Seize the Night: You Won’t Want to Put it Down

Seize the Night by Dean Koontz

PLOT

In a small California town children have begun to disappear in the night. Christopher Snow begins to investigate the disappearances when the son of his childhood sweetheart goes missing. Christopher has a rare genetic disorder which makes him sensitive to light so he is in his element in the darkness. He heads to a nearby military base, Fort Wyvern, which he believes is the cause of not only the disappearances, but of other strange events that have begun to occur around town. Christopher is familiar with Fort Wyvern and aware it houses deep secrets due to the research conducted there. As he sets out to find the children he discovers that saving them is not enough; he has to save the town as well.

SCOOP

This was the first ever Dean Koontz book I read and I have been hooked on him ever since. Seize the Night is a major page turner; I could barely put the book down. The plot is so unique and takes twists I never saw coming. I would not recommend reading it late at night for two reasons: First it’s scary. Not in that classic horror movie way but in that the minute you close your eyes you will start to wonder… and then your imagination will take over. Second, you won’t want to put it down and go to sleep, which can be a problem for some. Just make sure that when you start reading it you carve out plenty of time because you won’t want to put it down.

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Nineteen Minutes: Keep the Kleenex Handy

Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult

PLOT

Nineteen Minutes is all it took to turn the small New Hampshire town of Sterling upside down. When one of the local high school students, Peter, walks into the school and opens fire, the whole town is forced to take a closer look at themselves as they all search to answer the most important question…Why? Josie, the main character, witnessed the tragedy but cannot remember what happened. Her mother Alex, a local judge, tries to balance her personal and professional life, while trying to understand the world her daughter lives in. Peter’s parents try to understand how their son could have done this. The story is full of complex characters and issues where nothing is black and white but everything is in a shade of gray.

SCOOP

I encourage everyone to read this book because it does bring up real life issues we should all think about. Reading this book made me feel sad and angry. I felt sad for the victims of the shooting, the main character, the parents and even the shooter himself. And I was angry at all of them, too. One thing I have found with Jodi Picoult is that she has a way of capturing the essence of real life. Unfortunately life is all to often unfair and ugly and it will leave you feeling sad and angry. This is not a light read and unless you are a robot, the story will have you wrestling with your emotions, but it is a good book regardless.

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I Love You, Ronnie: An American Love Story

I Love You, Ronnie; The Letters of Ronald Reagan to Nancy Reagan by Nancy Reagan

There is no plot in this love story. This book is a compilation of letters former president Ronald Reagan wrote to his wife Nancy Reagan. Alongside the letters, Nancy chronicles their life together. The book contains pictures of the couple through the years and many of his letters and notes are reprinted in their original format.

Whether or not you agree with his politics, I recommend you read this book for two reasons. First, it is truly a beautiful love story. The love Mr. Reagan felt for his wife is so obvious in his letters. Second, this book will give you an insight into the softer, sillier side of a man who often seemed so straight-laced. This book will make you smile and make you feel warm inside. I read this book several years ago and as I pick it up today and read some of the letters, that huge grin is back and so is that warm feeling.

If you’ve ever wanted to read what true love is like, this is better than any fictional love story that could ever be written.

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The Birth of Venus: A Sexy Book

The Birth of Venus by Sarah Dunant

THE PLOT:

The story takes place in Florence, Italy during the Renaissance and the reign of the Medici family. Alessandra, the only daughter of a wealthy family, is every bit a child of the Renaissance who finds her life disrupted when her father employs a struggling artist to paint the chapel ceiling in their home. Alessandra is instantly drawn to this young man, but her family is determined to keep them apart. Alessandra is horrified when she learns she is going to be married to a man who is much older. As Alessandra is forced to leave her painter and her family, the city around her is in turmoil. A fundamentalist monk is working to gain control of the city and suppress the Renaissance movement. As the situation in the city continues to grow worse, Alessandra discovers that her marriage was built upon a secret, and she finds her thoughts continually returning to the painter. Just as the chaos around the city erupts, so does her personal life.

THE SCOOP:

This book is amazing to read. I will admit that I am a bit of an Italian Renaissance junkie so stories set in that time period already have a point in their favor. But there is more to this story than just the time period it was set in. The sexual tension between Alessandra and her painter is intense. I found myself reading as fast as I could just to try to find out whether or not they ever got to be together because I could almost feel their longing myself. The book is beautifully written and the descriptions will have your imagination running rampant with vivid images. This is a must read for everyone. I told one of my friends to read it and she dubbed it a “sexy book.” And what a sexy book it is!!!

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The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon

PLOT:

Christopher is a 15 year old autistic boy who gives us a narrative of his adventures when he discovers something curious. The story begins with Christopher finding his neighbor’s dog dead. She comes upon Christopher and her dearly departed dog and, thinking he killed the dog, has him arrested. Christopher decides to uncover the truth about what really happened to the dog. As Christopher searches to learn the truth, he discovers what really happened to his mother. Through his journey, we get to view the world through Christopher’s eyes, a world where logic, the cornerstone of Christopher’s world, is often swept under the rug.

THE SCOOP:

I loved this book and recommend it to everyone. The story is deliciously funny and Christopher is truly a character you can understand and relate to. What makes this story stand out, is the author’s brilliant way of writing from the viewpoint of an autistic boy. I felt as though I had a new appreciation for how a person with autism sees the world, and how hard it can be for them to relate to the way the rest of us act. One of the most fascinating part of his tale is when Christopher describes how he “feels” emotion. I am still amazed by the insight this author has. This book also made me realize how complicated (unnecessarily so) we can make things.

This book is funny and insightful all at the same time. It’s one of those books I just couldn’t put down and hated to see end. As an added incentive (as if you should need one) this book is listed in 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die. Grab a copy of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time and settle in for some fun.

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