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555 ratings | 326 reviews | avg rating:4.17

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2026 Reading Challenge

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Al Kratz has read 30 of 40 books.

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Al Kratz

Goodreads Author

Website

http://alkratz.com/

Twitter

silverbackedG

Genre

Fiction, Nonfiction

Member Since

February 2009

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While I have always thought of myself as a writer, it wasn’t until 2013 that I completely dedicated myself to a writing practice. In May of this year, I am retiring after 30 years in IT and am looking forward to dedicating even more time to art.

I write literary, character-focused, narratives exploring philosophical themes. I agree with Henry James that the most interesting subject is a fine but bewildered mind dealing with life. I strive for what Robert Gluck called a meticulous account of lightning striking. I often use humor to explore conventional events in unconventional ways. My goal for the work is to be as entertaining as it is informative.

Influences from the past: Kurt Vonnegut Jr., Flannery O’ Connor, John Steinbeck, Harry Crews, B ...more

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Al Kratz’s books

Average rating: 4.69 · 13 ratings · 8 reviews · 5 distinct works

	The Tony Bone Stories 4.80 avg rating — 5 ratings	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	T is for Train 4.50 avg rating — 4 ratings	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Off the Resting Sea 4.67 avg rating — 3 ratings	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Bold as Love it was amazing 5.00 avg rating — 1 rating — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Off the Resting Sea 0.00 avg rating — 0 ratings	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

More books by Al Kratz…

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Celebration

by Harry Crews

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Oct 04, 2026 08:23PM

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Exit Party

by Emily St. John Mandel (Goodreads Author)

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Sep 26, 2026 07:32PM

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It Will Come Back To You

by Sigrid Nunez

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Sep 06, 2026 08:33AM

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Al Kratz rated a book really liked it A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail by Bill Bryson	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Definitely a classic and like the marathon that the Appalachian trail is, there were moments half way to three quarters through, maybe the absence of Katz did it, but I didn’t care much about his solo one day hikes, but overall great book.
10 hours, 35 min ago · like · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Al Kratz is currently reading Celebration by Harry Crews	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Oct 04, 2026 08:23PM · like
Al Kratz finished reading Writing as a Way of Life: A Book About Art, Craft, and Devotion by Brian Morton	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Oct 04, 2026 08:19PM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Writing as a Way of Life by Brian Morton. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Writing as a Way of Life by Brian Morton <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Al Kratz is currently reading Exit Party by Emily St. John Mandel (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Sep 26, 2026 07:32PM · like
Al Kratz finished reading The Mirror & the Light (Thomas Cromwell, #3) by Hilary Mantel	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Sep 25, 2026 08:05PM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of The Mirror & the Light by Hilary Mantel. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — The Mirror & the Light by Hilary Mantel <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Al Kratz liked Jan Stinchcomb's review of London Falling: A Mysterious Death in a Gilded City and a Family's Search for Truth: "Fascinating and painful. A case study which takes into account the financial evolution of a major city, the influence of social media on reality and behavior, and the terrifying consequences of willful governmental neglect."
Sep 25, 2026 05:15AM · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of London Falling by Patrick Radden Keefe. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — London Falling by Patrick Radden Keefe <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Al Kratz liked Alaina Goodvin's review of The Covenant of Water: "Incredible!!! There is so much to unpack/discuss in this novel. Highly recommend as a book club pic. "
Sep 25, 2026 05:14AM · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Al Kratz rated a book liked it Three Uses of the Knife: On the Nature and Purpose of Drama by David Mamet	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
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Al Kratz started reading A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail by Bill Bryson	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Sep 23, 2026 08:20AM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Al Kratz rated a book really liked it Flesh by David Szalay	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Sep 22, 2026 01:07PM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Flesh by David Szalay. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Flesh by David Szalay <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">