Book Reviews

The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein
This book is told through the eyes of Enzo, a man’s dog. He tells the story of the troubles his master faces. I really can’t say much more about the book, other than that I absolutely loved this. I cried like a baby at the end. It was beautiful, and it really makes me miss the best dog I’ve ever known–my grandparents’ dachshund, Heidi. I found this book absolutely wonderful and I intend to read it again. It does mention racing (the Formula One kind, not that NASCAR shit), so if you’re not into racing some parts may be confusing. But I highly recommend this book, and immediately passed it on to my mom. Read this book. 9/10

The Gates by John Connolly
This book was entertaining, but overall I’d give it a “meh.” It was humorous and I smiled/laughed at a few parts, but it wasn’t life changing. The plot was a bit confusing at points. However, if you’re looking for an easy read that’s funny, go for it. 5.5/10

I Love You Phillip Morris: A True Story of Life, Love, & Prison Breaks by Steve McVicker
This book tells the story of Steven Russell, a con man who managed to escape from Texas prisons four times to be with his love, Phillip Morris, whom he had met in jail. While it wasn’t exactly what I was hoping for, it gave an eye opening look into the mind of a con man, and how he operates. Steven Russell is, in my mind, an absolute genius. He cooked up schemes that fooled several large companies, and he managed to escape from prison four times by using his own wit and charm. The way he managed to outsmart the prison system is amazing. While it didn’t go as into his relationship with Phillip Morris as I’d have liked (I felt it skipped some major parts that confused me a bit), this book was really interesting. Steven Russell, I tip my hat off to you. Maybe it’s because I’ve been watching Arrested Development lately and watching George Sr. talk about being in jail, but the prison parts really interested me. I recommend this book, definitely. 7.8/10