Bridgeport's Mike Florio, Known for Covering NFL, to be at Ohio County Public Library to Talk New Book
By Connect-Bridgeport Staff on August 26, 2023
The Ohio County Public Library in Wheeling will host Mike Florio, one of the leading writers and commentators covering the NFL, who is also a fiction writer, having recently published Father of Mine, a novel about the mob set in Florio's hometown of Wheeling, West Virginia. The event will take place as a special Thursday edition of Lunch With Books at the Library on August 31 at noon.
In 2020, finding himself with free time as the sports world was heavily impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, Florio decided to write his novel. 
An avid reader himself, he set out to create a narrative that would engross people and be hard to put down. The result is Father of Mine, which spans a decade in the lives of an organized crime family, and is based in part on Florio's real life experiences growing up in Wheeling.
An avid reader himself, he set out to create a narrative that would engross people and be hard to put down. The result is Father of Mine, which spans a decade in the lives of an organized crime family, and is based in part on Florio's real life experiences growing up in Wheeling.
"It’s inspired by the actual activities of the crew that ran my hometown of Wheeling, West Virginia and surrounding communities during those days," Florio said. "I know a little bit about it, because my dad worked for the group, as a bookie. He stumbled into that life for one very specific reason. He was a gambler, and he eventually figured out the house always wins. So he became the house."
Florio attended Wheeling Central Catholic High School and graduated in 1983. He then graduated from Carnegie Mellon University with two enginerring degrees and from West Virginia University's law school in 1991. He practiced labor law for nearly two decades, allowing him to incorporate his experience as an attorney into his storytelling.
The book has received good reviews. Kirkus Reviews, for example, says, "Fans of The Godfather and The Sopranos will recognize and appreciate the overtures that Florio makes on behalf of his creatively inspired mob family—particularly the central ordeal concerning Johnny and his son. Every stylistic nuance and dialogue inflection feels pitch-perfect...The novel’s conclusion has a twist that’s truly a surprise. An often engrossing crime epic about a mobster family’s intricate machinations."
The celebrated sportswriter Peter King included it on his annual list of Father's Day recommended reads, writing, "Well, how about this: Mike Florio wrote a mob tale! And it’s good! I found myself engrossed by the tales in here..."
The Library will have copies of Father of Mine on hand for sale and signing after the event.
Mike Florio is one of the leading writers, reporters, and commentators covering the NFL. His website, ProFootballTalk.com, has served as the primary online clearinghouse for all NFL news and analysis for more than two decades.
Lunch with Books is the library's flagship program for adult patrons. Bring a bag lunch and enjoy presentations by authors, poets, historians, musicians, and a variety of other people. Complimentary beverages are provided. Please visit the Library's website at www.ohiocountylibrary.org or call 2304-232-0244 for more information.
