Blog Archives
a ball with no points
Join Stephen D. Reddy on an underdog’s journey in a ball with no points. In the football town of Westfield, NJ, no one thought that the Westfield High School boys basketball team would conquer a state championship between 1971-1972. But they did, unknowingly becoming inspirations to the people of Westfield. Now, 50 years after that magical season, Stephen D. Reddy, the starting guard of the “Westfield High’s Faceless Five,” recounts the story of what has been heralded as “one of the most remarkable Cinderella Stories ever written,” and in so doing, makes their inspirational story available to the whole world.
In line with his underdog roots, Reddy chose to tell this uplifting story in a conversational tone. There are some passages that feel as though you’re in a bar sharing a beer with Reddy as he recounts what happened. As you follow the long winding narrative to its climax, it even feels like you were there as it happened. This gives the book an intimacy that makes you want to stay and hear the whole story.
This inspiring book is centered around basketball, but at the core, it is a story about underdogs. Anyone who has ever needed to rise up to an occasion despite difficult circumstances will know the feeling that Reddy and his team went through, whether or not you have ever stepped foot on a basketball court.
There are passages where Reddy dives deep into the sport, explaining the game to those that may not know the ins and outs of basketball. There are even a couple of paragraphs where he describes, in detail, an exercise or drill that helps him master his dribbling. Die-hard basketball fans will enjoy reading this, and those new to the sport will find it educational.
A ball with no points is a well written sport-themed memoir. Readers who are deep within its world, especially those who witnessed the season, will find great nostalgia in reading this book. Those that enjoy reading about the history of sports and basketball will find this to be an engaging story.
Pages: 388 | ASIN : B09QD5G7CS
Soul of a Swimmer
Soul of a Swimmer is an incredibly touching and beautiful story written by Carla Albano. The narrative tells the true story of Nicholas Dworet, a promising champion swimmer from Florida who was tragically killed in a school shooting at the age of 17. The author compiled the story following a series of interviews with Nicholas’s friends and family members, and within the book, she explores all aspects of Nicholas’s life. She looks at events ranging from the origins of how his parents met to his conquests as a young athlete with aspirations of competing in the Olympics.
Due to the subject matter, and the obvious conclusion of the story, it was devastating to read about this amazing young man’s life. Reading about how adored he was by his family and countless others, and seeing him develop and grow his skill and strength throughout the novel, was gripping and interesting, yet bittersweet, tinged with tragedy. Considering this, it’s clear that the author took great care to paint Nicholas and his family in the most respective and loving light. The story was written with careful awareness of the tragic nature of the situation and hopeful optimism that makes the narrative incredibly charming and easygoing.
Regarding Albano’s writing style, I found her prose to be fantastically detailed, with great attention to developing both the setting and the characters. She presents everything in such a great way that the story feels more vibrant and dynamic. Overall this story was enjoyable to read, filled with interesting details about Nicholas’s passion for swimming and his life in general.
Soul of a Swimmer is a fascinating book that pays great respect to Nicholas’s memory as an extraordinarily talented athlete, a kind and loving gentleman, and an exceptionally adored son. It was a charming story and a pleasure to read and learn about the life of a young man brimming with potential, so sadly taken from this Earth long before his time.
Pages: 170 | ASIN : B09NCDTFYL
To Fuel Positive Change
Marathon Man tells your inspirational story running 35 marathons in 35 days to create something positive from a negative and raise money for charity. Why was this an important story for you to write?
My 1,500-km lap of Ireland charity run and 500-km length of Ireland charity swim were both inspired by the actions of others. If Eddie Izzard didn’t make ‘Eddie Iz Running’ for TV and if Sean Conway didn’t write ‘Hell and High Water’, it’s very likely that I would have conjured up or completed my charity challenges. It’s unlikely I would have raised €45,000 for charity without hearing their stories. They showed me what was possible. With that in mind, it was vital for me to try to pass on the baton of inspiration.
I appreciated the candid nature with which you told your story. What was the hardest thing for you to write about?
It’s hard writing openly about life’s struggles. I cover teenage acne, sporting failures, friends’ premature death, and my dad’s stroke. These personal experiences profoundly impacted my life. Whilst difficult to share publicly, it was essential to me to be as authentic and honest as possible in telling my story. These were the challenging moments that nudged me towards my 35-marathon charity project. It’s a warts and all account, but I made sure to balance the shade with light. Thankfully, I seem to have struck the right balance with book critics and reviewers appreciating my light-hearted Irish humour.
What is one thing you hope readers take away from your story?
I hope readers find my story entertaining and uplifting, seeing that hard times can be used to fuel positive change.
What is one piece of advice that you would give to someone who is struggling to find the motivation to change their life?
