Likely Stories - Mr. Texas by Lawrence Wright

Sonny Lamb is a good old boy who cannot get things working on his ranch. He is always doing the wrong thing, like buying his own bull at action. This not only puts him more in the hole financially, but it makes him the joke of his small West Texas town. Who buys his own livestock? Sonny is nearly broke when a wildfire breaks out, and he rescues a child from a burning barn. Overnight, he goes from being mocked to revered as the local hero.

A political operator,L.D. Sparks, takes notice. He has a seat to fill in the Texas Legislation. It doesn’t matter that Sonny has no desire or experience, or has even really thought about politics. Those are just details. L.D. is well dressed, well connected, powerful, and deeply immoral. He can make anything happen in Texas politics, and he has chosen easygoing Sonny.

What begins now is a rodeo ride of ups and downs, being thrown a couple of times, but with an eventual win and a move to Austin. Sonny soon learns freshmen on the floor are like children, to be seen and not heard. They are to vote in the block they are told to. Sonny was over his head in ranching, but he is drowning at the state capitol.

Undeterred by L.D.’s continued devious guidance and temptations all around, Sonny is determined to make a difference his first time in office. He takes on a political cause from his daily West Texas life, brackish water. His plan is progressive and expensive, which irritates his party. It would be an excellent investment providing long term solutions to not only his district but to all of Texas. That really doesn’t matter to either side. Can’t someone control this kid? Doesn’t Sonny know his place? What unfolds is just like the old adage of laws and sausages, leaving the reader both sick and satisfied. Still, you are left with a deep love of our great state, and gratitude to those who have an impact and create positive change.

I read this book about a year go, and laughed and cringed in equal parts. Lawrence Wright, the author, holds nothing back. A former Texas Monthly journalist, he has obviously spent time in Austin and is knowledgeable of Texas politics.

“Mr. Texas,” a political satire by Lawrence Wright. You’ll find the story to be evenhanded, accurate, and entertaining, which we need in times like these.

RECENT EPISODES OF LIKELY STORIES

Likely Stories - The Soulmate by Sally Hepworth

The “Soulmate” by Sally Hepworth. Sally Hepworth is an Australian writer, and she is a New York Times bestselling author.How much are we willing to put up with when it comes to the ones we love? Is there such a thing as a perfect marriage? When are we enabling the ones we love instead of helping them? These are all questions you will ask yourself as you read this book.

Likely Stories - This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me by Ilona Andrews

Welcome to Likely Stories. I am Erin Penn and I would like to share with you my new obsession. “This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me” by Ilona Andrews, the first book in the Maggie the Undying fantasy series.“This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me”, but not for lack of trying.

Likely Stories - The Correspondent by Virginia Evans

Hello, and welcome to Likely Stories, everyone. I’m Paige Connell, and I am an English teacher, so it feels like, sometimes daily, I am “fighting the good fight” against the use of AI in place of real thinking and writing, the omnipresence of technology in our communication, and the detriment that those things can produce in a new generation. But lest I sound too cranky, let me say what a refreshing delight it was to read The Correspondent by Virginia Evans (and I do mean read it in physical form versus listening or reading on my Kindle, as even I am wont to often do).

Likely Stories - Love, Sivvy by R.L. Toalson

I'm Joe Riley, and this is Likely Stories. I recently accompanied my wife, a school librarian, to the Texas Library Association convention. She won an award, and I'm proud of her, but this is not a review of her, but rather of a book she picked up there: an autographed copy of 'Love, Sivvy', a novel inspired by the life letters and diaries of young Sylvia Plath.

Likely Stories - Saints and Liars by Deborah Dwork

I consider myself a fairly courageous person, but I will confess after reading this book, I’ve decided maybe not. To purposefully travel to foreign countries to put yourself in harm’s way to protect complete strangers is a level of bravery reserved for the military, not your neighbors.Welcome to “Likely Stories.”I’m Diane Kemper.

Likely Stories - Trouble Boys by Bob Mehr

Hi, Malcolm Foster here, operations assistant at KWBU and habitual stacker of books that one day, hopefully, will eventually be read. For this week's episode of Likely Stories, I’m combining two of my passions. Music and the written word.

Likely Stories - The Academy by Elin Hilderbrand

Hi, and welcome back to another edition of Likely Stories. I’m Paige Connell, and I teach English at Midway High School. Growing up, I went to a private school for many years, though it wasn’t a boarding school, and whether it’s in real life or in pop culture, I think there’s just something about the prestige and allure of a private academy that makes people want to know all the potentially lurid details of life behind the curtain.

Likely Stories - Why I Love Horror by Becky Siegel Spatford

I have a confession to make. I hate jump-scare horror movies. I always have. I don’t enjoy being startled. It took me until adulthood before I could even watch fireworks without bracing myself for the next explosion. (Truth be told, I still kind of do). I’m not a huge fan of gory horror movies either. And yet, I absolutely love horror novels.

Likely Stories - Something We Said: Richard Pryor, a Notorious Word and Me by Elizabeth Stordeur Pryor

I’m Kevin Tankersley, and this is Likely Stories.

Likely Stories - The Land and Its People by David Sedaris

My name is Maggie McCarthy and today I will be reviewing The Land and Its People by David Sedaris.