The Silkworm by Robert Galbraith (JK Rowling)

Cormoran Strike #2

Genre
Fiction

Synopsis
Novelist Owen Quine has gone missing.  Hired by the wife of the writer to find him, Strike most follow the trail that unlocks secrets related to the new book the author has penned.  It seems there may be more to this disappearance than the wife suspects.  

Why Should You Read it?
It will have you chasing the clues and trying to figure it out before Strike.

What Can You Learn From the Author's Writing?
Descriptions of places and people are vivid and telling.  You can picture every single scene as if you were there.

Overall Rating
Four smiles and a wink

Private: The Royals by James Patterson and Rees Jones

Private Series 12.5 (Bookshot)

Genre
Fiction

Synopsis
The Duke's daughter has been kidnapped.
Can Jack Morgan and Private, Inc. rescue her before it's too late?

Why Should You Read it?
It's a fast-paced book that packs a punch of action.

What Can You Learn From the Author's Writing?
Action descriptions that keep the scene moving.

Overall Rating
Two smiles

Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult

Genre
Fiction

Synopsis
Removed from a case because of the color of her skin, Ruth Jefferson is put on a track she never imagined she'd be on when she questions her job as a nurse.  When the only son of a pair of white supremacists dies, Ruth is left as their scapegoat.  This case will raise important questions of race for Ruth, the white supremacist, and the lawyer who has never believed herself to be racist.

Why Should Your Read it?
Because it's Jodi Picoult.  Because she will make you question yourself and your beliefs in a way only she can.  Because it's relevant, real, and amazing.  Because you owe it to yourself.

What Can You Learn From the Author's Writing?
Cognitive dissonance.  There is no writer that I'm aware of who can thrust you into situations where you start to question everything you believe like Jodi Picoult.  Read this one to learn how to make your reader THINK in  amazing ways.

Overall Rating
5 smiles

Croak Series by Gina Damico

Full Series Titles (in order)
Croak
Scorch
Rogue

Genre
YA Fantasy

Synopsis
Lex is going through a delinquent teenager phase and her parents send her to spend the summer with her Uncle Mort.  Little do they know Mort will bring Lex into the business of reaping human souls for the Afterlife.

Why Should You Read it?
Emotional and creative, this story packs a PUNCH.  Damico is going to throw you into a world you have never even dreamed of-and yet you'll never once question its authenticity.  You'll believe in the afterlife, in grim reapers, and in love.  This one-HIGHLY recommended.

What Can You Learn From the Author's Writing?
The power of the twist and how to wrap up an ending (chapters, scenes, books, and trilogies).

Overall Rating
Five Smiles and a wink

Played by Liz Fichera

Genre
YA 

Synopsis
Sam and Riley can't stand each other.  That is until Sam comes to Riley's rescue on a weekend conference in the mountains.  Now Riley is determined to return the favor by granting Sam a favor that seems impossible.  That is, unless she completely ruins everything instead.

Why Should You Read it?
It's a fast read.  It's fun and edgy.  The characters are interesting.  It's a good feel-good, slightly funny break if you've recently read something incredibly serious. 

What Can You Learn From the Author's Writing?
The teenage voice is realistic.  Pay attention to the dialogue (including the inner dialogue of our protagonist).

Overall Rating
Three Smiles