Tag Archives: James Patterson
New Book Smell – July, 2012
For Any Book Worm
The Investigation: A Novel – Philippe Claudel (July 10)
The Investigator – a normal man as ordinary as any other – arrives in Town. He has been assigned to look into a string of suicides that have occurred at the Enterprise. But his train is delayed, the weather gets worse, and the Investigator is becoming impatient. As he grows more tired, cold, and confused, he can’t help shake the feeling that he is being watched. This story plays with the more surreal points of human existence in a way that would make Kafka proud.
For the Big Kids
Purple Daze – Sherry Shahan (July 31)
Introducing a verse novel, one that explores what it means to be a high school student living in suburban LA in 1965. In an age where our young minds are trying to find voice, here they will find echoes of the same. Not only does Purple Daze explore the universal themes of teen life, love, sex, and friendship, but it touches on race, riot, and war too—highly relevant to today’s ever-shifting and turbulent culture.
For Magicians and Astronauts
Batman: Earth One – Geoff Johns, Gary Frank (July 10)
A reimagined beginning for the Dark Knight, Earth One explores the boy before the bat. Young Bruce’s thirst for vengeance transforms him into something fierce, and no one can stop him. The timing for this graphic novel is perfect, especially for when you’re waiting in line for The Dark Knight Rises, coming out on July 20th.
For Romantics
The Great Escape – Susan Elizabeth Phillips (July 10)
Lucy, daughter of a former president, has been nothing if not perfect about upholding the family’s image…until now. Escaping from her own wedding on the back of a beat-up motorcycle with an obscene man is the one thing she could do to upset that. Lucy finds herself physically and mentally in unknown territory as she tries to figure out her own life as well as her new love’s. Can she learn to distance herself from her upbringing? And how does one get to know a man who reveals nothing about himself and only paints an ugly picture on the surface?
For Thrill-Seekers
I, Michael Bennett – James Patterson, Michael Ledwidge (July 9)
After detective Michael Bennett sends a Mexican crime lord to jail, he decides it’s time for a relaxing escape to an old family cabin. But the town he remembers and the town in which he arrives now are far from similar, and what’s worse: steel bars aren’t holding back his recent prisoner’s wrath back in NYC. Can Michael keep his family safe in one town while fighting to protect New York from an uprising?
New Book Smell – February, 2012
Welcome to the first installment of New Book Smell! Here you’ll find some upcoming books that have been hand-picked for your literary pleasure. While only a handful have made it onto this month’s list, this will be an expanding project that will keep your fingers itching to turn crisp new pages all year long!
For Any Book Worm
No One is Here Except All of Us – Ramona Ausubel (Feb. 2, 2012)
In 1939, Jewish community in Romania feels the darkness of war surrounding them. Through the suggestion of one of its children and a stranger, the village decides to turn towards their imaginations and reinvent their lives. Jobs, families, and lovers are swapped to create a new world, one that escapes the horrors of reality. But when the young girl grows up, can she find the strength to return from their make-believe land to save her family?
Lone Wolf – Jodi Picoult (Feb. 28, 2012)
International Best-Seller author Jodi Picoult (My Sister’s Keeper) once again weaves a story wrought with some of the most difficult situations that life can bring–and there is no easy way out. After a horrible accident leaves his sister, Cara, injured and his father brain-dead, estranged son Edward Warren returns home after his self-prescribed exile to Thailand. Edward decides that it is time to cut off life support and donate his father’s organs, but are his decisions those of a dutiful son or of a vengeful man who cannot forgive his father?
For the Big Kids
Various Positions – Martha Schabas (Feb. 14, 2012)
The only time Georgia finds herself relieved of all the drama and hormones that come with being fourteen years old is when she dances. And when she’s accepted into a premier dance school, she revels in the idea of being the star pupil. But Georgia finds herself sprinting headlong into very adult situations. Is her teacher more than just a mentor? Is it right to hope so? And is it okay to sacrifice her morals and health to find out?
For Dark and Stormy Nights
The Wolf Gift – Anne Rice (Feb. 14, 2012)
Book shelves have been absolutely saturated with vampire blood and werewolf fur for the past few years, but Anne Rice has decided it’s time to have a go herself. And just in time for Valentine’s Day! But Rice hasn’t completely returned to grim-and-gore after her latest dabbling in angelic spiritualism; while her take on the werewolf legend leaves her protagonist hunted by society and haunted by his own fears, he finds himself initiated into a world of what seems to be an ancient race of guardian creatures. Can the “Man Wolf” accept his new transformation as a gift more than a curse?
For Magicians and Warriors
The Scar – Sergey and Marina Dyachenko (Feb. 28, 2012)
The first translation of a 1997 Russian novel, The Scar is a long-awaited arrival for English readers worldwide. It follows the downfall of Egert Soll, a member of the elite guard with an ego to boot. After killing an innocent student in a duel, he is approached by The Wanderer who leaves him scarred and cursed with cowardice. Egert can’t escape this crippling change in his personality–even too frightened of the thought of suicide–and yet he finds himself forced into the company of the murdered student’s own fiancée. This is a story that works beyond the world of fantasy and will therefore be a good story for even those who tend to avoid the genre.
For a Good Laugh
The Ten, Make That Nine, Habits of Very Organized People. Make That Ten.: The Tweets of Steve Martin – Steve Martin (Feb. 20, 2012)
That loveable comedian who has always made us laugh over the years has broken through the social networking scene. Steve Martin now has 1.4 million+ followers on Twitter, and now anyone can enjoy the hilarious wit he has concentrated into 140 characters. This collection is a great collector’s item for all fans, on- or offline!
For Sherlocks
Private Games - James Patterson (Feb. 13, 2012)
London, England. Summer, 2012. The Olympics are about to begin and the world’s most renowned investigation firm, Private, are called in to provide top-notch security during the games. But soon before the opening ceremonies, a man is murdered and the killer promises to restore the games back to their ancient glory. Though in peak physical, mental, and technological condition, can Private’s agents stand up to this criminal genius before it’s too late?
Nothing from NBS is guaranteed to become best-sellers, but they have been carefully chosen because they represent something new and exciting for their author and/or genre. If you would like to suggest new releases for next month, please send them to emilynorthey@unwoundmag.com.
