Hold Tight

The latest from Harlan Coben brings back Loren Muse from The Woods, but in a very minor role. This was not one of his best efforts. There was just too much going on and it took a while to like the main characters. There are lots of intertwining storylines: a teacher who has verbally abused a student, parents who are using spyware to keep tabs on their teenage son, another teenager who has committed suicide, a neighbor whose son has leukemia, and a crazy guy who is killing women -- believe it or not they are all tied together at the end. All in all it seemed a bit farfetched that this much could be going on in their small town.

Sundays at Tiffany's

James Patterson is at it again with his 'gentle read' romance. This time the main character, Jane, can't forget her childhood imaginary friend, Michael. Jane works for her overbearing mother Vivienne who is a Broadway producer. Jane has written a play about her childhood relationship with her imaginary friend Michael and her current, oh so handsome, but sleezy boyfriend has played the lead. Jane still pines for Michael and then, lo and behold, she spots him in one of their past haunts. Of course they fall in love and are uncertain how this can possibly work -- is Michael real? angelic? hmmm... All's well that ends well. A super quick, nice predictable read. It made me think of my imaginary friends from childhood -- Jerry, May and Alice.

Read April 27, 2008

Lottery

Lottery was written by first time author Patrica Wood. It is the story of Perry who is quick to tell us he is a 76 NOT a 75 so he is not retarded -- just slow. He lives with his grandmother who has taught him many life lessons rather remniscent of "My mama always said. . ." Perry is a very interesting guy who is very wise for a mentally challenged kind of guy. Patricia Wood has created very likeable, real characters as his friends -- Keith, a vietnam veteran with a lot of flaws, but a loyal friend, and Cherry -- Perry's would be girlfriend and others who work at the boating store with Perry. When Perry wins the lottery after his grandmother dies, the vultures aka his cousin-brothers start to swarm to try to coerce him into giving them his "power" so they can lay their hands on the money. Perry has learned enough from life and his grandmother to know they can't be trusted and Perry does just fine by himself with his friends. All in all, a heartwarming story.

Read on April 17, 2008.