Equal parts hilarious (there's cursing - deal with it!), thought provoking and, surprisingly to me, poignant. I'm about 1/3 through and really enjoyin...moreEqual parts hilarious (there's cursing - deal with it!), thought provoking and, surprisingly to me, poignant. I'm about 1/3 through and really enjoying it a lot. (less)
Ugh! I swear, this will be my last ever Oprah Book Club book! Are ANY of these upbeat in any way? The blurb on this thing describes it as "fast, ...moreUgh! I swear, this will be my last ever Oprah Book Club book! Are ANY of these upbeat in any way? The blurb on this thing describes it as "fast, furious & funny" FUNNY?! It's horrible! Depressing & twisted the whole way. Not one HINT of a "yay, I crawled out of this mess" ending. Every character is hopeless & doomed from beginning to end. WHY is this considered GOOD literature? I'm more disturbed that the author carried this around in her head! Ok, I do admit is was a fast and furious read because I polished it off in one sitting. Had to. Didn't want these people hanging out in my head any longer.(less)
After feeling somewhat frustrated & annoyed by the Nina Reilly character in the last book of the series, this one was much much better and Nina was wa...moreAfter feeling somewhat frustrated & annoyed by the Nina Reilly character in the last book of the series, this one was much much better and Nina was way less frustrating. Loved the focus on Paul and his demons this time. (less)
Looking forward to finally diving into this book by a very good friend of mine!
Did not disappoint. Jan writes clearly and from the heart usi...moreLooking forward to finally diving into this book by a very good friend of mine!
Did not disappoint. Jan writes clearly and from the heart using real life situations from her past to highlight her points. Yes, it is all about how to open your heart & live to your full potential - a classic self help topic - BUT - I love how Jan consistently emphasizes that it is always YOUR choice. I really get that because I've always believed that the #1 person you should have faith in is YOU. I loved the chapter on loving your body by treating it to healthy eating & fitness and the excellent tips on how to do that. Jan's own joy and love of life is infused into her words and you can't help but feel uplifted and hopeful after reading this book!(less)
This is the third in a series about an attorney in Lake Tahoe that I have read. I think I am suffering from character fatigue. Or, maybe just stupid w...moreThis is the third in a series about an attorney in Lake Tahoe that I have read. I think I am suffering from character fatigue. Or, maybe just stupid woman protagonist fatigue? I liked the premise of the case she took on this time - murder was not the main focus, this time it was a palimony suit so a civil case vs criminal. I still love the characters around Nina, but, I am not quite sure about Nina anymore. I was also not thrilled with her client Lydia. There was just too much stupid female as victim going around in this story for my taste. Stubborn, blind & stupid! It kept me enthralled though - so much so that I stayed up until 1am just the third night into it to finish it, and I do like the overall writing style of The tandem sister writing team that is Perri O'Shaughnessy. For instance, I do like that this one did not end with everything wrapped up in some neat little bow. Nina is going to pay for her mistakes from this case for sure. I'll read more (think I have two more on my dresser right now), but I hope they move her character forward a little more. (less)
Reading this just after the GOP sweep in the midterms has left a bitter taste in my mouth. So much opportunity lost! Yet, Alter in many ways explains ...moreReading this just after the GOP sweep in the midterms has left a bitter taste in my mouth. So much opportunity lost! Yet, Alter in many ways explains why, even though the book was written before the election. It is amazing how an administration can do so much and receive credit for so little. Yes, a lot of it is superficial messaging. Yes, many of us who are political junkies were dying for a man like Obama to speak to us like adults after 8 years of 'Git 'er done!' But once elected, the White House teams' unwillingness to bend to some of that need for superficial messaging meant that he lost touch with all BUT the most dedicated, wonky supporters. Sure *I* loved learning how the sausage was made, but I'm a nut! The average out of work, or barely working American losing his house didn't give a rats ass. Alter does a great job explaining the machinations behind the scenes that happened and he rightfully highlights the very real, long term advances in foreign policy achieved by Obama personally. But this book also reveals those shortcomings that would grow into the discontent leading to the mid term losses. It's a great read for both supporters and detractors of this President. (less)
