Country Boy: Conveniently Wild Paperback – December 22, 2017

Mark Littell had a nine-year career as a pitcher in major league baseball. In recent years he started writing about his experiences both in and out of the game. He is a fluent, freewheeling storyteller and the reader is quickly drawn into his journey – the good, the bad, the ugly, and the laugh-out-loud funny. He has written three books so far. Each of them has its own unique color and energy and throws a spotlight on his life from a different angle, but they all share a common through-line of his growth as a person. Reading all three gives a vivid composite picture of where he came from and how he learned to handle adversity in a difficult profession.His authorial voice is consistent and strong. It’s worthy of note that unlike the vast majority of pro athletes who publish autobiographies, he doesn’t use a ghostwriter. These are all his own well-chosen words - straightforward, dryly humorous, with an eye for character.Country Boy: Conveniently WildIn his second book, Littell returns to his roots, focusing on his youth growing up on a farm in the Bootheel of Missouri. It’s a slice of rural life that’s likely unfamiliar to most readers. He describes the hair-raising escapades that he got up to with his brother – a few of their scrapes are so narrow that “daredevil” seems too weak a word to describe these two. Dynamite and teenage boys don’t mix. But these stories are more than just fun anecdotes – they are rich illustrations of the ways this youngster’s character was formed over the years by the experiences he had and the resilient people who raised him. His writing conveys a distinct sense of place and the era. He even includes an exotic recipe which you can try at home if you happen to run over a raccoon.Illustrated with photographs and some beautiful drawings by Jacki Kellum.

Enjoyable, funny, real life, easy reading, written by Mark Littell, former Baseball Player and a great Story Teller . This is a book of short stories written by Mark about growing up on a farm in Southeast Missouri. It makes your mind wonder back to your childhood days and the stories you would not want to tell about yourself........but Mark shares in his book "Country Boy Conveniently Wild". Each story makes you want to read the next one. What will Mark and Eric do next? I highly recommend it!! Looking forward to the 3rd book Mark. You will also enjoy the illustrations by Jacki Kellum.

What a fun read. I grew up with two older brothers that were basically the same age as Mark and his brother Eric. I laughed so much at the stories Mark told. I could envision my brothers pulling some of these stunts. Mark has a great knack for storytelling.It’s heartwarming to see how much love this family had for each other, their extended family, neighbors and friends. You get it all with this book.

Mark isn't a writer, he's much better, he's a storyteller. His stories, and how he tells them, remind me of Louis L'amour. L'amour always denied he was a writer but was a storyteller. Mark eases you into the comfort of life with him and his brother. Those who grew up in the Bootheel of Missouri will immediately recognize themselves in many of the antics of Mark and Eric. Those not from the Bootheel will find it funny and engaging. Many will say, "are you Sh*&ing me" an old baseball expression. Buy the book and enjoy. And added feature is that the book is illustrated by Jacki Kellum, also from Gideon, Mo. Lots of talent in that little town of Gideon.

I laughed in some parts until my sides ached! This book is the real deal. It's one of those “can this be real?” but let me tell you it is! It is a look into the life of a country boy turned pro baseball pitcher - no holds barred . The stories are endless and fun. Crazy country kids! But boy did they know how to have fun! I give this book 5 stars because it is worth it! I have shared it with so many people who love it just as much as I do! Can’t wait to see what the Author does next!

If you wish to read and understand how boys were raised on a farm this is the book for you. Please note the hard work , loving family and the respect of family that fills the pages of this book. Life was not easy during Mark's upbringing , times were extremely difficult but there is no mention of lack of love but only respect for his father and mother. I sense a Tom and Huck in Mark and his brother. Accomplish one crazy task we are still alive so let's try something different and more dangerous. I was glad to read Mark struggled to make 100 pounds of cotton picking weight everyday. Because I could never hit that 100 pound per day mark. But Mark worked for higher wages we were paid 3.00$ per hundred. Does not seem like a lot by today's standards but if you were allowed to pick for someone your considered yourself fortunate. Some of the wild and crazy things described in this book were ways country boys found enjoyment. I found amusing the story of Mr Littell going to Arkansas with a bottle of whiskey to get money owed to him or something in return. The town where he went was a alcohol dry county. And the trooper Gene Duckworth was well known to every young person in Southeast Missouri. Trooper Duckworth was as nice and polite as described in this book. I recommend you purchase this book to try and understand how growing up in the bootheel was like. I know there is conveniently wild things written about in this book but what I got most out of this book was the respect shown by both boys to their parents. Family love is shown throughout this book. Mark's love of his brother is on display throughout the book. I highly recommend this book and I hope you enjoy it as mush as I .