GenreScience Fiction
SynopsisEnder has been brought to training camp to see if he is ready to help defend Earth against the alien attackers. The only way to determine if Ender is the one is to break him down, and see what is left when only pieces remain. Is six-year-old Ender man enough for the job?
Why You Should Read it?I don't know how I hadn't read this one before. If you're like me and you missed it along the years, pick it up and go! It's wonderful.
What Can You Learn From the Author's Writing? I loved the duel story-lines giving you both perspectives at once.
Overall Rating5 smiles
Book #25 in Alex Cross Series
GenreFiction
SynopsisAlex finds himself on the wrong side of a courtroom after a shoot-out involving followers of Gary Soneji. On suspension pending the outcome, Alex is back to seeing patients with his psychology practice. But how long can that last, especially if he is found guilty?
Why You Should Read it?If you're an Alex Cross fan, you'll read it no matter what I say (like I would). If you're not...you should be. This is a good place to start.
What Can You Learn From the Author's Writing? If you write in the same genre, you'll need to learn new tricks. Enter James and his experts who bring you some great new tricks (used at a crime scene but brought out in court) and some coding talk.
Overall Rating4 smiles
GenreFiction
SynopsisMolly Rourke's son has been murdered. Her farm is going to crumble under the debt owed to the bank. What lengths will she go to to solve this problem?
Why You Should Read it?As far as bookshots go (I'm not a fan, usually) it's got a good story here. You don't feel like you're missing something and the characters are pretty developed. I have to say I'm totally confused by the minutes and seconds marked to start chapters. Someone explain that to me, please.
What Can You Learn From the Author's Writing? Shots chapters, as always from Patterson.
Overall Rating3 smiles
GenreFiction
SynopsisJason Harrow's normal life, with a loving church-going family of faith, is rocked by a phone call from his past that he decides to answer. From there, Jason is forced to watch as the life he has built begins to come apart. Threatened by forces he never imagined he'd be facing, Jason must decide whether to believe in a crazy story only he would have the chance to stop, or chalk it up to insanity and risk the lives of hundreds of strangers.
Why You Should Read it?The story is full of intrigue. It is a great read for those who like suspense.
What Can You Learn From the Author's Writing? The author does this interesting thing whenever Jason is watching TV. He makes a point to talk about the commercials that air as though they are one long commercial. It makes it obvious that they are ridiculous without the author every having to come out and say that.
Overall Rating3 smiles
GenreFiction (Romance)
SynopsisSugar Beth has to return to Parrish, Mississippi. A place where she ruled the high school and had everything she wanted. But it's not her world anymore, it's the world of her enemy. The plan to get-in, get-what-she-needs, and get-out keeps getting interrupted with memories and people from her past. Has Sugar Beth changed, or is being in Parrish enough to bring her crawling back to bad habits?
Why You Should Read it?
As is pretty common with romance, the characters are completely lovable and relate-able.
What Can You Learn From the Author's Writing? Dialogue. Her sharp tongued duo (Colin and Sugar Beth) were simply fun to read.
Overall Rating3 smiles
GenreHorror
SynopsisTwo couples find themselves broken down at an inn in the woods. Their plans to hunker down for the night and get help in the morning is thrown to the wayside when a dangerous killer traps them in the house. Can they escape with their lives?
Why Should You Read It? It's got a good supernatural twist, which is interesting.
What Can You Learn From the Author's Writing? Gross details you can weave into scary stories.
Overall Rating2 smiles. Overall this one was not my favorite and took me too long to really get into.
GenreFiction
SynopsisAlice's drop into Wonderland is a story we are all familiar with. But what happened to the family left at home during Alice's journey? What of the neighbor, young Ada, who topples down the rabbit hole after Alice? This is a story of places you know, yet tales you have never heard. A wonderful envisioning of a new angle to Alice's tale of Wonderland.
Why Should You Read It? It brings you right back to Wonderland.
What Can You Learn From the Author's Writing? How to weave higher vocabulary and real history into your fantasy story.