I really loved this one - almost whimsical somehow in the midst of a pretty horrific medical experimentation conspiracy plot. But the ima...more#47
I really loved this one - almost whimsical somehow in the midst of a pretty horrific medical experimentation conspiracy plot. But the imagery of the flying kids was really breathtaking. Made for a an unusual & interesting twist to the usual fast paced Patterson mysteries. (less)
Another one read within 24 hours start to finish. Still a lot of fun, but I didn't enjoy it quite as much. I'm already getting bored with...more#46
Another one read within 24 hours start to finish. Still a lot of fun, but I didn't enjoy it quite as much. I'm already getting bored with the criminal on an ego trip theme! Not enough to knock off a star obviously. (less)
#45 I know that I am jumping into the Alex Cross series kind of in the middle, but I really like this character. He's a nice blend of a tough stre...more#45 I know that I am jumping into the Alex Cross series kind of in the middle, but I really like this character. He's a nice blend of a tough street detective and a criminal minds style profiler but with a wonderful sense of humanity and sense of humor. I am noticing a pattern after just two of Patterson's books - his detectives are single dads for whatever reason with some fantastic family member helping take care of the kids. Of course they are put into danger as often as possible and are also used to show you that softer side of your hero and most especially since he is single he can be off looking for some romance too :-) We get to meet Alex's future love interest in this story. Quite convenient how one of the nasty killers Cross is hunting ends up taking out her poor husband. As with the first one, I love the writing style, the plot in this one was a little more to my liking though still with the deep dark conspiracy hanging over it so that the mystery is never *really* solved. That's annoying, but since I like Cross and his friends and family so much, it didn't bug. Must not have since I read it cover to cover in one day!(less)
Pretty sure this was my first James Patterson book, but I have 4 more in the pile I inherited so I am about to get to know him VERY well!...more#44
Pretty sure this was my first James Patterson book, but I have 4 more in the pile I inherited so I am about to get to know him VERY well!! I like his writing style as it lends itself very well to my desire for short chapters and keeping background information simple. When I pick up a thriller/mystery book I just want interesting/intelligent characters, a plausible plot & then some good action with just enough twists to make it surprising. Patterson met all the criteria for me *expect* for the Plausible Plot. Anything that ends up being about some secretive group of puppet masters supposedly running the world for years and managing to amass ridiculous power & wealth and I get a wee bit bored. Plausibility lost. However, the characters and action kind of make up for that weakness and I really really did love the ending.(less)
And...I'm bored COMPLETELY with the egocentric "I'm smarter than all of you" serial killers now. Alex Cross seems to attract th...more#48
And...I'm bored COMPLETELY with the egocentric "I'm smarter than all of you" serial killers now. Alex Cross seems to attract them like moths to a flame & it is getting tiresome. Perhaps that is the downside of reading books in a series back to back to back like this. Characters get too predictable after a bit. Time for a break to make these seem fresh & interesting again. Or, hopefully, Patterson finds a different path to follow with Cross. I'm also tiring of his family/love interest always being put in harms way. And that his love interests either die or leave him. (less)
I REALLY enjoyed this author! A very compelling story with intrigue from the start about a middle aged attorney on the cusp of receiving a Presidentia...moreI REALLY enjoyed this author! A very compelling story with intrigue from the start about a middle aged attorney on the cusp of receiving a Presidential nomination to a judgeship who is then thrust back unwittingly to her hometown and long estranged family. The writing is sharp, focused, not overly descriptive or bogged down with minutiae. The pace is very good flipping back to the past at just the right times to fill in pockets of history necessary to the murder mystery unfolding in the present. While I had correctly guessed rather early who the murderer is, I was pleasantly surprised at the twists and reveals that lead there. Very well done!(less)
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