Week 1

Well, I didn't get off to great start with my pleasure reading. When our class started, I didn't have any books at home that I hadn't already read. Thankfully, though, I had a list of books that I was hoping to read.  So, I ordered "Outliers" by Malcolm Gladwell from Amazon, but it didn't arrive till late this past week. In the meantime, I decided to reread a book that I read a few years ago called "The Life of Reilly" by Rick Reilly.  Rick Reilly is a sportswriter and for many years, he wrote for Sports Illustrated.  Each week, he wrote the article that ran on the inside back cover of the magazine. "The Life of Reilly" is a compilation of these back page articles with a few longer articles included as well.  Although Reilly's articles are always sports-related, they often have more to do with life than sports.  I think this is why his writing appeals to me. I enjoy the sports aspect of his writing, but his articles also have an emotional side that is more important than sports.

One of my favorite articles from "The Life of Reilly" is about a elementary school PE teacher and coach in Illinois who also officiates high school sports. One of his goals was to officiate a state championship football game. After years of officiating, he finally receives the letter saying that he has been selected to officiate in the upcoming state championship game.  Unfortunately, in the semifinal game prior to the state championship, he makes several inaccurate calls and the state subsequently forbids from officiating in the championship game. Also, he receives death threats and hate mail from the fans of the team that lost the semifinal game. He takes all of this extremely personally, enters a state of depression, and eventually attempts suicide. Fortunately, a neighbor gets him to a hospital and the doctors save his life. In the hospital, many of his former students and players come to visit him. At this point, he finally realizes that so many people love him and he still has a lot to live for besides just refereeing a state championship football game.

Stories like this are why I enjoy reading material by Rick Reilly. I enjoy reading about sports, but I really enjoy the extra meaning that his stories have as well. Below, I have included my reading log of dates and times when I read. As for next week, I am excited about starting my new book!

Reading Log
10/3: 11:15-11:45 pm
10/4: 12:00-12:30 am
10/6: 11:00-11:30 pm