Watchmen

This book keeps getting better like a fine wine. This is probably the sixth time I've re-read it and damn... it's just soo badass. I love everything about it, the dialogue, the characters, the plot, the stories within a story. It is and always will be my favorite graphic novel. The characters are all so complex and wonderful, even though they're flawed as shit, you have to root for them. Watchmen is an anti-superhero novel about men in masks and what it takes to save  a world that may not always be worth saving. It's dark, complex, and gritty. I was even blown away by the movie adaptation; even though they changed the ending, the casting is perfect and some of the  scenes are frame by frame from the graphic novel. I can't recommend this book enough. Just read it already!

The Crossover

A quick, unforgettable read written in hip hope verse. On the surface The Crossover is about sports, but it's about so much more than that. Josh and his twin Jordan are real ballers. They are the stars of their middle school basketball team and if they weren't twins they would probably hate each other. Their relationship starts to sour when Jordan starts spending more of his time with a new girl then with Josh or basketball. To top it off he's worried about his dad and he wants the basketball championship trophy more than anything. Wonderfully written, appealing to boys and girls of all ages as well athletes, poets, and pretty much everyone. Definitely worthy of the Newbery medal.

The Playbook

Although targeted for young athletic teens, this playbook is for anyone and everyone. It's inspirational to nth degree and kids, teens, and adults will enjoy the wonderful selection of quotes, poetry, and uplifting sports stories. Even though this is obviously geared towards sports, you could easily read this and apply any of the rules or advice and apply it towards any aspect of your life. This slim volume is motivational and perfect if you're in a slump and you need a boost. What a wonderful motivator!

Quarterback

Engrossing, albeit a little overwhelming at times. The quarterback is hands down one of the most important positions in football. Quarterbacks are generally the highest paid, the ones who lead and inspire the rest of the team, are the face of their franchise, and will always get all the praise... and the blame. John Feinstein follows 5 quarterbacks, their ups and downs, and what sets them apart as some of the smartest quarterbacks in the league. The five that he highlights are: Andrew Luck, Alex Smith, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Joe Flacco, and Doug Williams. Quarterback mainly follows the 2017 season while reminiscing about years past. It's an enlightening read and a wonderful play by play of games and player's careers. Feinstein makes sure to throw in commentary on kneeling for the anthem, Donald Trump, black quarterbacks, CTE scans, and many other touchy issues, which I enjoyed. A must read for football fans.

Rebecca

This would have gotten a better review, because it was spledidly written, had it not been for the novel's central character, Mrs de Winter. God, what a young, naive, stupid, girl. I wanted to shake her, slap her, make her come alive! Rebecca is the tale of a young girl marrying an older wealthy widow and then returning with him to his great manor, Manderly. Unfortunately for the new Mrs. de Winter, the presence of Rebecca haunts every hallway, every garden, every object in that grand house. Even the staff seems to have preferred Rebecca. According to everyone she was beautiful, witty, vivacious, and charming; the best of women. Poor Mrs. de Winter is no substitute, she can't compete with the dead (not that she tries very hard), even her new husband seems to have become bored of her. As she tries to maintain her sanity and prove that she is capable; she starts to realize that there is far more that no one is telling her. A haunting and captivating novel, I just wish our "heroine" was up to the challenge, instead of being a doormat for everyone she meets!

Crazy Rich Asians

I couldn't put this book down! It's only making me more hyped for the movie (which I have held off seeing until I read the book). This novel mixes the snobbery of Downton Abbey and The Devil Wears Prada and mixes it with Jane Austen and The Princess Diaries. It's a light romantic comedy, filled with pitfalls and misunderstandings. Rachel agrees to spend the entire summer with her boyfriend, Nick, visiting his relatives, attending a wedding, and sightseeing in Singapore where he is from. There's only one catch, Nick has never told Rachel about his family. Little does she know that his family is like royalty and they have more money then she can comprehend. Billions of dollars! Every event they attend is more mind boggling than the last. Rachel didn't even know that people could live that way! Nick's mom is aghast that her son would date some commoner and does everything she can to get Rachel out of the picture. Witty, full of drama, couture, and snobbery. I loved this. I'll have to continue with the series.

Nine Perfect Strangers

This Liane Moriarity book is so over the top and outrageous but you can't put it down. Even though the plot got more and more ridiculous as the story progressed, I LOVED the characters. Nine people decide that they are stressed and need a lifestyle change, so they sign up for a ten day cleanse at Tranquility House. It's a gorgeous estate in the middle of nowhere and participants will be treated to divine meals, massages, nature hikes, star-gazing, and meditation. The nine participants (all strangers) soon discover that there was a lot on the agenda that they most certainly had not signed up for. Silence, daily blood tests, fasting, and more unorthodox methods keep popping up. Soon the strangers kind of bond together as they try to get through their weird cleanse in one piece. There is a romance author who will soon be out of work, an ex football player, a family trying to cope with loss, a mom trying to rediscover herself after her husband took off with a new trophy wife, a young couple in dire need of counseling, and a devilishly handsome gay lawyer. Full of fun, a nice beach read.