Two Books: Becoming Manny + Mrs. Somebody Somebody

I don't write as much about books here as I used to. Partly because on LinkedIn, I have an Amazon Reading List where I keep track of the books that I've read, want to read, and that I'm currently reading. It's really a great tool. I follow other people's lists to learn about new books and people can follow my list to see what I'm reading.

I wish there were a way to import the list to this blog. Anyone know how to do it?

Last night I just finished reading Mrs. Somebody Somebody by Tracy Winn. It's a wonderful collection of short stories all taking place in Lowell, Massachusetts. The stories center around one family and their neighbors and spans over time from after WW II to now. We see the change in the textile industry and the life of people in a mill town.

Winn's writing is very tender and emotional and you strongly feel the lives of the characters. I read that the book just came out in paperback. Unfortunately, I also just missed several book readings that she had around Massachusetts. Maybe I'll catch a reading in the fall.


This morning I started reading Becoming Manny, the authorized biography of Manny Ramirez.

However, I was less than thrilled with the part of the Foreword that described Manny as a "big, goofy puppy dog." Anyway, I had to put the book down at the beginning of Chapter 1, because I have a few things to finish up today.

I am looking forward to reading this book. I'd like to know more about him and was very surprised that he authorized the book.

Also, my bias must be disclosed. I have a special place in my heart for Manny. I think that he's sexy as hell and extremely intriguing. He's one of the best baseball players ever and I hate the way that that he left Boston and the Red Sox for the Dodgers. Not that he left. I guess it was time for him to go. But it was how he left. There was a lot of bitterness in the press and by many of the Boston fans. It was just a bad ending to his time here and it really made me sad.

I can't count the number of times that I defended him to people over the years. And some of it was just stupid stuff. I'd wonder, "Why am I even having this converstation? It's not like I know him personally."

And I just read on his website that he doesn't like coffee or sweets! Oh, Manny!

Well, enough about me and my Manny-drama. I hope you're having fun this Sunday and reading something good. By the way, what are you reading right now?



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Comments

brainella said…
I read Mrs. Somebody Somebody also. While there were some stories that were absolutely wonderful, I felt that some of them fell a bit flat. I did enjoy most of the book; she has a unique way of portraying both the good and bad in characters.
Can-Can said…
Thanks for the info on the book, Mrs. Somebody Somebody. I keep track of all my reading on shelfari.com
I'm nearly finished Little Bee, which I am loving. I took a break from it to check my favorite blogs so the novel won't end so soon. Have you read it?
Lisa Johnson said…
brainella - There were definitely some characters that I didn't like, but I also enjoyed how she described them.

can-can - You're welcome! I've never heard of Little Bee, but will have to look it up. Thanks for letting me know about it. Such a bittersweet feeling when you love a book so much that you don't want it to end. : )

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