Read This Two!

It is time for a new book report so here are the last five books I’ve read.

1. Wrigley Blues by William J. Wagner – The book started out to be about the 2004 Cubs ascension from lovable losers to World Series champs. Of course as the season wore on the book's subject became something else. Basically, it is a story about a team that disintegrated. As a die-hard Cub fan it is sickening at times and brings back all the pain that was the 2004 Chicago Cubs season.

2. Gangsters and Goodfellas: The Mob, Witness Protection and Life on the Run by Henry Hill and Gus Russo – Being a huge fan of both the movie Goodfellas and the book Wiseguy I am very interested in the Henry Hill story. Not knowing much about what has happened to him the last 15 years or so, I decided to read this book. The first third of it is basically a re-telling of Wiseguy. Then, we find out just where they hid Henry. He had some re-lapses with drugs, divorced his wife and found the transition from a mob figure to Joe six pack somewhat difficult. An interesting read but was not as good as I thought it was going to be.

3. 8 Ball Chicks by Gini Sikes – A book about female gang members. As crazy as it is for men to join gangs it really boggled my mind why a woman would join one. I was hoping this book would answer that question for me. While the book has its moments overall it is a bit disappointing and does not shed much light on the subject. The writer visits several towns across the country and interviews female gang members. While there are some interesting stories in the book, there are not enough of them. Overall, I would have to label it a miss

4. If Loving You is Wrong by Gregg Olsen – This is the story of Mary Kay Letourneau. If you haven’t heard about her case by know I suggest you crawl out from under the rock you’ve been living in. This story has it all. The all American girl who had everything, throwing it all away to have sex and two children with a 12-year old boy. The book is a very good read and I was flying through it. I won’t rehash the story points but if you have any interest in this case this is the book to read.

5. Once a King, Always a King: The Unmaking of a Latin King by Reymundo Sanchez - This book starts off where My Bloody Life ends. The author slips back into gang activity and eventually goes to jail. It takes prison to scare him straight and he vows never to go back. He has his ups and downs but it seems like by the end of the book things finally work out for him as he is now married and not living in Chicago where the temptations were to great. I can not suggest both books enough.