It’s the nature of book blogging to focus mainly on new releases, but there are thousands of great books out there that haven’t seen the “New Releases” shelf in years. We hope to be able to bring attention to some older titles that may not be at the top of the current bestseller list, but still deserve a spot in your To-Be-Read pile.
This week’s oldie-but-goodie is two books, both among my favorites. I just re-read them a few days ago:
RUNNING THE BASES: definitely not a book about baseball.
Published: September 13th, 2005
A hilariously honest look at the misadventures of teenage dating.
Alan Macklin is your average 17-year-old guy with a simple goal. He wants to get a girl. But trial and error has made one thing perfectly clear: when it comes to the opposite sex, Alan keeps on striking out. Repeatedly. And painfully. He knows he needs help. His friend Jeremy proves useless, so he turns to someone who might actually have some good advice.
Maggie Macpherson has lots of goals for herself, including a career in law or psychology or both, but she needs some cash to reach them. Alan becomes the perfect client for her new consulting business: a desperate guy with a simple objective and deep pockets. For a fee, she takes on the Alan project and coaches him from girl to girl, base to base.
With Maggie’s guidance Alan comically builds his dating experience until he’s convinced he can get along without her coaching. But soon he’s washed up on the romantic shores, dumped by the woman of his dreams. Once again, there’s only one person who can give Alan the advice he needs… but he has to be willing to listen.
From Goodreads:
HOMERUNPublished: October 31, 2006
Alan Macklin has started his first year at university and he’s saying goodbye to his old life: no more curfews and parental interference, no more high school courses he doesn’t want to take; and, most importantly, no more striking out with girls. At least that’s the plan. But the world of university dating is more complicated than he ever could have imagined. Even his devoutly religious roommate seems to have more luck than him. His ex-girlfriend Maggie still gives him advice, but it seems that no matter what, Alan can only get so far with a girl.
These books are sweet, honest, funny contemporaries about a boy just trying to find his way through the wide world of dating. Paul Kropp has a gift for creating really authentic characters – Alan’s voice is hilarious and silly, but also has a lot of heart. Maggie is awesome, smart, and really with it – I love strong female characters who are strong without special powers. I would definitely recommend these to anyone looking for an unconventional contemporary novel. Also, bonus: Canadian! =)
Any old releases you’re dying to share? Hit up the comments and let me know!
Oh these sound sweet! Funny too. My TT is on my blog.
These sound too fun! I found myself grinning just at the synopsis. I'll have to check them out 🙂
Thanks for participating!
These sound so good. I love books from the male perspective. And I like the idea of the boy just wanting to find a girl, and not knowing how. And he is a good guy! That is so rare, in these days of bad boys.