Tuesday, November 27, 2007

books, books, books, and a movie




I haven't done a book post for awhile - and I've read some good ones. "When Crickets Cry" by Charles Martin was really good. It was a bittersweet story about a man's struggle to survive after his wife's death - and a young girl's friendship giving him a chance for redemption. His story is told in flashbacks which I found very effective.






"The New Year's Quilt" by Jennifer Chiaverini is the latest installment in the Elm Creek Quilters series. It fleshes out a lot of stories that we've read in previous books about Sylvia Compson - and does it very nicely.










For a long time I avoided John Grisham books - I felt that after his first 2 or 3, he was writing for the movies. But his later books have redeemed him in my opinion. This one is not a lawyer book - it's about an NFL player who doesn't survive the NFL - and finds himself in Parma, Italy playing in the "Pizza League." I decided to read "Playing for Pizza" because the first time I went to Europe, I accompanied Mark on a business trip to Parma. We enjoyed our visit there - and I enjoyed reading this accounting of some of the sights I saw when we were in Italy. A light read, but entertaining.




This year, ABC has a Friday night show called "The Women's Murder Club" - that is based on James Patterson's mystery series. I watched the first TV show and liked the characters and started reading the series. I'm on the waiting list at the library for the 7th one now. The main characters are very fun and Patterson tells a great story.









I liked his writing so much that I also started his Alex Cross series - "Along Came a Spider" is the first in the series. I just finished it and enjoyed Alex Cross and the story a lot. I'm totally into mysteries right now, and I'm enjoying Patterson's stories.









Another writer that I just started reading is David Baldacci. I had read several reviews on blogs praising his books, so when I found "Saving Faith" on a garage sale this summer, I picked it up.











That book was so good, I requested "Absolute Power" at the library. I'm about halfway through it right now. Baldacci is excellent!










Another favorite writer that I don't think I've blogged about is Vince Flynn. He lives in the Twin Cities and his books are also excellent. His protagonist is an undercover CIA agent.






Over the weekend, we watched "Hairspray." Too funny. Seeing John Travolta and Christopher Walken in drag is worth the price of admission!



11 comments:

Anonymous said...

I love James Patterson's books, have read oodles ~ you're definitely onto a good thing there! Gx

Anonymous said...

You are your Father's Daughter, he too loves anything by Patterson. He's really into John Sanford also---I like Patterson, but the Sanford I read was not really my cup of tea.......Now John Grisham, Sidney Sheldon are both at the top of my list. After two or three of these mystery types I'm back to Nora Roberts or Mary Higgins Clark.......What would we do if we couldn't read???

Anonymous said...

Let's see...I read WHEN CRICKETS CRY a short time ago and LOVED it! I'm planning to read all of his other books. I have THE NEW YEAR'S QUILT sitting right here next to me. I plan to read it between Christmas and New Year. I just finished THE CHRISTMAS QUILT. Read PLAYING FOR PIZZA a couple of weeks ago and really liked it. I agree that John Grisham's books have been sub-par. His first book (A TIME TO KILL I think) was his best. He has a new book, THE APPEAL, coming out soon. I've read all of the Women's Murder Club books. The last one wasn't that great. I'm wondering how much Patterson is writing and how much his co-author is writing. I've never read the Alex Cross series. I might have to try those. I love David Baldacci - I've read everything he's written. I'm waiting for his new one - I think it's out now. I've never read Vince Flynn - never heard of him. I'll have to look for his books.

We seem to have the same reading tastes!

Susie said...

Thanks for the book recommendations Kris!
We saw Hairspray at the theater and absolutely loved it!
xo

Anonymous said...

Hey Kris, you should try this site for book reviews

kate smudges said...

It sounds as if James Patterson is a good mystery writer. I'd like to try out the Elm Creek Quilters series. I think I'd enjoy 'When Crickets Cry' as well.

Thanks for the book recommendations!

I was glad to hear that you have some practice stenciling boards. Good going!

Cindy Garber Iverson said...

Isn't Hairspray the BEST?!?! I went and saw it twice in the theatre and now we own the special edition DVD! John Travolta was the funniest by far! Cindy at Rosehaven Cottage

Diana LaMarre said...

I am going online right now to request "The New Year's Quilt". It would be the perfect read for the month of December.

I just started to read "A Catered Murder" by Isis Crawford. I am still trying to find a good culinary mystery. Mostly I like them because of the references to catering (since that's pretty much my job field).

Will you be getting this big storm that is supposed to hit us tonight?

kris said...

Hi Zoey - yup!! It started here about 9am - and it is really coming down. The snow is like sugar, so at least not very slippery yet - but the wind is really blowing it around, They were predicting 5-9 inches the last I checked. It's pretty!!

violetlady said...

Hi, Kris, I am just now catching up on my blogging after being away for Thanksgiving. I would like to read Playing for Pizza -- haven't been to Parma, but have been to other places in Italy. I wanted to see Hairspray and now I have missed it. I guess I will have to wait until it comes out in DVD.

Iowa Gardening Woman said...

Your squash looks yummy, yummy!

I want to see Hairspray also, John Travolta is one of my favorites. I have been on a Jeffrey Deaver kick lately, I just finished two of his older books, next on my list is Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen, time for a "chick" book now :).