John R.'s Thoughts on James Patterson

I chose to read books by James Patterson for my author study reading assignment because I started reading Private by. him last year.  Due to lack of time I never got to finish reading the novel, although I really enjoyed the mystery genre in which he writes and how he develops the plot with every chapter being in a different point of view.  In one chapter you can read of the murderer going about in their daily life, preparing to commit the crime, and then committing the murder in detail from inception to execution, while in the next chapter you can read of the detectives investigating the crime.  I thought this was interesting because I do not believe I have never read a book written in this style where you are aware the events that have unfolded but the protagonist is still struggling to understand what occurred, while the antagonist is trying to keep it all a secret.  I think it is a very interesting plot.

I am interested in discovering how James Patterson got his start as an author and his process for developing characters in his novel.  I am curious to discover if the author models any of his characters such as Jack Morgan off of traits and ideas that he personally possesses or that he wishes he could possess. I would be interested in discovering if James Patterson is also a good at putting the pieces of the puzzle together in his own life and if he is as big of a hot shot ladies man he attempts to portray.

Mahak's Author Study on Cassandra Clare

For my author study, I chose the author Cassandra Clare. I chose this author because I previously read her books and thought they were really well written. Something I would like to know is why she write about the topic that she does. The first book I read by her was really well written as well as being detailed. When reading these books, I can imagine the whole story in my head.

Michael Dinger's Author Study on James Frey

I selected James Frey because I have read a few of his books in the best and I am very familiar with his work. His books are always very interesting and keep your attention. So far I have read five of his books and I am excited for him to publish more. I am very interested to know how he came up with the idea for the series. I would also like to know how long it took him to become successful in the writing field.

When I was in 10^th grade I read his first three books in the  I am number four series then at that point none of the other ones were published yet. This year I have read the fourth and fifth book in the series and I am hooked and can’t wait for him to finish the sixth book. I really wonder how he came up with the idea for all these books because the idea of the book is so original. I also wonder about his life because sometimes writers use there experiences in life to create a story or a book, or the characters are influenced by people they have met in their lives

 

 

Ciara G. Author Study on Ellen Hopskins

I chose Ellen Hopkins for my person for the author study, I have heard a lot about her stories and I was always really interested in wanting to read her books so I finally chose to read one of her books. I honestly love her style of writing because it keeps my attention and it never gets boring and I want to keep reading. On page 97 said “hot flush, raging blush, quick- start ignition. See how much I need you? Ice flash, instant crash, voices outside the door. No! Don’t stop now!” this just caught my attention and I didn’t want to stop reading it leaves you thinking what is next. Also on page 105 “I got up, headed for the door, hoping Adam would try to stop me. But lust is stronger than love. And monster lust is unconquerable.” That sentence made me read more because I wanted to know did he run after her or did he just not care.

I would like to know why Ellen chose to right like the way she does in her books. I feel as though it holds my attention more the way she has it written because it’s not like I’m just reading an average book it pulls you in when you have to read it the way she writes it. I would like to know what made her want to write this book about crank. I am glad I chose her as an author because these books do not bore me.

Svetlana E's Author Study on Paolo Bacigalupi

I chose this author for the author study because he writes about some strange things. One of the strange things in both of my books that I am reading  is a guy named Tool. Tool is part human and part animal; he is a genetically altered human. He has the DNA of several animals. And each book contains kids that are having troubled lives, and somehow one way or another Tool is there. One thing that I find interesting about this author and his writing is that in both of his books he has a character named Tool, and I feel like Tool somehow is a main character even if he doesn’t talk much about him. The two books that I am reading are called The Drowned Cities and Ship Breaker.

The author tends to write about things that actually could happen, but at the same time are fiction. What I mean by that is in the book “Ship Breaker” there is a kid named Nailer; he and his crew break down old ships that are no longer working. Nailer went deep into the ship to find some things but slips and falls. He tries to swim, but it was difficult because he fell in several gallons of oil. He calls out for help, but no one hears him. Later on a crew member finds him, but won’t help him. Later on he manages to get out, and everyone starts to call him Lucky Boy. There are other things that should have ether killed him or close to it, but somehow he keeps on being “Lucky”. And later on in the book you get to see Tool. Tool is described the same way as in the book The Drowned Cities. He is depicted as a beast; he has sharp animal like teeth, a small muzzle, his eyes depict that of an animal, he has long nails, and he growls and snarls like an animal.

Kaitlyn Mensch's author study on John Green

John Green

I was interested in reading this author because I heard a lot about him.  I usually like to be different and not read what everyone else is reading but I thought I would give it a try.  Looking for Alaska is the first book I read by John Green.  I saw The Fault in Our Stars and I wasn’t really that impressed.  People say that I should read the book but after knowing the main theme I don’t think I would enjoy the book. Something I like about Looking for Alaska is that the beginning of the story is intriguing because it explains a lot about the main characters, and the life they have at their school.  About half way through the book it slightly changes and the main characters are trying to solve a mystery. 

I like how this author writes straight forward and easy to understand. I would like to know if all of his books are somehow relevant to his life.  I know so far that Looking for Alaska is relevant to John Green’s life because he attended a boarding school like the main characters in this book. I am curious to know if the rest of his books have a small similarity like this one or maybe something bigger.  I would also like to know if John Green purposely chooses the main characters of his books to be everyday people, most being introverts.  I like how John green does this because it makes the story more relatable.  

