Crazy for the Storm

Title: Crazy for the Storm

Author: Norman Ollestad

Pages: 6 discs

Genre: Memoir

Grade: B+

Synopsis: Norman Ollestad is 11-years old when he is in a plane crash high in California's San Gabriel mountains. His father and the pilot are killed immediately and Norman has to make it down the mountain on his own. The story of the plane crash is intertwined with a memoir of memories of young Norman skiing in races on difficult terrain and surfing throughout Southern California and Mexico. The pressure Norman's father puts on him to perform at these sports ultimately helps Norman save his own life when the plan crashes.

My Review: I listened to this book being read by the author and found the story to be quite enjoyable and amazing. When this book was recommended to me, it was recommended as one of the best books on parenting. While I don't concur with that opinion, I did find myself contemplating my own parenting style and the type of father that I would like to be.

Disclaimer: The language in the book is vulgar at times.

The Hummingbird's Daughter

Title: The Hummingbird's Daughter

Author: Luis Alberto Urrea

Pages: 528

Genre: Historical Fiction

Grade: B+

Synopsis: Teresita was born in 1873 on a prosperous ranch near the Mexic0-Arizona border. She was raised in dire poverty by her aunt but showed promise while growing up. She ended up becoming an apprentice to the ranch's medicine woman and is eventually invited to live in the rancher's (Don Tomas Urrea's) own home. At age 16, Teresita is raped and lapses into a deep coma before appearing to pass away. At her wake she sits up in her coffin rejuvenated and not ready to face death. She now has the power to heal and blesses pilgrim's from all over Mexico who visit to see her.

My Review: This book is often compared to "One Hundred Years of Solitude" as they are both Latin American classics, but I enjoyed this book much more. The author is the grand-nephew of the real Teresita (who is also remembered as the Saint of Cabora). While many of the stories are obviously apocryphal, the book was an enjoyable read and enlightening into 19th century Mexico.

Dave Barry Hits Below the Beltway

Title: Dave Barry Hits Below the Beltway

Author: Dave Barry

Pages: 208

Genre: Humor

Grade: B

Synopsis: The humor columnist for the Miami Herald writes about the history of politics and the United States government.

My Review: While you never know if Dave Barry is speaking the truth or not, this book was certainly an entertaining read. Barry pokes fun at everything he can fit into his 208 pages. In many ways, I found the book to actually be quite eye-opening to the excesses and poor practices of our government. Imagine if the government actually worked the way the founding fathers meant it to...