Halberstam's Teammates a must

David Halberstam knew how to write. His voluminous works that he left behind after his recent death is a tribute to his diversity as a writer and his belief in telling the WHOLE story.

In a shorter book than say "The Powers that Be," "Teammates" captures the essence of a rarely touched upon issue - the male friendship and the bond of being a teammate.

The story of friends last trip to see Ted Williams alive illustrates the camaraderie of men who played ball, made history, were icons, but still remained at their heart - simple men who enjoyed the basics of life, good food, good fishing, a nice roof over their head and the box scores for the Red Sox during the season.

These men weren't the superstars of today. They didn't hold out for millions upon millions of dollars. Baseball players today - like Roger Clemens - will make more in one game than these men made playing their entire lives - except for time off for wars they participated.

These men played for the love of the game, for the definition it gave them - not superstars, but teammates, not by the drugs they took to hit home runs, but for a batting record come by cleanly at .400.

Halberstam's book is a treasure. It's a glimpse into the pure age of baseball history from the view of some of the best known Red Sox players ever. It's a view into a friendship between men built over batting practice and decades of ups and downs, wins and loses, loves and heartbreaks.

It's a short read - don't let Halberstam's byline discourage you. Let the book take you back in time and then back to the present to a world where Ted Williams no longer lives, but his memory will hold on forever ... as long as there is baseball and as long as there are little boys learning to swing a bat and catch a fly ball.

Learning to Breathe not breathtaking

Karen White's book "Learning to Breathe" was a nice story. It was touching in all the right spots and even brought a tear of two to my eyes as the story of a life lived unfolded with disappointments and joy, but ... it didn't take my breath away.

The book was a disappointment in it's predictability. I knew within the first few letters read by Brenna who the mysterious ME was. I knew who she would end up with in the end. I could tell who the mysterious newcomer was within a few chapters of his arrival. It was all very easy to figure out and left that element of suspense back at the book store once you purchased the book and began to read it. I will say the path through the story was well woven, just not intriguing.

It's a fun, quick, easy read - great for a plane ride or a trip to the beach to absorb you just enough but to not make you think too hard about what's in front of you.

Don't expect any wild revelations or even twists or turns in this warmhearted book about overcoming hurdles, sometimes even the ones there from your very own family, and accepting the chance for happiness for what it is and not worrying about how it may feel if you lose it.

Sea Glass shouldn't be in the bargain bin

I picked up the paperback book "Sea Glass" for less than $6. It retails for $15. Anita Shreve, the author of the Oprah Book Club selection "A Pilot's Wife," would probably cringe to see the bargain priced sticker on her book. I saw it as a chance to give an author I enjoyed once another opportunity to entertain me.

With her beautiful imagery and historical research, Shreve weaves a tale of misguided love the devastation of the depression and how some people lost more than their homes and items in the crash, but they lost their lives, and their loves, fighting to hold onto what little dignity, pride and humility they had.

Shreve uses different voices throughout the story to capture the emotion, scene and unrest the characters face. Her eloquent prose keeps each page flowing into another until you realize hours have passed with this "bargain" book and you haven't put it down.

"Sea Glass" doesn't belong in the bargain bin.

Songs of the Humpback Whale a great trip

Let Jodi Picoult take you cross-country in a search for love, an identity and most of all a family connection.

Picoult tells the story through the voices of the main characters and chooses different points of the story to illustrate - don't look for the story to go from beginning to end. the chronologically challenged may find it hard to follow, but the style lends a unique sense of intrigue and interest to read the story. It's hard to put down once you are locked into the story.

For any mother and daughter or woman who has questioned the reasoning for her marriage, this is a book to explore. It may help you find the answers you - and the characters in this book - are looking for.

The tale of the cross-country trip paints a pretty backdrop to exploration of a family dynamic that is near implosion.

I recommend the book by New York Times bestselling author. It's worth the money for the journey she takes with you.