Sam Sa.'s thoughts on Nicholas Sparks

I selected Jodi Picoult for my Author Study book because a lot of people have suggested her to me, and plus she wrote My Sister's Keeper which I thought was a fantastic movie, and I thought that I would finally read the book. I'm interested in knowing if why she wrote this book was because she might have known someone who died or maybe her own family member had to go through this, and she wrote this book in honor of her. I like books that I can't put down and that I'm so focused on and she is an author that does that for me.

I like books that are a true story, and books that usually relate to health and this book is both, and Jodi Picoult has a way with her words that made the book interesting from the first paragraph. From this book and my next book, I hope to learn about her life a little. Maybe when I read another book by her I'll see some sort of connection between her books.

Branden W. Author Study on Charles Frazier

               I selected Charles Frazier because I started reading his book Cold Mountain last year. The book got my attention write away when I started reading it. I really liked the time period the story takes place in and the style that Frazier wrote in was very interesting for me to read. I did not finish the book last year once school ended. I found it again this year and I wanted to finish it so I just am re-reading it. I learned that Cold Mountain was Frazier's first book he ever wrote and that got me interested in doing the author study on him. I figured that if his first book is as good as it is, his later books have to be as good or better. That is why I choose him to learn more about him.
             Now that I chose to learn about him, I want to know what kind of other books he writes. Cold Mountain is about the Civil War so I want to learn what other books he wrote and what time periods they take place in. I also want to learn about why he chose to write about the civil war and if he prefers writing about history; rather than modern day books. One thing that led to my curiosity about learning more was his cool writing style and how he talks about specific little details that many other authors ignore in their writing. Frazier is also very good at creating imagery such as this example, "At the first gesture of morning, flies began stirring. Inman's eyes and the long wound at his neck drew them, and the sounds of their wings and the touch of their feet were soon more potent than a yardful of roosters in rousing a man to wake." That is the first sentence of the book cold mountain and that imagery got me more interest and hooked me to keep reading that is why I want to learn more about Frazier's and the books he wrote.

Tarah L's author study on Mitch Albom

Mitch Albom captured my attention in an unconventional manner. I’ve had the book Tuesday’s With Morrie on the bookshelf at home for years. I attempted to read the story in early middle school but didn’t quit understand what was going on. It wasn’t until years later, after having to read 5 People You Meet in Heaven in an English class, that I decided to give the book a second try. After reading 5 People You Meet in Heaven and beginning Tuesday’s with Morrie I was deeply intrigued by not only the way Mitch Albom writes, but the development of his characters and the importance of what they have to say.

            Mitch Albom writes about the changes and developments his characters go throughout and the importance of things that they usually don’t realize without the help of others. In 5 People You Meet in Heaven the main character Eddie doesn’t realize the significance of many people and places in his life until it is over. In “Tuesdays with Morrie” the main character Mitch doesn’t acknowledge the importance of life and life’s lessons until after his meetings with Morrie. Both of these books make me wonder if Mitch himself went through a life altering time that made him want to begin writing. Although I have yet to finish Tuesdays with Morrie the book has already risen questions of life, life’s true meaning, and whether or not it’s even important to know the answer to any those questions. Mitch Albom has a brilliant way of making his readers feel both happiness and sorrow from his books, and an even more brilliant way of teaching us to except and appreciate both.

Samantha Sh. Author Study on Jodi Picoult

                This author is recommended by many people, so I figured I would see what her books are like.  I gave it a try and currently am almost finished with one of her books called Mercy.  This book really keeps you interested by telling the reader what each person is thinking and having a couple different issues happening at the same time.  There is really never a dull moment because once something dies down the author switches to another issue happening and then will eventually go back.  I am really enjoying this book so far and I am looking forward to reading more from her.

 I am interested in knowing why she wrote her book the way she did, with switching back and forth to different issues.  The book has so many ideas going on that I wonder how she came up with them.  Do they relate to something that happened in her life?  Did she just think up all of it on her own?  Did this happen to someone she knows?  I really want to know how she thought of the story line, because the story line really does make you think.  So many questions on how she came up with such an interesting book.

Anouk O Author Study on Cassandra Clare

The reason I chose Cassandra Clare for my author study is because I was already reading the Mortal Instruments series. I started reading the series after I saw the movie the Mortal Instruments. I really liked the storyline, because it is not a typical storyline. It is about shadow hunters that are trying to kill all the demons in the world. The only thing is that humans can’t seem them. You can only see them when you are a shadow hunter yourself. There is a lot of action in the book, and that is what keeps me interested in the storyline. A lot of different things happen, and there is never a boring moment in the storyline. Also, I really liked Clare’s writing, because she describes her characters in detail. You know a lot about how the characters look, how they feel, and how they live. I think it is more fun to read a book when you know a lot about the characters, because you can imagine them in your own head. 

            The questions I have right now are: why did Clare choose to write the series the Mortal Instruments? How did she come up with the storyline? How did she come up with the characters? I always wonder how authors can come up with their story lines and what is going on in their head. I really look up to authors, because they can just come up with a story and put that on paper. I would like to learn if it’s maybe something that happened in the author’s life that they come up with the stories, or if they just have a big imagination. The other thing I am wondering right now is: what is going to happen in the series? I am reading the third book right now, and I have two more books to go. So much is happening in every book that I am just wondering what is going to happen in the next two books.