Late to the Dance

A lot of people, wait, change that.... a lot of women whose taste in books and movies I admire,  have recently told me that I need to watch Friday Night Lights.  Really? A TV series about high school football in Texas?  I could not imagine that it could possibly hold any interest for me.  But a rainy day came and laziness set in and I had recently watched the last episode of MI-5 (sob...).  So I gave it a try and I am completely hooked on the story of Dillon football, Coach Taylor and his family and all of the rest of the team.  Of course, I started thinking about whether there are any books about football or Texas out there that have humor and heart and I came up with these:


The Last Picture Show by Larry McMurtry.  (Fiction)  This is a classic tale of teenagers in small town Texas .  The three main characters, Duane, Sonny and Jacy, are dealing with growing up, wanting to escape and facing a changing future.  No action scenes in this one, but just a simple story that make you feel like you have known these people for a long time.  This is Larry McMurtry at his very best.

Semi-Tough by Dan Jenkins. (Fiction)  Follow the adventures of good ol' boy Billy Clyde Puckett, a New York Giant,  as he faces the Super Bowl in Los Angeles while dealing with a variety of crazy friends and wild women.  I read this one back in the 70's and while it may be a bit dated,  the raunchy humor and good spirited antics of the characters make this a keeper.

Playing for Pizza by John Grisham. (Fiction) Rick Dockery, fired in disgrace from the Cleveland Browns, finds himself the starting quarterback for a team in Parma, Italy. Football, food and wine, friendship and Italian culture combine for a charming, funny story from the king of legal thrillers.

Paper Lion by George Plimpton. (Nonfiction) This is the classic story of George Plimpton's pre-season with the Detroit Lions.  He shows the camaraderie among the players, the tension and pressure to excel and the passion both players and fans have for the game.  This book is a timeless look at an integral part of American life.

So if you are missing your Friday Night Lights, try one of these good books. As Coach Taylor would say, "Clear Eyes, Full Hearts, Can't Lose".........and, don't forget to keep those pages turning!