3 posts tagged “james patterson”

Okay, I've been busy. Here's my catch up...

#29 - 8th Confession by James Patterson. This was a typical James Patterson novel within his Women's Murder Club series. The pace of course was fast, the language, descriptive, but not annoyingly so. I found the plot a little simple and I'll even go as far to say it was a little underdeveloped (yeah, like I should have an opinion...) I think that Mr. Patterson keeps this series a little lighter, bordering on 'beach read'.

It was a good book and I will read the 9th installment. I won't run out and buy it, but I may stroll into the library a few months after it is released and see if it's available.

#30 - Final Warning by James Patterson. This is the fourth novel in Mr. Patterson's 'Maximum Ride' series. I really enjoy this series although the intended target reader is a teenager. These novels are action packed and even a little inspiring. The lead characters are good role models (although they are constantly kicking ass) and I feel much better about my 14 year old niece loving this series (she does) rather than the Twilight series (ugh, don't get me started).

At times I can't believe how well Mr. Patterson writes from the perspective of an angry, conflicted teenage girl. Some of the phrases he uses makes me laugh out loud. The global warming issue was a little overdone, but in general it was a great read.

The only dissapointing aspect of this novel was its length. It was short. I purchased the paperback for my niece and I quickly finished it and discovered a quarter of the book was previews for the next Maximum Ride novel, and 2 previews for Patterson's Daniel X series.

#31 - The Last Juror by John Grisham. I was positive that I had read every novel Grisham had ever written (except Skipping Christmas), and when I picked up this novel and began reading trying to jolt my memory I couldn't believe that I hadn't read it.

This was a good book - very typical in style and pace for a Grisham story. It was however, far from my favorite, but good nonetheless. I found this story to be a little less bloody and disturbing than other novels I have read, and that was actually nice. Certain character names in the book stuck in my head and I realized that a few characters were actually from the book/movie; A Time To Kill. I really enjoyed that crossover.

I would recommend this book to any fan of this genre.

#32 - The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls. This book was lent to my by a good friend (and fellow reader) of mine. I picked it up several times throughout the day and finished it before dark. This is an autobiographic account of a woman who grew up in extreme poverty. A total page turner.

When I finished reading it - I was surprised that the idea of mental illness was never expressed. It seemed obvious to me that these parents had issues beyond alcoholism and whatever general nuttiness inspired the flightly, neglectful, and selfish behavior the mother continually exibited. Perhaps the author did this on purpose - I'm not sure. I also found the author a little detached from the story. She never really expressed how she felt... even physical pain wasn't discussed. I suppose one would have to detach themselves in order to survive. I was shocked by the conditions in which she was raised. Appalled. I couldn't understand or relate to her parents, and I was frustrated and angry with them. I wanted to reach into the pages and slap sense into her parents - the author did an excellent job expressing her childhood, in a straighforward way. I felt while reading it that the author felt a rush of release of issues that she might have carried from her childhood into her adult world. It was dispassionate and felt like the author took one deep breath, picked up a pen and didn't stop, or allow emotion until she exhaled, finished her story and put the pen back down.

This was an excellent book. Simple, to the point, and in your face disturbing. Jeannette Walls should certainly be proud of herself.

7th Heaven (Women's Murder Club)

#27: 7th Heaven by James Patterson. This is the 7th (duh) book in the 'women's murder

Timeline: A Novel

club' series featuring Lindsay Boxer as the main character. It is quick, compelling and interesting as I find all James Patterson novels to be.

Normally I immensely dislike books written in 1st person narratives, but this one didn't bother me so much. The author switched the narrative between the main characters, and it was rather good.

I realized just into the book that somehow I missed the 6th book. That drives me crazy! I'm reading it now.

#28: Timeline by Michael Crichton. This book has been sitting on my shelf for maybe 2 years. I thought I had read it until I was packing up some books to drop off at the exchange library at our golf course and I had a closer look at the book.

I read this book in less than 2 days. It was a page turner and I enjoyed the historical context. It was a little bit long toward the end... I remember thinking, 'okay, whose turn is it to go missing?' In the end it was a great Crichton novel, and I found myself wondering if it could be successfully translated onto the big screen.

Double Cross (Alex Cross Novels)

Double Cross by James Patterson.

This is a novel featuring the reoccurring character, Dr. Alex Cross. It was a good, compelling read. I love the short chapters. Even the occasional first person style didn't bother me.

I have read many of his books in the past, and I always enjoy them.