Memories and Mortared Skeletons
This collection of stories in the Creative Nonfiction genre was put together by my Creative Writing II class in 2003. Our goal was simply to pick a house in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia and write. Just write. What followed is an interesting mix of history, bittersweet reflection, and life-changing realizations. My (Steve Hudak) selection can be read by clicking on the book's cover.
Pure Baseball by Keith Hernandez
This quite technical book is only for the true baseball fan. Former New York Mets first baseman, Keith Hernandez, dissects two games pitch by pitch in great detail. One game in each the National and American leagues. He attends one game in person and one he watches on television to give different fan perspectives.
review by stephen hudak
A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson
Travel writer BIll Bryson creates a humorous travel diary of his and his equally incompetitent hiking companion as they attempt the Applachian Trail. As the "AT" passes less than a half-mile from our home in the Shenandoah Valley and having hiked a tiny bit of it with my lovely wife I was quite intrigued by his descriptions.
Read about how his companion thought a backpack of little debbie snacks was the way to go until after the first few hours...
review by stephen hudak
Darkness Visable by William Styron
Author of "Sophie's Choice" describes the insomnia and sense of impending doom that led to his descent into deep depression and the brink of suicide. Styron courageously opens up his life and gives the reader a look at a very important societal issue. Far from being a "downer" this books actually inspires and opens ones eyes.
review by stephen hudak
The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis
Well-known Christian writer C.S. Lewis creates a thought provoking novel written from the perspective of a senior demon, Screwtape, to his understudy, Wormwood. It takes a few pages to get into your mind that when Wormwood is speaking of the enemy he is speaking of Jesus. Eye-opening and interesting...
review by stephen hudak
Notes from the Road...by Ellis Paul
This journal-book by my favorite musician contains many of his poems, songs, and day to day thoughts written from his songwriter's heart and eye for saying so much in so small a space as is allowed by the typical song.
Check out his website by clicking on the book cover.
review by stephen hudak
On Writing by Stephen King
Taking a break from scaring the crap out of his readers, Stephen King, instead tells you how he does it. This is an excellent tool for anyone interested in the craft of writing.
King used to collect his rejection slips on a peg on his wall until he was finally published. My rejection slip pile is small but growing...
review by stephen hudak
The Ragamuffin Gospel by Brennan Manning
Manning writes a book that gives hope to one such as myself who has lost faith in some things along life's way. This book is more what I feel Jesus would say if he wrote in today's language. He has compassion for those unworthy and does not judge as does so many of his so-called "called."
review by stephen hudak
Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer
Well-know outdoor writer (Into Thin Air) takes a look at the strange death of Chris McCandless in the Alaskan wilderness. Chris' skeletal remains were found in an abandoned bus just a few hundred yards from a stream that would have taken him to safety.
Krakauer backtracks along McCandless' path with interviews from those who had last seen him. Friends. Stangers offering this hitch-hiking young man a ride. And others...
review by stephen hudak
No Horizon is so Far by Liv Areneson & Ann Bancroft with Cheryl Dahle
Two mid-40-something women, one from the United States & one from Norway, both Polar explorers, both former teachers & both sharing the same dream since their youth… to cross the continent of Antarctica and while doing so, bring the journey to school children around the world.
This is their amazing story, told from their perspectives chronicling the journey which starts well before they ever get to Antarctica, following them for 2300 miles while they skied and tugged 250 lb. sleds across the frozen landscape. The expedition took place in late 2000 and early 2001. Perhaps you remember hearing something about it in the news? Read the book and learn more about this incredible undertaking. Also, check out their web site at yourexpedition.com to see what they’re up to now.
review by Robyn Sunday - Evansville, Wisconsin