Sunday, December 28, 2008 — When the temperatures get colder, I enjoy spending the afternoon in my recliner with a good sports book.

Despite the unseasonably warm temperatures we’ve had this week, I have looking through my book depository and found some great sports books that are still good even after reading a few times.

I also finished a new book that I actually got for Christmas and read the next day that was really terrific.

“Playing for Pizza” - John Grisham is famous for his law-related suspense novels, many of which have made the big screen.

In this case, Grisham makes a foray into the world of professional football in Italy.

The story deals with a third-string NFL quarterback whose bad game in the playoffs ostracizes him from the league and he looks to escape his troubles by playing overseas in Italy, where life and the game of American football is quite different.

There are enough football elements to keep the sports fan interested but the story focuses more on making the most of the opportunities presented to you.

Harvey Penick’s Little Red Book - No golfer’s library would be complete without a copy of the musings and wisdom of one of the game’s great teachers, Harvey Penick.

The book has tips on perfecting the golf swing but it reads more like a zen philosophy of golf, giving readers a renewed vigor for the game.

No matter how down about your golf game you might be, one read through this book will have you out on a driving range.

“Hey, Wait a Minute! I Wrote a Book” The first in a series of football books about John Madden, one of the most charismatic figures in the game today.

Madden has seen the game from every angle, from playing to coaching to broadcasting.

This book is guaranteed to have you laughing out loud, with insight into the world of pro football and how the fickle finger of fate can propel a former offensive lineman into a Super Bowl-winning coach and arguably the best color commentator of NFL games ever.

“Let’s Go to the Videotape” - Warner Wolf was my favorite sportscaster and I am sure that watching him do bloopers on the CBS Morning News helped shape my broadcasting style.

Famous for catchphrases like, “C’mon! Give us a break!” or like the book title, Wolf was probably a model for every ESPN Sportscenter anchor that spouts catchphrases and he gives good advice in the book.

“A Season on the Brink” - Indiana basketball. The struggles of coaching at the highest collegiate level. Bobby Knight uncensored. Enough said.

Enjoy the reading!



Contact Charles Curcio at (704) 982-2121 ext. 12 or email at charles@stanlynewspress .com.