The Art of Fielding by Chad Harbach

This was one of my favorite books of the year. It was a pleasant surprise as it was a suggested title by one of the members of our book club. I kind of rolled my eyes when I heard it was about baseball, and it has a baseball theme, but the characters in this novel make the book. The story takes place in a small college on the shores of Lake Michigan. It is about a baseball star whose dream of making the major leagues has faded and he has chosen another one of the freshman to mentor. The cast of characters in this book is amazing and I shall never forget them: from crusty tough Henry Skrimshander to lovely tender Owen Dunne. They are dysfunctional, loveable guys that you will not soon forget.

It is Chad Harbach’s first novel and it is definitely a winner. All of us in the book club totally loved it. Definitely a recommended novel.

-Vicki