Book #90 - Theodore Boone: The Abduction by John Grisham

I actually finished this book almost two weeks ago, but I've debated whether I wanted to continue this blog or quit. As you can see, I decided to continue it. Today is my son Samuel's 6 week birthday. So, as you can imagine, my reading has declined drastically in the last few months since trying to compete for time between a three year old and a 6 week old takes up my entire life. However, this book came at just the right time. I've decided (with nothing to back my theories up) that John Grisham is bored with doing the "adult lawyer" books. I think that's why the plots in those books have been overdone and not as fresh as his first few. But, I think he's bored with it, and Theodore Boone is his outlet to be creative. I'm sure Grisham grew up on the Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew (if he'd admit to reading her), and he's created a character to rival them in Theodore Boone. I loved this book. It's easy language and enticing plot were just what I needed. I look forward to the next installment!!!

Book #71 - The Confession by John Grisham

So, it took me a month, but I've finally finished this book. Please do not take that as a reflection on this book and what I thought of it. Between school, Will, and pregnancy fatigue, I just haven't been reading like I was at the start of the year. This book was excellent. Grisham makes the reader take a deep, hard look at the death penalty and the severity of executing the wrong guy. Talk about a mistake that cannot be undone. Initially, I thought the most gut-wrenching part of the book was when Donte was put to death and exonerated the next day, but I was wrong. The last page, held the most sickening realization in the book...people just don't care, and the death penalty will remain the status quo. Why is it that the conservative right sees no problem with executing adults with no remorse or feeling that they have broken one of the ten commandments, but the very same people go crazy on a woman who chooses not to carry a unwanted pregnancy to term. I'm not trying to make this blog a political statement or express my beliefs. Rather, I'm simply trying to bring to light an incredible double standard that seems to be more pronounced from day to day.

Book #36 - Theodore Boone Kid Lawyer by John Grisham

I can't describe to you the excitement yesterday when I opened the mailbox and Amazon had delivered this book. I was thrilled. Though it was very suspicious that the book was smaller that Grisham's other books, it took a little investigating to discover that this books is written for a middle school aged child. With that being said, it was fantastic. I was captivated, and like reading Harry Potter, I did not feel that this book was boring or dull because it was written at a reading level below what I'm used to. John Grisham has proven once again that he is a dynamic and risky writer. I have always contended that his best books are his non-lawyer books, but now I'm not so sure that he isn't a children's author. This book rivals Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys. I could envision my 13 year old self devouring a book like this. This is just the type of book that can really get kids interested in reading. I am continually and pleasantly surprised by John Grisham. He is a true artist. Always growing and testing new waters with his talents. I'm sure this book will inspire more than one young man or lady to be lawyers one day.