Slam by Nick Hornby
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Let me begin by saying that I really love Nick Hornby’s books – they are funny but at the same time, heartwarming and real. You can easily relate to the screw-ups in his characters’ lives. The same thing for “Slam”.

“Slam” is about Sam, a sixteen-year-old boy who loves skating (not ice-skating but skateboarding) and talks a lot to his Tony Hawk’s poster. But a little accident happened that changed his life and the story goes from there.

At first glance, I really thought it would be a very “dude” book, talking about girls, skateboarding, going to pub and drinking beer, etc. But it’s not because Sam is unlike other “dudes”. He may seem idiotic at times but there is a sense of naivety to him and I can understand that because he is a teenager trying to learn his way through life and dealing with huge mistakes. He is also seemingly responsible and wants only the simplest things in life.

Sure, it seems a little crazy that he talks to his Tony Hawk’s poster but let’s be real, all of us do “talk” to our idols. Some of us tweet them or Facebook them or send them letters. This is the character’s way of trying to communicate with the idol that he relates to the most, in his own little way.

Anyway, I really do adore the book and you do not have to be a “dude” to read this or even understand skateboarding or know who Tony Hawk is. You can relate to the character no matter who you are because if I can learn one thing from this book, it is to never dwell much on the past but learn from it and move on with your life. You may not have the best life ever due to whatever circumstances but you have to make it the best that you can.

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