Sadie Bell Blogs About Books

The Blue Zone Andrew Gross

2008-05-14T15:56:00.000-07:00

Sadie Bell Says: Wow! Adding Andrew Gross to the short list of authors whose books I will purchase as soon as they come out without hesitation. This book is excellent. With so many twists and turns - it's like a roller coaster ride - and half of them the reader never sees coming!

Having read both this book and The Dark Tide - both excellent - I think what I like best about these "can't put down" books is that the premise of both books are not the usual "mystery/thriller" type of story.

The Whole Truth David Baldacci

2008-05-04T05:16:00.000-07:00

Sadie Bell says: "Loved this book, read it in about 2 days - could not put it down. Baldacci ties everything together nicely in a plot that is believable, not too complicated - and thought provoking. Very, very thought provoking. Characters are interesting too - even the good guys have their flaws. All in all, highly recommended."

New Books to Read

2008-05-01T10:26:00.000-07:00

Just arrived...Stripped by Brian Freeman and Charley's Web by Joy Fielding.

Currently reading The Whole Truth by David Baldacci...off to a good start, holding my interest.

Hold Tight Harlan Coben

2008-04-21T06:51:00.000-07:00

Sadie Bell Says: Wow! Read this one in one day! Coben has outdone himself - this is a mystery thriller, but there are so many different levels! The mystery itself will keep you turning the page, but this is also a story about the lengths parents go to to protect their children - and the moral dilemmas they face.

There are many characters, but it's easy to keep track of them, and its amazing how Coben connects the dots.

Excellent!

The Dark Tide Andrew Gross

2008-04-20T05:49:00.000-07:00

Sadie Bell says: Having just finished Gross's second book, The Dark Tide, I will quickly be purchasing his first book, The Blue Zone.

As I have said in an earlier post, I am not usually a fan of books that James Patterson co-authors with others. But Gross always has been the exception - he co-authored Judge & Jury (which I loved), The Lifeguard, The Jester, and others. So I gave this solo effort a try, and was not disappointed.

The premise itself is interesting: Explosion at Grand Central station, Karen's husband of 18 years is among one of the victims. Karen comes to terms with her loss, but it doesn't stop there...millions of dollars are missing from some very unsavory people, and the trail leads to her husband.

The book is fast paced, full of twists and turns - and the two main characters (Karen and Hauck, a detective who helps her (with baggage of his own) are both likeable and realistic. Gross does not get sidetracked, either.

All in all, an excellent book - can't wait to get The Blue Zone

Where Are You Now Mary Higgins Clark

2008-04-13T15:26:00.000-07:00

I sometimes like Clark's books, other times I find them a little too predictable. This one was good, and not that predictable at all. Story keeps moving - Clark sticks to the plot and doesn't veer off course, which is one of the things I like about her.

Book revolves around a young man who has been missing for years, yet contacts his family every Mother's Day - a very brief phone call. From there it takes off!

Worth the read.

More New Arrivals

2008-04-12T09:43:00.001-07:00

Just received

Where Are You Now: Mary Higgins Clark

Dark Tide: Andrew Gross

I am starting with Clark's book - simply because it's the one I picked up first, and her books are pretty quick reads. However, I am very interested in Dark Tide as I have not read anything by Andrew Gross before (other than his collaborations with James Patterson).

I normally don't care for the books Patterson writes with other authors - but I have likes the ones he co-wrote with Gross.

Body Surfing: Anita Shreve

2008-04-10T15:07:00.000-07:00

The first book I read by Anita Shreve was The Pilot's Wife and it grabbed me immediately. This one....I felt it started a little slow, but about 1/3 of the way in, I found I could not put it down.

One thing about Shreve - her characters are well-developed, rich and compelling. I found myself caring about each and every one of them!

This book is for sale at Sadie Bell's Books
http://www.blujay.com/item/Body-Surfing-Anita-Shreve-author-The-Pilots-Wife-A-Wedding-in-December-3001000-2152299

Stalked Brian Freeman

2008-04-06T07:10:00.000-07:00

Sadie Bell says: Its always a treat to discover a new author, and I have discovered Brian Freeman. Stalked is an excellent book, well-written, compelling characters, and all the twists and turns needed to make it a book I was unable to put down. I have added Freeman to my list of authors whose books I will buy without hesitation

This book is for sale in our BluJay Store:

Heartstopper by Joy Fielding

2008-03-31T19:13:00.000-07:00

Sadie Bell says: Another good one by Joy Fielding, whose work I have enjoyed for some time. Not only is this a good mystery that will have you guessing, and guessing again - but the characters are well written and "real".

A Prisoner of Birth Jeffrey Archer

2008-03-27T15:33:00.000-07:00

Sadie Bell Says: Reminiscent of The Count of Monte Crisco - this is a very good book, lenghty, and sometimes Archer gets too caught up in miniscule details - but, overall the story held my interest. Lots of English colloquialims, which were somewhat difficult for an American reader to understand and that slowed down the reading. Would still highly recommend it.

The Killer's Wife: Bill Floyd

2008-03-18T16:25:00.000-07:00

Sadie Bell says: Excellent debut novel. Bill Floyd is a welcome addition to the mystery/thriller genre. Aside from the story (which kept me riveted) - I liked the fact that this is not your typical run of the mill mystery/thriller! Read it in one day!

New Arrivals for the Bookshelf

2008-03-17T16:02:00.000-07:00

Today I received

Stalked: Brian Freeman
Body Surfing: Anita Shreve
The Killers Wife: Bill Floyd
Heartstopper: Joy Fielding

I usually like Fielding's work, and I loved The Pilot's Wife by Shreve. Have never read anything by the others.

Interesting reading days ahead..

The Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns

2008-03-16T14:54:00.000-07:00

The Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns
Khaled Hosseini

Sadie Bell says: Although I could put neither book down, I liked The Kite Runner a little better than A Thousand Splendid Suns. I don't know why, I just did.

Both books are excellent - and it is very difficult to believe that The Kite Runner is Hosseini's first novel. Wonderfully written, moving story of the friendship between two Afghan boy and how the choices we make follow us through life.

A Thousand Splendid Suns - the story of a bond that develops between two women married to the same man - again, a strongly written, beautifully woven, moving tale.

One of the things I especially liked about both books was that the reader is given an insight to Afghan history, culture and society - and my heart ached for that country that has given so much and lost so much.

Night Fall: Nelson DeMille

2008-03-16T06:02:00.001-07:00

Sadie Bell says: This is one of the best books I have ever read. Based on the downing of TWA 800 - for those that don't remember - this was the flight to Paris that went down off the coast of Long Island. There were, and are to this day, all kinds of theories about this, although the official finding was mechanical.

DeMille's book centers around a man and a woman,married, but not to each other who are making love on the beach that night. They are also videotaping it for later viewing. But the videotape catches the final moments of Flight 800 as well. The couple has never come forward.

Now,5 years later, a detective (John Corey, who is also featured in other DeMille books) and his FBI wife want to reopen the investigation, and focus on finding the tape.

This book, especially the ending, is riveting

This book is for sale!
Night Fall by Nelson DeMille

Standing Still: Kelly Simmons

2008-03-16T04:38:00.001-07:00

Sadie Bell says: Very different and interesting. Wasn't sure at first if this book was going to hold my interest, but it did - in fact, I read the whole book on a rainy Saturday!

Nineteen Minutes: Jodi Picoult

2008-03-14T17:59:00.000-07:00

Sadie Bell says: Huge fan of hers, and this book did not disappoint at all. Certainly topical (a school shooting) – but what Piccoult excels at (in my mind) is her well thought out and compelling characters. So far I have read Plain Truth and The Tenth Circle – both of which I liked (although The 10th Circle was somewhat different – one of the things I like about it.) – but not as much as this one. Anxiously awating (already on order) Change of Heart, her latest. The author clearly puts a lot of time and effort into her books, evidenced by the fact that she doesn’t offer one every 6 months or so like some other writers, and it shows!

The First Patient: Michael Palmer

2008-03-14T17:57:00.000-07:00

Sadie Bell says: Small town, country doctor discovers a conspiracy to kill his old friend, the President of the United States. And the two, President and doctor, share a secret in their past. Very readable, a little far fetched. Nicely written, well thought out characters. I have not read many of Palmer’s books, as medical mystery/thrillers are typically not my genre, but this one was good.

The Secret Between Us: Barbara Delinsky

2008-03-14T15:10:00.000-07:00

Sadie Bell Says: The Secret Between Us – Barbara Delinksy
Good premise and plot – (mother takes the rap when her daughter, driving Mom’s car, hits and kills a jogger.). Parts of it were, to me at least, a little hard to believe, and other parts, too predictable. But overall, a good read – might be nice for a summer book, weekend book. This was my first Delinksy book, and I am going to try some of her others.

Sorry,this book has sold.

Ethel Kennedy: The Other Mrs. Kennedy – Jerry Oppenheimer

2008-03-14T14:52:00.000-07:00

Sadie Bell says: Those of us old enough to remember the dominance the Kennedy family had on the American political and social scene will enjoy this comprehensive biography about the Mrs. Kennedy who, although famous in her own right, took a back seat to Jackie. Very interesting read.

This book is for sale!
The Other Mrs. Kennedy

Whistling in the Dark: Lesley Kagan

2008-03-14T14:51:00.000-07:00

Sadie Bell says: This wonderful read is the author’s first book, and I loved it on so many layers. Strong plot, memorable characters, a mystery but not your “run of the mill” mystery – in fact that takes a back seat to the adventures of Sally and Troo O’Malley and the story of the summer of 1959 on Vliet Street. Go back to a simpler time with this book!

The Appeal: John Grisham

2008-03-14T14:50:00.000-07:00

Sadie Bell says: Nice to see Grisham return to the legal thriller that launched him into the stratosphere of best selling authors. The Appeal did not disappoint me (as many of Grisham’s recent books have).

What Am I Reading Now

2008-03-14T14:44:00.000-07:00

Mortal Fear – Greg Iles
(really enjoyed my first and second Iles book, 3rd Degree and 24 Hours, so I am reading his others).

This morning, however, I read the first few pages of Jeffrey Archer’s new book “Prisoner of Birth” and think I am going to read that one next.

Favorite Books and authors
My favorite book (I have ready it 3 or 4 times) has to be Watchers by Dean Koontz – early Dean Koontz – excellent book on so many different levels. Another book that makes my top 10 is NightFall by Nelson DeMille. Excellent read, that one, with one of the most interesting endings I have come across in a long time.

These are the only two books I have ever, ever read more than one time.

Also like: James Patterson (when he writes alone), David Baldacci, early John Grisham, early Stephen King, Michael Connelly, James Grippando, Jodi Picoult, Joseph Finder, Stuart Woods, Greg Iles, and Nelson DeMille.

I am also a huge Ken Follett fan – and having said that, Pillars of the Earth is also up there on my all time favorite books list – however, for some reason, I have been having a hard time with World Without End. So looked forward to it, and received it at Christmas – started it, but have put is aside as I just can’t seem to get into it.

That happens though. Sometimes it’s my mood at the time I am reading the book. I have started books, put them down as “boring” only to pick them up a few months later and not be able to put them down until I am done!