Break the end goal down into manageable pieces. There’s always take a tiny step today. Training to run 35 marathons in 35 days wasn’t about doing one 500-mile training run. That would be an impossible starting point doomed to fail. I trained 5 miles one day, 3 miles the next, 10 miles the next, and lifted some weights the next day and so on. Within months, I was a comfortable marathon runner. Then I became an ultramarathon runner. The exact process applies to writing a book, starting a business or anything. Consistent small steps will get you to the mountain’s peak.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Website
Marathon Man
Marathon Man by Alan Corcoran is an inspiring story about a long-distance runner who prepares to conquer a series of goals, including consecutive marathons within a month, while experiencing unexpected changes in his personal life. When Alan’s father has a stroke, this propels him to take greater control in a challenging situation and focus on the positive, creative options available to support his father. Alan’s ability to adapt and take charge of a difficult situation makes this story a fantastically uplifting read.
As Alan plans to accomplish an incredible feat by running 35 marathons in a row, every day for 35 days, he becomes determined to apply his ambition to raise funds for cancer and stroke charities. He continues to support his father through this process while focusing on his goal to become the first person in Ireland to achieve consecutive marathons. While Alan remains focused on his physical goal, he quickly works to combine his running challenges with fundraising, achieving multiple goals at once.
The author narrates a lively and motivational tale about taking the reigns of in an emergency and shows how Alan made the most of his father’s recovery with quick-thinking, action and creativity. Alan’s sense of humor and generous nature are endearing and authentic and that heartfelt emotion comes off the page. He offers a humble but uplifting story that will keep readers eagerly turning pages to see what happens next because, as we learn more and more about Alan, we know that whatever comes next he’ll tackle it with surprising vigor. The author demonstrates an impressive resilience for a twenty-year-old, with a determined effort to raise awareness about heart and stroke health.
Alan Corcoran’s Marathon Man is an inspirational memoir that’s easy to read and will leave you feeling like anything is possible. This book offers a glimpse into an incredible personal journey. The author is able to to shift a tragic experience into a light-hearted story about determination and resilience. Marathon Man is a well-written account of one man’s ability to make the most out of a challenging experience with excellent results.
Pages: 287 | ASIN: B08TTBKV9M
Siggy the Soccer Dog
Sigmund, the dachshund, lives in Somerset with his family, the Barker’s. Sigmund goes by the name Siggy. One morning he was sleeping and having an amazing dream that he was playing in the FA Cup Final. The crowd sings his praise, they cheer him on, and he makes his way out on the field. Siggy races down the field, ready to score the winning goal when he is hit from the side. The team must regroup and try again to win the game. Injured Siggy still plays and encourages his team and spreads his message of kindness to all.
Siggy the Soccer Dog by author Brian Frederick is a heartwarming picture book about Siggy the dachshund who looks for ways to share his message of kindness in everything he does. This imaginative book teaches children about soccer, going over some of the rules and explaining the gameplay. Siggy focuses on teamwork. There are a lot of mentions of the team working together to try and score a goal. While Siggy is the star of the game in his dream, he never lets that go to his head. He shares the success with his team.
My favorite parts in this entertaining children’s book were the two chants that are sung for Siggy. Using the tune of Chim chim cher-ee and Happy, children can easily identify the rhythm and sing right along with the characters in the book.
When reading through this story, the illustrations by Vivien Sárkány jump off the page with the excitement of the characters playing on the field. The whimsical artwork integrates well with the words on the page. They are not separate entities; instead, they flow together, creating a well-composed image that will captivate and keep young readers engaged.
Siggy the Soccer Dog is a beautifully written picture book that shares the message of kindness with young children. This joyful book is perfect for preschool, kindergarten, and young elementary readers. I can easily see a teacher reading this in front of their class, entertaining and educating students.
Pages: 27 | ISBN : 978-1-7399064-9-8
The Fall of 1972
The Fall of 1972: A season for the Perfect Storm (The Story of a Dream Season), by writers Dr. Randy White and Michael Valentino, is a powerful account of a historical time period when the game of basketball reshaped the course of life for many at the Sam Houston State University. This book is a standalone manifesto of the then Sam Houston University’s basketball squad and how the Bearkats made history as the NAIA Champion. The Bearkat’s journey from early recruiting to winning a title in the fall of 1972-73 is extraordinary.
Dr. White and Valentino give a full spectrum of information regarding this so-called storm created by the Bearkats. The beginning of the book gives readers a brief overview of the game of basketball and its situation in the South, especially with African American basketball players. How the coaching staff recruited such a talented group of young players from all over the country and how the team charged ahead to bring the perfect storm is beautifully portrayed.
This book can be an excellent read for any sports enthusiast, especially basketball fans. This book flows at a good pace with organized chapters and simple language. The interview chapters give readers an in-depth look at things and how the people felt as history was being made. The authors are successful in showing a bird’s eye’s view of the spectacular victory of Bearkats with so much authenticity and passion. Reading about the players, their hard work, and how they played as a team for the love of the game is beautiful. In addition, the authors have given a good introduction of everyone involved in the 1972/73 Bearkats team with photographs and their whereabouts.
The Fall of 1972: A season for the Perfect Storm (The Story of a Dream Season) is a beautiful memoir of the grit and grind of the young players of Sam Houston State University. This inspirational story tells how they paved their way to success for their team and for many generations of basketball players to come. This is a memoir that I highly recommend.
