Sail by James Patterson

In Sail, byJames Patterson, Katherine Dunne takes her three children on a boating trip as a desperate attempt to bring peace to her family. After her husband passed away, the family dynamic took a turn for the worst. The children were hit the hardest and are having a difficult time coping with the death of their father. Katherine is having an even harder time trying to make her children happy. Her daughter is threatening to commit suicide, her eldest son is experimenting with drugs, and her 10-year old boy is deeply depressed. The trip is destined to be horrible. But the Dunne family couldn't begin to imagine just how horrifying their vacation could be. In an unlikely turn of events Katherine and her children are forced into a dangerous path that both threatens their lives and brings them closer together after all.

 "With whiplash plot twists, speedboat pacing, and an eye for the evil that can lie behind even the most gorgeous setting, James Patterson delivers Sail–the wettest, most explosive ocean adventure since Jaws."

This is the first book I have read by James Patterson but I can already see that he ". . . knows how to sell thrills and suspense in clear, unwavering prose." His writing style appears effortless and paves the road for smooth reading. Patterson makes it impossible to put this book down. The chapters are very short so it feels as though you are flying through the book. Speed readers could finish this book in a night. It is a great book to take to the cottage or on vacation. Just make sure you bring more than one book with you because this one won't last long. I give this book a Thumbs Up!

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The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins is set in a time where a prosperous North America has vanished and left behind a poor and cruel nation known as Panem. Panem is separated by 12 districts surrounding the wealthy and powerful Capitol. Once a year the Capitol forces each district to sacrifice one boy and one girl between the ages of 12 and 18 to fight to the death. The entire grotesque event is broadcasted on live television as a spectator's sports. When Katniss Everdeen is sent to participate in the Hunger Games she is fearful for her family's survival without her. At first she thinks her life is over but she courageously decides to take her fate into her own hands and challenge the Gamemakers.

The main character is 16 year old Katniss. She appears to be cold and harsh. For example, she tried to drown a sick kitten because she saw it as just another mouth to feed. But then we immediately see that she has a tender side because she lets her sister, Primrose, keep the cat after all. Katniss is not cold-hearted. She cares so deeply for her mother and sister that she selflessly puts herself in danger to feed and protect them. I think Katniss' compassion, bravery, and self-sacrifice is what makes the character and book so loveable. These characteristics work perfectly with the plot to make an engaging and dynamic novel.

The Hunger Games is a teen novel but is also enjoyable for adults. It reads like a science fiction novel; reminiscent of classics like Lord of the Flies and The Chrysalids. It was an excellent read and I recommend it to anyone thinking about picking it up. I give this book a Thumbs Up!

People who like the The Hunger Games may also like the new Divergent trilogy by Veronica Roth. Click Here for more details.

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Unbearable Lightness Portia de Rossi

In Unbearable Lightness Portia de Rossi chronicles her struggles along her way to stardom. Born and raised in Australia as Amanda Rogers, she started her career as a child model. This is where her obsession with weight begins. Portia believes, from a young age, that the only way she can be famous is to be as thin as possible and therefore beautiful. She moves to America to become an actress and shortly after her dieting reaches a new extreme. Over the years she suffers from anorexia, bulimia, food binging, excessive exercise and the fatal effects they have on her body and health. Portia faces her body image challenges alone as she is far away from family and unable to be in a relationship. She is terrified that the media would discover she is gay and it would ruin her career and her hard work.

Unbearable Lightness reminds us that celebrities and actors, at the end of the day, are just like us (aside from the mansions, cool parties, and millions of dollars).  Portia shows us that acting is hard work. Maintaining a celebrity status in the media is no easy task and there is a lot of pressure especially about body image and weight. While body image is a main theme, she also reveals her struggles with health, divorce, family relationships and being gay. Unbearable Lightness is really about the insurmountable challenges of becoming a perfect celebrity with a perfect body and the fatal consequences it can have.

The narrative transitions nearly flawlessly between her childhood in Australia and her new found celebrity in the hit show Ally McBeal. Portia de Rossi is a first time writer and it is obvious in her writing style. There are many repetitive words and thoughts and even mistakes in editing such as a missing word and a duplicate sentence.  However, these issues are forgivable because the story is so enticing and interesting. I found Portia's story to be both fascinating and inspirational. It was difficult to put this book down. I give this book a Thumbs Up.

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Brida by Paulo Coelho

"But how will I know who my Soulmate is?"

"By taking risks," Wicca said to Brida. "By risking failure, disappointment, disillusion, but never ceasing in your search for Love. As long as you keep looking you will triumph in the end."

Brida by Paulo Coelho is a novel of a young girl's search for knowledge and love. Her journey leads her on a deep spiritual path and introduces her to fascinating people full of wisdom and whimsy. She learns about an entirely new world, new experiences, and new perspectives. Along her search Brida begins to fulfill her destiny of becoming a witch.

Paulo Coelho is the New York Times bestselling author of The Alchemist. Brida "incorporates themes that fans of Paulo Coelho will recognize and treasure - it is a tale of love, passion, mystery, and spirituality from the master storyteller".

I have never before read a book by Coelho and his books are not the genre I would typically read. But somehow this book intrigued me and I had to give it a chance. Unfortunately, you are taking a risk with every book you pick up. Will it be the most inspiring novel you've ever read? Or a horribly amateurish story that leaves you feeling as if you've wasted your time?  The appreciation of a book (or lack of) depends on the reader's personality, perspectives, interests, and background. I did not connect with this book on a level that you might expect when you hear words like "love", "wisdom", and "spirituality". I did not relate to the characters, themes, or even the plot. While it was nicely written, I have to give this book a Thumbs Down as it wasn't something I personally enjoyed.

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