Search Results for: blog tristis picks best novels read in 2006

Author Interview—J. Scott Savage on The Magic of Writing

We’ve been joined for the last two days by J. Scott Savage, author of the new young adult fantasy novel, “Farworld: Water Keep.” If you missed parts one or two, you can click here to catch up. Scott, we’ve talked about your new series in terms of what it’s about. Now I’d like to talk about the nitty-gritty of how it came about. When you write, do you outline, or do you go with the flow? One of the biggest debates among writers is whether to outline or not. Most people who don’t outline are afraid it requires too much … Continue reading →

Amazon Bestsellers – April 2008

What are the best selling books in the nation right now? What’s everyone reading? What are they talking about at the water cooler? Let’s find out. As of right this minute, the #1 best selling books on Amazon.com are: 1. “The Last Lecture” by Randy Pausch. Randy was a computer science professor at Carnegie Mellon. Professors are often asked to give their hypothetical “last lecture,” to pretend they are dying or retiring and to decide what things they would find most important to say. When Randy was asked to fulfill this assignment, he didn’t have to pretend. He already was … Continue reading →

Fool Me Twice – Stephanie Black

I finished this new LDS suspense novel last night and loved every minute of it. It’s not often that a book has so many twists and turns, I can’t stay ahead of it, but this one kept me guessing through the end. Megan O’Connor’s father passed away six years ago, and her needy mother asked her to stay home from college and help get things organized. Her twin sister, Kristen, walked away and never looked back, leaving Megan to pick up all the pieces. As the years passed, their mother became more and more demanding and manipulative, wheedling Megan’s college … Continue reading →

Specials – Scott Westerfeld

Third in the “Uglies” series by Scott Westerfeld, “Specials” takes us on a new journey with Tally Youngblood. At the end of “Pretties,” she had been taken in hand by Special Circumstances for thwarting their plans of controlling the populace through surgeries that would make everyone beautiful, but made them dumb and gullible. Tally fought hard to maintain her own will and her free agency, but Special Circumstances forced her to undergo another surgery, one that would rewire her brain and make her into one of them: a Special. Specials have gone through the most outrageous transformation of all. Their … Continue reading →

Amazon’s Bestselling Books — December 2007

Looking at the books that are topping the charts on Amazon’s website today, I’m seeing some of the books we saw last month and some new additions as well. Let’s see what America is buying as of right this minute – the list is updated hourly. 1. “Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman’s Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia” by Elizabeth Gilbert. This book, about a journey of self-discovery and the sampling of cuisines, religions, and love, was #4 on November’s list. 2. “A Thousand Splendid Suns” is written by Khaled Hosseini, author of “The Kite Runner.” Placed at … Continue reading →

Author Update: Josi Kilpack Announces New Book

LDS author Josi Kilpack is releasing a new book this week and granted this exclusive author update to Families.com to tell us more about it. Josi, with the release of this newest book, you’ll have seven books on the shelf. How does that feel? It’s amazing, one of those pinch-yourself moments. Ten years ago I’d written nothing, and had considered writing a novel about as often as I considered becoming an Electrical Engineer. To look back on that now is to be in awe of the path my life has taken and the gifts God gave me that I didn’t … Continue reading →

Johnny Tremain – Esther Forbes

If “Johnny Tremain” is not already included on every recommended reading list to be found in every public, private and homeschool in the nation, it ought to be. That’s how good this book is. Johnny Tremain is an apprentice in a silversmith’s shop. In his early teens, he’s already mastered much of the craft and is told by his teacher that he has a great skill for the trade. But an order comes in that is too large to fill by the appointed time, and the master will not work on Sunday. Determined to help his master meet his obligation, … Continue reading →

Author Review – Dodie Smith

After gleefully finding “I Capture the Castle” last year, equally gleefully blogging about it, and then, with a cackle I can only compare to that of a hen, proclaiming it my favorite read of 2006, I hereby pronounce that it’s time to learn a little more about the woman behind it all. Dodie Smith was born Dorothy Gladys Smith in 1896 in Lancashire, England, and grew up in Manchester. Her main dream as a child was to become an actress, but after spending sometime at the Academy of Dramatic Art, she decided that she was too short and wasn’t attractive … Continue reading →

Tristi’s Picks: Best Children’s/YA Books Read in 2006

To go along with the blog posted earlier about the best novels I’ve read in the year 2006, I’m sharing with you a list of books for children and young adults that I particularly enjoyed. Again, it was difficult to determine an order; I happened across some wonderful books this year. Click on the book title to read the full review. 1. “Ashes of Roses” by Mary Jane Auch. The story of the Triangle Factory Fire in New York City, I learned a great deal about the young immigrant workers who perished in the fire and the labor laws that … Continue reading →