Pages: 126 | ISBN : 149316922X
Coaching Like a Champion
Coaching Like a Champion: Eight Essential Building Blocks for Taking Any Sports Program to the Next Level is the ideal book for you if you are a coach or a trainer. The author gives a step-by-step guide on coaching like a pro and getting your players to reach their targets swiftly. In his book, Steve Miller gives direction, advises coaches, and uses real-life situations to expound on various topics. The author uses a warm and modest tone when talking about coaching. One can feel the enthusiasm Steve Miller has through his writing, and that he has vast knowledge on this subject.
In his book, Steve Miller wrote eight chapters, each focusing on elements that center on being the perfect coach. He discusses critical topics such as: communication, humility, accountability, mental toughness, passion, integrity, overcoming adversity, and never settling. One of the most vital subjects in the book is on communication, Steve Miller writes in-depth on how communication can either build or destroy a team. How coaches and players express themselves or exchange ideas is critical. The conversations in the locker room, pitch, or outside can determine the strength of a team. I found the author to be insightful, refreshing, and objective. The topic of communication is helpful not only to coaches but also to players.
Each of the chapters in the book has something that will enlighten the reader. How the author talks about experiences in the field and what he has observed over the years tell one that a lot of coaches need to have to be good in their craft. The topic of Mental Toughness was another favorite. While reading this chapter, I realized that it takes more than just physical strength to be a rated, first-rate player. The author has words of wisdom for coaches and gently lays down ways a coach can improve the player’s mental toughness while in practice. The author advises that coaches have a practical game plan. He also writes that by boosting players’ mental toughness, they can better their confidence, focus, composure, and performance.
By the end of the reading, the reader is well-versed in coaching and the crucial skills one needs to have as a coach. I loved most about the author’s ability to relate to what he was discussing. You do not need to be a coach to enjoy this book.
Coaching Like a Champion: Eight Essential Building Blocks for Taking Any Sports Program to the Next Level can help you advance your expertise in whatever field you are in. Self-Help and sports enthusiasts will equally find this book beneficial.
Pages: 70 | ASIN : B07MBFM19W
A Universal Fantasy
Born for the Game follows a man that has worked hard for all he has in life, now he wants to create the perfect baseball player. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
The original idea grew from a story I heard in the 1970’s about a blind man who tripped over his dog’s dish, hit the wall with his head and was able to see. I thought that there are tremendous possibilities within the brain. I played a lot of ball as a kid, so I originally thought of a baseball player who hits his head in a car accident and becomes the greatest ballplayer of all time, even though he was well past his prime. The story changed over the past 40 years, but the concept of being the greatest of all time and the challenges accompanying that lofty goal, remained the crux of the story. What does it take to be the greatest at anything? This is a universal question and dreaming about it is a universal fantasy. Someone has to be the best. Why not me? Why not you? The possibility of it, albeit slight, exists, and that’s what makes it so much fun to imagine.
Ryan Stone is the result of Phineas’s plan for the perfect player. What were some driving ideals behind her development?
When I was looking at a story with all-male characters, I thought it was in desperate need of a strong female presence, so I thought that the challenges facing a female to be the greatest baseball player adds so much more fuel to the story’s fire. Once I decided on that concept, I began thinking what a female would have to do to be better than men. Just because it’s never been done before doesn’t mean it cannot be done. Those who lived before the Wright brothers could have never imagined that a ton of steel and fuel could fly through the air to deliver people and goods all over the world or that picture and sound could be transmitted through airwaves into space and then shot down into your phone or TV. Just because it hasn’t been done, doesn’t mean it cannot be done. I had to build a story where this idea was feasible.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
The pursuit of dreams, love, betrayal, gender roles, and how choices drive our life’s journey.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
It’s hard to say at this point because I decided to work on getting a literary agent this year. I’d like to see my books as films. First, I write the screenplay and then I write the novel. Writing one book for me is writing two. I have several ideas for other stories and none of them are in the sports genre. I’ve written four books and a short story in the sports genre… although I really do flip genres during my stories, so this next one will be a whole new platform. I have seven or eight ideas scribbled on a piece of paper, but I won’t even begin until at least a year from now.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website
Multi-award-winning author Mike DeLucia is back with new and exciting characters, and a story about the pursuit of dreams, love, betrayal, and how choices drive our life’s journey.
Phineas Stone’s life as a dwarf and a product of the foster-care system mold his dogged determination to rise above his meager circumstances and build a financial empire. But even his magnificent wealth and influence cannot buy his lifelong dream of playing baseball for his beloved Los Angeles Greyhounds.
Together with Rollie Rollins, a former Major League knuckleballer with a penchant for mischief, and his longtime friend, Ito Hachi, Phineas effects a brilliant, yet unorthodox plan of creating an elite athlete under a veil of secrecy and pretense.
The characters in this story are driven by their dreams, but ultimately realize that chasing them brings with it the possibilities of both rapture or insufferable tragedy.
LITERARY TITAN 