Those Guys Have All the Fun/Netherland

Those Guys Have All the Fun - James Andrew Miller and Tom Shales (2011)
Those Guys Have All the Fun is a telling oral history of ESPN told by the cable network's higher ups, programmers and on-air talent. There are plentiful looks on how and why the company succeeded as a business and has dominated the worlds of sports and entertainment for years, and those parts were somewhat interesting, but, what really attracted me to this enormous book (both literally and figuratively) are all the scandals that are detailed within. I would have looked more of that, and even more insight from the personalities that I especially enjoyed growing up watching Sportscenter (namely Keith Olbermann and Dan Patrick). Sure, a lot of ESPN's stars and higher ups come out sounding like complete douchebags, but man, that stuff is fun to read about it! If you have the patience and a technical mind to go along with that, there is a lot to be interested in in Those Guys Have All the Fun. Combine that with all the controversial drama (of which I expected much more of, but wasn't disappointed in what I had the pleasure to read here), and you've got some fun times ahead of you with this book.


Netherland - Joseph O'Neill (2008)
I think I allowed my expectations for Joseph O'Neill's critically acclaimed 2008 novel, Netherland, to reach unrealistic heights. While O'Neill's prose and dedication detail are outright fantastic and this story of a Dutch immigrant and his desire to fit in while living in post-9/11 New York City and trying to make it his home is weirdly relatable (we all want to fit in and make our homes exactly where we're at, right?), somehow I was still let down. There are points in the novel that slow down a little too much and get a bit dry, but, for the most part, they are easy to look past thanks to the rich characters and quirky subplot (making the sport of cricket popular in America). While I can't relate to main character Frans' immigrant status, the trials and tribulations he faces (fitting in, being comfortable in an overwhelming, giant, foreign place, keeping his family together) are all-encompassing. There are darker and mysterious touches that pop up here and there throughout the plot that really grabbed me as well. Aside from the boring passages and perhaps overwhelming amount of description (which, again, really is a compliment to O'Neill's skill), Netherland was still enjoyable and immensely touching. If Goodreads allowed half-star ratings, it would get a 3.5.