Overall Rating4 smiles
Genre
Fiction
Synopsis
The house at 7 Ocean Drive has a horrible history of death. Detective Jenna Murphy hasn't set foot on the Hamptons in years. Now she'll return to help solve a series of brutal murders. Can she figure it out before more blood spills at the house?
Why Should You Read It?
The who-done-it will keep you guessing until the very end.
What Can You Learn From the Author's Writing?
Suspense, giving the reader just enough to keep them turning pages.
Overall Rating
5 smiles, this is one of my favorite Patterson books (and that's saying something)
GenreFiction
SynopsisJoseph Bateman is waiting for the electric chair on death row as he reflects back on his life. A life that is full of bad people, terrible decisions, and one very powerful friendship.
This book explores the concept of how much control one person has on their circumstances. How far do your decisions really take you? Is your destiny in your hands or is it something beyond your control?
Why Should You Read It? Jason does a good job of developing character here. Joseph is, for all intents and purposes, a bad guy. He's on death row when you meet him. However Jason weaves his backstory and character in a way that makes him someone you will root for. It also throws in some Civil War history which is great for anyone who loves the time period.
What Can You Learn From the Author's Writing? Character development
Overall Rating4 smiles. Well done!
Land of Stories, Book 1
GenreChildren's Fantasy
SynopsisAlex and Conner find themselves in the fantastic world of fairy tales when they fall into a book. This premise reminds me of Neverending Story and the Magic Treehouse. It's simplistic and yet surprising and entertaining. I immediately handed it to my daughter who, despite the length, will love the tale.
Why Should You Read It?
It's a fast read and it takes you away from reality to a world you'll adore.
What Can You Learn From the Author's Writing?
Surprising people even when they know the characters rather well.
Overall Rating3 smiles.
Genre
Middle Grades Fantasy
Synopsis
What-the-Dickens pops into being without an understanding of who, or what, he is. Alone he survives, learning from the people among him, until he meets up with someone else who may be able to offer him answers. Delve into this exciting world to find out the truth about the tooth fairy, or fairies.
Why Should You Read It?It's an adorable take on the tooth fairy tale and a great story of independence and knowing yourself.
What Can You Learn From the Author's Writing?Story within a story. The real story here is the tale of two children during a hurricane who are being told the story of What-the-Dickens to keep their focus on something besides what is happening around them.
Overall Rating
3 smiles.
GenreFiction (Mystery)
SynopsisDead of an apparent stroke, Oscar leaves the care of his antique shop to his niece. She begins to sift through the contents and starts to wonder if Uncle Oscar's death may have been directly related to the Gold Rush legend he'd been investigating. This story is the tale of tulip-shaped cufflinks, an obnoxious neighbor, a badly stuffed kangaroo, and two cats who are loaded with personality.
Why Should You Read It?It's a quick mystery and lots of fun to read.
What Can You Learn From the Author's Writing?Why editors and "experts" say you should cut adverbs from your writing and how easily one can overuse adjectives.
Overall Rating2 smiles
Genre
Realistic Fiction
Synopsis
Yossarian is a bomber during War. He wants to fly his missions and go home. The problem is Colonel Cathcart keeps raising the number of missions that need to be completed before you can be relieved of service. Follow Yossarian and the boys as they try to find creative ways to end their service without ending their lives.
Why Should You Read It?
If you like military stories, this is a good novel for you.
What Can You Learn From the Author's Writing?
How to change characters in third person.
Overall Rating
1 smile. I have to be honest, I couldn't finish this one (making it the second book I've started and not finished in my entire life).
GenreFiction
SynopsisWade Watts, along with every other serious virtual reality player in the year 2044, is on the hunt for the ultimate prize left in the last will and testament of the famous designer of the OASIS alternate reality. They will do anything to master the game, including become experts on 1980s pop culture.
Why Should You Read It?Great take on a dystopian future completely immersed in virtual reality.
What Can You Learn From the Author's Writing?How to mix factual information needed for your story in with your story in a way that doesn't completely bore the readers.
Overall Rating4 smiles
