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3.94 AVERAGE
3.94 AVERAGE
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
I enjoyed this, but I think I expected more since it was listed as the top book of the year overall from Amazon.
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
This story about the deaf 8-man football team from Riverside, California came to my attention because it was 2024 Amazon book of the year. I love true stories and was intrigued. Even though I am not the biggest sports fan, I am a fan of real people overcoming challenges and a fan of belonging and community.
Journalist Thomas Fuller writes about these people who are full of heart and deal with real challenges on and off the field. Not only do we get to hear about the two seasons the Cubs dominated in, but Fuller also reports to us the history and culture of deafness. And the personal stories of the coaches and players are shared in ways that do not detract from the timeline of the 2021 and 2022 seasons.
This is an inspiring and emotional account of persistence, grit, and determination. Read it if you like football, underdog tales, or stories of achievement. The Boys of Riverside has those things and more. I look forward to my book club discussion and hearing if the others teared up and smiled like I did while reading.
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
There's a moment in "The Boys of Riverside" where Thomas Fuller describes how the NFL 360 production team, frustrated that coach Keith Brown's pregame motivational speeches are not compelling enough, writes one for him and then, still unsatisfied, asks him to redo the end. It's funny to hear how manipulated something that purports to be the truth is. I laughed along with Fuller, but I also thought...well it'll probably be more compelling than this book is.
While the team's story is impactful and I learned a lot about the deaf community and the history and use of ASL, the book itself lacks focus. I can't remember which player or coach was tied to which backstory so it was hard to connect with anyone. Then most of the second half of the book is just play-by-play descriptions of the games themselves, which is hard to get into, especially without all the slow-motion, close-up kind of shots you'd get in an NFL documentary.
I'll admit I was hoping for some "Boys in the Boat" magic, but unfortunately the "Boys of Riverside" fell short.
While the team's story is impactful and I learned a lot about the deaf community and the history and use of ASL, the book itself lacks focus. I can't remember which player or coach was tied to which backstory so it was hard to connect with anyone. Then most of the second half of the book is just play-by-play descriptions of the games themselves, which is hard to get into, especially without all the slow-motion, close-up kind of shots you'd get in an NFL documentary.
I'll admit I was hoping for some "Boys in the Boat" magic, but unfortunately the "Boys of Riverside" fell short.
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
emotional
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
A rousing, feel-good true story of the high school football team of California School for the Deaf, Riverside, CA, and their quest for the state championship. It's a perfect combo of player bio, background of deaf culture, and play-by-play action. I am not a football fan, but this book had me hooked.
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
hopeful
informative
medium-paced