Reader's Digest Select Editions 2010: The Scarecrow / Rainwater / Where the Shadows Lie / The Art of Racing in the Rain

by Reader's Digest Association, Sandra Brown, Michael Ridpath

Contents:

- The Scarecrow by Michael Connelly

- Rainwater by Sandra Brown

- Where the Shadows Lie by Michael Ridpath

- The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein

575 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2010

About the author

The Reader's Digest Association, Inc. is a global media and direct marketing company based in Chappaqua, New York, best known for its flagship publication founded in 1922, Reader's Digest. The company's headquarters are in New York City, where it moved from Pleasantville, New York.

The company was founded by DeWitt and Lila Wallace in 1922 with the first publication of Reader's Digest magazine, but has grown to include a diverse range of magazines, books, music, DVDs and online content.

Reviews

[Gwen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was not the edition I had for "The Art of Racing in the Rain", but I guess it doesn't matter.
It was a different sort of reading for me, I did enjoy the large print, and I was in between books and appreciated the brevity. The storyline took unexpected turns and held my interest. I recall writing a story myself, from a dog's point of view, back when I was in grade school. It was enjoyable and if you want a break from the run of the mill, give it a try.

[Redfox5 · Rating 4 out of 5]

So having been around Reader's Digest Books my entire life, I've finally started reading one. I've always looked down on them for being condensed versions of the real thing. Why on earth would you want to make a book shorter? Now after reading countless books that could have done with being 100 pages shorter I see why. It's all action, no long boring description of someone making dinner or of what room someone is in. I know some people really go for that sort of stuff and thats why those sorts of books tend to win prizes but I use this thing called my imagination and that fills in any gaps. So onto the Select Editions:

The Scarecrow - Michael Connelly
This is the type of book I would never normally buy. I do like these types of book but not enough you know. Still The Scarecrow was good. The plot moved along well. I liked Jack. How it's written points to that it may be part of a series? I thought the killer was very clever, not clever enough for Jack though. Pretty scary though, how information can be taken just like that. I'd read more Connelly if he came my way.

RainWater - Sandra Brown
I loved this book, my second fave. Such a sad sweet tale that had me in tears at the end.

Where The Shadows Lie - Michael Ridpath
An odd crime story based on The Lord Of The Rings. This was the weakest book out of the whole collection. There were a lot of good idea there and I liked it but something was missing.

The Art Of Racing In The Rain - Garth Stein
This was a special kind of story, it has me laughing out loud on one page and crying my eyes out on the next. There should be more books written from a dog's point of view. This was my fave from the whole collection.

So there you have it, I'm offically over my prejudice with Reader's Digest books. No more will I cast them to one side. I didn't feel like I missed anything whist reading the condensed versions.
You know that Reader's Digest thats just been lying around the house like, forever. Now is the time to read it :)

[Jacquie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed the Art of Racing in the Rain...

[Winter Sophia Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartbreaking, Touching, Action Packed & Funny! I Loved Them All!