Book Review and #Giveaway: Calico Joe by John Grisham {2 Winners}
Sunday, April 22, 2012 Posted by Dina
A surprising and moving novel of fathers and sons, forgiveness and redemption, set in the world of Major League Baseball…
Whatever happened to Calico Joe?
It began quietly enough with a pulled hamstring. The first baseman for the Cubs AAA affiliate in Wichita went down as he rounded third and headed for home. The next day, Jim Hickman, the first baseman for the Cubs, injured his back. The team suddenly needed someone to play first, so they reached down to their AA club in Midland, Texas, and called up a twenty-one-year-old named Joe Castle. He was the hottest player in AA and creating a buzz.
In the summer of 1973 Joe Castle was the boy wonder of baseball, the greatest rookie anyone had ever seen. The kid from Calico Rock, Arkansas dazzled Cub fans as he hit home run after home run, politely tipping his hat to the crowd as he shattered all rookie records.
Calico Joe quickly became the idol of every baseball fan in America, including Paul Tracey, the young son of a hard-partying and hard-throwing Mets pitcher. On the day that Warren Tracey finally faced Calico Joe, Paul was in the stands, rooting for his idol but also for his Dad. Then Warren threw a fastball that would change their lives forever…
In John Grisham’s new novel the baseball is thrilling, but it’s what happens off the field that makes CALICO JOE a classic.
My Thoughts
In Calico Joe, John Grisham applies his considerable talents as a storyteller to the world of baseball. Although the sport takes center stage, this is not a book purely about baseball. Calico Joe is about success and failure, dreams and disappointments, triumph and tragedy - and ultimately, about family. It's a page turner just as much as Grisham's legal thrillers - however, what kept me glued to the page was his masterful depiction of emotional turmoil. You don't have to be a sports fan or an expert on baseball to enjoy this novel. I certainly did.
Calico Joe
is new this month from Doubleday. The Giveaway
Two U.S. readers will each win a copy of Calico Joe by John Grisham!
To enter, please follow the instructions in the Rafflecopter.
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a Rafflecopter giveaway
April 22, 2012 at 11:04 AM
I'm a big fan of The Firm. I think that's his best by far.
April 22, 2012 at 11:28 AM
I'm reading a Jane Green book!
April 22, 2012 at 11:30 AM
I am currently reading The Help. (finally)! I picked it up at my Library's used book room.
seknobloch(at)gmail(dot)com
April 22, 2012 at 4:38 PM
The Firm is still my favorite.
April 22, 2012 at 4:43 PM
I recently finished the Associate - I've read most all of his books
msboatgal at aol.com
April 22, 2012 at 6:19 PM
Timeless. Tore923@aol.com
April 22, 2012 at 6:50 PM
I'm reading 50 Shades of Grey
April 22, 2012 at 6:52 PM
I'm reading 50 Shades of Grey.
April 22, 2012 at 8:27 PM
The firm
April 22, 2012 at 8:33 PM
Runaway Jury is my favorites. Jtretin at aol dot com
April 22, 2012 at 9:09 PM
Love the firm
April 22, 2012 at 10:53 PM
My favorite Grisham book is The Firm.
rsgrandinetti@yahoo(DOT)com
April 22, 2012 at 11:51 PM
Reading Feast for Crows in the Fire and Ice series. We are watching Game of thrones and as always, it's intriguing how much of the book gets left out.
April 23, 2012 at 4:12 AM
Great giveaway. Thanks for this chance. I'm at the end of Phillipa Gregory's The Virgin's Lover. I always love reading about Queen Elizabeth and her Robert Dudley.
Carol L
Lucky4750 (at) aol (dot) com
April 23, 2012 at 6:23 AM
The Firm is my favorite and now that they made a TV series with it I get to watch it weekly!
April 23, 2012 at 9:11 AM
I like The Firm by him.
April 23, 2012 at 10:25 AM
I have read all of his books and have quite a few that are hardcover. The best writer that I have read thus far. Top of my list for those who read.
April 23, 2012 at 10:36 AM
John Grisham is my favorite author, with The Partner being my favorite book.
April 23, 2012 at 10:37 AM
John Grisham is my favorite author, with The Partner being my favorite book.
April 23, 2012 at 10:38 AM
John Grisham is my favorite author, with The Partner being my favorite book.
April 23, 2012 at 11:01 AM
My favorite Grisham book is "A Painted House".
April 23, 2012 at 2:54 PM
The Confession is a great book
April 23, 2012 at 9:06 PM
My favorite was A Time To Kill.
April 23, 2012 at 10:54 PM
Haven't read Grisham yet! This would be my first. So fingers crossed. ;-)
April 23, 2012 at 11:19 PM
I really liked a Lincoln Lawyer
April 23, 2012 at 11:30 PM
I really loved A Painted House!
April 24, 2012 at 12:25 AM
The FIRM z cool but you gat 2 read The CLIENT!!
April 24, 2012 at 2:22 PM
I'm not sure the first entry went through, so here it is again
I'm reading Lucky Stiff by Deborah Coonts
nineteen19 at blackfoot dot net
April 24, 2012 at 3:10 PM
Loved the Painted House!
April 24, 2012 at 5:58 PM
Reading the Power of Habit right now.
April 24, 2012 at 9:58 PM
I like The Firm! Thanks for the giveaway!
April 25, 2012 at 1:26 AM
My favorite John Grisham novel is The Firm.
Thanks for the great giveaway opportunity. ~Pauline
dod@rogers.com
April 25, 2012 at 11:17 AM
My favorite all time, so far, is the Pelican brief!
Thanks for the opportunity!
April 26, 2012 at 11:04 AM
Share which John Grisham novel is your favorite - or tell us what you are reading these days in a comment below. I'm not reading anything at the moment but I wouldn't mind reading this book if I win ;)
April 26, 2012 at 11:14 AM
the firm
gkuroda(at)gmail.com
April 26, 2012 at 2:41 PM
My favorite is The Firm.
marcia.goss@gmail.com
April 26, 2012 at 4:10 PM
I'm not reading anything right now, that's why I'd like to win this :D
April 27, 2012 at 11:10 AM
My favorite is A PAINTED HOUSE.
lanalbradstream(at)yahoo(dot)com
April 28, 2012 at 10:31 PM
I know it is too late, but I am from Calico Rock Arkansas. Great little town of less than 1000