir and part book about his soccer obsession, particularly with Arsenal who play in the English Premier League. I read this about 10 years ago and I enjoyed it then, but I loved it now. We are in the middle of the Euro Cup so it seemed fitting.

Let me just break down some reasons why I love this book:

1. This book is every bit as English as anything by Jane Austen, but it’s modern and male and, therefore, hilariously self-deprecating.
2. It’s laugh out loud funny. Seriously!
3. I feel like I too am traveling around England, going to matches and experiencing something that is such an intrinsic part of their culture that I forget the fact that I live in south Texas and am actually experiencing 108 degree heat.
4.  I feel like this book is my own particular treat. I know that this is not the sort of book that will appeal to lots of folks I know simply because they don’t want to read about soccer. Never mind that this book is about coming of age in England and about finding something that connects you to the world. Never mind that this is told with such a distinct and honest voice that the wit is perfect and natural. They only see a sports topic and stay away. That’s fine with me. Those that deserve the rewards this book will bring will read it. The rest of the world can go enjoy their little best seller titles.