Pete Recommends...

If you were a thinker or artist in the mid-19th century then you knew the Peabody Sisters. I like to think that I might have been hanging out with their crowd.

It works both as an an adventure book and as a running book. I usually find books about ultra runners to be self glorifying and overly dramatic, but this book is full of great characters.

Bowerman is like the Forrest Gump of running history. If there was a major event, then he was there.

A fantastic story about baseball, family, and religious philosophy. It's also a favorite of Globe baseball writer Amalie Benjamin as well as top Sox prospect Lars Anderson.

A history of New York City as told through the life of Cormac O'Connor which extends from 1741 to 2001. Despite the magic of the premise, this book is distinguished by the very real love that the author feels for his city. Unfortunately, O'Connor's story ends before A-Rod arrives so we don't get to see if his feelings about the city have been soiled.

Zena is one of the most evil, manipulative, and seductive characters that I have ever come across. I think I'm in love.

Worth a read if only for it's descriptions of the Irish coast, The Heather Blazing is a simply beautiful portrait of a family.