A Salute to Steve Kluger

I can't remember what led me to the writings of Steve Kluger (http://www.stevekluger.com/), but I do remember laughing aloud the first time I read Almost Like Being in Love and I definitely remember my growing despair as the pages dwindled!

I returned to these two titles this year because I needed some reading for the soul - something to make me smile and feel hopeful. If you can read about T.C.'s adventures and attempts to bring magic into the world of a young foster child and not be filled with hope, you're probably lacking something in the soul-ular region!

I will admit that on second reading I found myself less-satisfied (more bothered?) by Almost's ending - but the epistolary style and the repartee remained excellent! Excellent holds up better; Kluger's passion really shines - whether he's writing about baseball, love, friendship, or musicals - and that passion made me read other books (or look up the musical in question) just to share in the joy he was obviously feeling. In short, wonderful reads when you need the bound paper equivalent of a full, golden ray of sunlight!