I have always been an avid reader, and, of course, I am a lawyer – now with almost four decades of trial work in our American justice system. Over the years I've read many books, mostly fiction, although I find myself trending now toward reading more historical and biographical works. One thing I have always especially loved though, and still cherish, are the great legal novels. This, no doubt, because of the overlap between the joy I get from reading a good book, and the appreciation I have for a courtroom scene that is not only gripping on an emotional level, but also realistic. And by that I mean, at least squaring to a reasonable degree with some of the real-life dramas that I have been a part of in the course of my own years of trial practice.

In any event, with my lovely wife's help in searching used bookstores, antique shops, and Amazon.com, I started collecting a small library at Schauermann Thayer of great books about trials, law and justice. Our firm's secretary Linda then graciously volunteered to be librarian for the project. Originally this was started as a resource for office staff, so that they could check out and return books from the office library. But at that it won't get much use, as our staff is pretty small, so we would love for our friends and clients to participate as well, if any of you are interested.

In the queue already?

To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee

The Verdict, by Barry Reed

Anatomy of a Murder, by Robert Traver

A Time to Kill, by John Grisham

Presumed Innocent, by Scott Turow

A Civil Action, by Jonathon Harr

The OxBow Incident, by Walter Van Tilburg Clark

QB VII, by Leon Uris

Strangers on a Bridge, by James Donovan

If anyone reading this wants to check out one of these books, or has a suggested addition to the Schauermann Thayer Library of Books On Trials and Justice, feel free to call or email our Librarian, Linda, at (360) 695-4244, [email protected].

I often hear people say, “I saw the movie.” As if that is good enough. In some cases, films are indeed a decent partial rendition of a gripping historical drama or great piece of fiction. Even if so, however, at best, that is all a movie can be, just a summary of the real masterpiece. I say, curl up in an easy chair in your living room when it's quiet – and read the book. You'll be glad you did. A good book is hard to beat.