Matthew McConaughey | Turn the Page Reviews

Sycamore Row

by John Grisham

published by Doubleday

2013

Summary

Seth Hubbard is a wealthy man dying of lung cancer. He trusts no one. Before he hangs himself from a sycamore tree, Hubbard leaves a new, handwritten, will. It is an act that drags his adult children, his black maid, and Jake into a conflict as riveting and dramatic as the murder trial that made Brigance one of Ford County’s most notorious citizens, just three years earlier.
The second will raises far more questions than it answers. Why would Hubbard leave nearly all of his fortune to his maid? Had chemotherapy and painkillers affected his ability to think clearly? And what does it all have to do with a piece of land once known as Sycamore Row? (Goodreads)

My Review

I admit to having a soft spot for John Grisham novels. It started when I entered college and didn’t really have a lot of time to read for pleasure. Grisham’s books were easy reads, yet interesting and fun. I think I have read almost everything he has written, with the exception go Calico Joe. That being said, I was very excited when I heard he was writing a sequel to one of my favs, A Time to Kill. I loved that book, and it doesn’t hurt that I think of Matthew McConaughey whenever I think of Jake Brigance. Sycamore Row picks up with Jake and all the original characters three years after the Hailey trial. Jake become involved in the trial to challenge a handwritten will of a white man who killed himself, and left almost everything to his black housekeeper. It might seem at times that Grisham follows a formula to write his courtroom dramas, but this is a fun, captivating, fast read. If you enjoy legal dramas, and a look into sour country’s complex race relations, I word definitely recommend this book!

My Rating

4 out of 5 stars

This is a little fun survey created by Jamie over at The Perpetual Page Turner. I have wanted to do it for a few weeks, and finally decided to go for it!!

Author you’ve read the most books from:

John Grisham – started reading him when The Firm first came out.

Best Sequel Ever:

Hmmmm…this is a bit difficult for me-but I will sayThe Girl Who Played With Fire by Stieg Larsson.

Currently Reading:

Bellman and Black by Diane Setterfield

Drink of Choice While Reading:

Water. When it’s later, maybe a glass of chardonnay, but I do most of my reading before dark.

E-reader or Physical Book?

Physical book 85% and E-Reader maybe 15%- I borrow my daughter’s kindle when I really want a book from Net Galley, but otherwise I prefer a real book.

Fictional Character You Probably Would Have Actually Dated In High School:

Sirius Black in High School- later, I would want a Mr. Darcy definitely. Actually, my husband is a little like that, now that I think of it…

Glad You Gave This Book A Chance:

The Book Thief

Hidden Gem Book:

The Silence of Bonaventure Arrow by Rita Leganski

Important Moment in your Reading Life:

When, for the umpteenth time, I picked up a book from the library, only to read a chapter or so and realized I had already read it. That’s when I decided to start keeping track of all the books I read-and stretching those writing muscles- by writing reviews. Hence, this blog.

Just Finished:

The Never List by Koethi Zan

Kinds of Books You Won’t Read:

I usually do not read heavy romance. I like a light, beachy read, but straight romance is not my thing,

Longest Book You’ve Read:

Gone with the Wind– over 1,000 pages

Major book hangover because of:

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows-I think I actually turned right back to the front and read it again.

Number of Bookcases You Own:

4-two upstairs and two in the basement, but one of those actually has mostly kid’s books.

One Book You Have Read Multiple Times:

Pride & Prejudice

Preferred Place To Read:

on my deck

Quote that inspires you/gives you all the feels from a book you’ve read:

“He’d have been glad to witness her kissing his his dusty, bomb hit lips. Yes, I know it. In the darkness of my dark-beating heart, I know. He’d have loved it, all right. You see? Even death has a heart.”

from The Book Thief by Mark Zusak