Sunday, December 31, 2017

Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card

Genre
Science Fiction 

Synopsis
Ender 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 Rating
5 smiles




Thursday, December 28, 2017

The People vs Alex Cross by James Patterson

Book #25 in Alex Cross Series

Genre
Fiction 

Synopsis
Alex 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 Rating
4 smiles




Tuesday, December 26, 2017

113 Minutes by James Patterson

Genre
Fiction 

Synopsis
Molly 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 Rating
3 smiles


Friday, December 22, 2017

Empire of Lies by Andrew Klavan

Genre
Fiction 

Synopsis
Jason 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 Rating
3 smiles