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The Cactus League
The Cactus League: A Novel | Emily Nemens
10 posts | 11 read | 22 to read
An explosive, character-driven odyssey through the world of baseball from Emily Nemens, the editor of The Paris Review Jason Goodyear is the star outfielder for the Los Angeles Lions, stationed with the rest of his team in the punishingly hot Arizona desert for their annual spring training. Handsome, famous, and talented, Goodyear is nonetheless coming apart at the seams. And the coaches, writers, wives, girlfriends, petty criminals, and diehard fans following his every move are eager to find out whyas they hide secrets of their own. Humming with the energy of a ballpark before the first pitch, Emily Nemens' The Cactus League unravels the tightly connected web of people behind a seemingly linear game. Narrated by a sportscaster, Goodyears story is interspersed with tales of Michael Taylor, a batting coach trying to stay relevant; Tamara Rowland, a resourceful spring-training paramour, looking for one last catch; Herb Allison, a legendary sports agent grappling with his decline; and a plethora of other richly drawn characters, all striving to be seen as the season approaches. Its a journey that, like the Arizona desert, brims with both possibility and destruction. Anchored by an expert knowledge of baseballs inner workings, Emily Nemens's The Cactus League is a propulsive and deeply human debut that captures a strange desert world that is both exciting and unforgiving, where the most crucial games are the ones played off the field.
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JoyBlue
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Mehso-so

You don‘t have to be a baseball fan to enjoy this, but be ready for major drama. Read my full review here: https://debbybrauer.org/#the-cactus-league

32 likes1 stack add
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Whizwith526
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Mehso-so

Crash but for spring training baseball

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mrp27
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#litsyspringbreak #ballgame

I enjoy baseball, one of the few professional sports I like to watch and attend games but never have I ever read a book about baseball. This one looks interesting.

TheKidUpstairs Ooh, this sounds good! 4y
26 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Chiperskee
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Bunny hill spectator

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SheReadsAndWrites
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1) These are my kiddos who are my heart and my joy. ❤️
2) The Cactus League - If I can't watch baseball, I'm gonna read about it. ⚾️
3) Organizing plans to get all 3 kids home from colleges that are shutting down and going online. 😬
@4thhouseontheleft
@howjessreads
#Friyayintro

PaperbackPirate 😭 I miss baseball too! ⚾️ 5y
SheReadsAndWrites It's so awful without it! @PaperbackPirate We have been watching Ken Burns Baseball to have it around as much as we can. 5y
27 likes2 comments
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samizdat
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TheBookStacker
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#bookmail to cure my job rejection blues. Coincidentally both books are blue 😳

Jennick2004 Oh sweetie I‘m sorry...the right one will come along 💜 5y
TheBookStacker @Jennick2004 thanks! I am keeping faith that the right thing will come along eventually and I‘m soothing the sting of rejection with books. 5y
Megabooks Sending good vibes!! I hope you find something wonderful soon. 💕 5y
Texreader That‘s bummer news! Here‘s hoping the best for you!!! 5y
TheBookStacker @Megabooks thanks so much! @Texreader yeah I‘m bummed but thanks I‘m hoping something good comes along! 5y
54 likes1 stack add5 comments
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Jas16
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Pickpick

A series of glimpses into the lives that make up the ecosystem of a baseball team at spring training. We get to see the ambition, jealousies, desperation, and victories from the players and those who circle the game,some out of love for the sport and some just wanting a piece of the magic. At the center is Jason Goodyear, the star player in crisis, and what he represents to them all. I might not be a baseball fan but I am a fan of this book.

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Something is on it‘s way to you ❤️❤️❤️ 5y
Jas16 @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Misty! You didn‘t have to do that! 5y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @Jas16 I‘ve had it planned and just had so much happen that I couldn‘t get some stuff out in time 😪 I hope you don‘t already have it!! Happy New Year!!! Love you!! 5y
55 likes1 stack add3 comments
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Lauren.Archer
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Pickpick

What an amazing read. At first glance, I thought a book at baseball, probably not for me. However, after hearing more and more about it, I knew I had to get my hands on a copy. Even though this book centers around baseball there is actually very little baseball in this novel.

For my full review, please visit my blog at: http://obsessedbookaholic.com/2020/01/03/the-cactus-league-book-review/

75 likes1 stack add
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Well-ReadNeck
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Pickpick

Back when The Art of Fielding came out and everyone and their brother were recommending it, I kept saying, "A book about baseball? No thanks." And, I kept hearing, it's about so much more than baseball. Eventually, I just picked up the book . . . it was amazing.

In 2020, I'll be the one telling everyone else . . . it's about so much more than baseball, just pick up the dang book.

A great debut.

#netgalley

Cinfhen Great review and now I‘m intrigued ❤️ 5y
JennyM @Cinfhen me too, because I loved The Art of... #stacked!! 5y
CarolynM You've drawn me in too. Stacked. 5y
ErickaS_Flyleafunfurled I thought the same thing about The Art of Fielding, so I‘m convinced to check it out now! 5y
77 likes9 stack adds4 comments