Disclaimer: All book excerpts and book covers were found at goodreads.com.
Time for another reading list, considering I haven’t done one in months. (I was reading Harry Potter ok).
There are a few books I’ve been wanting to read, but I have to be careful with what books I decide to buy and when. So I kind of prioritized the list a little and have three books to share today.
- Cross the Line, by James Patterson
Shots ring out in the early morning hours in the suburbs of Washington, D.C. When the smoke clears, a prominent police official lies dead, leaving the city’s police force scrambling for answers.
Under pressure from the mayor, Alex Cross steps into the leadership vacuum to investigate the case. But before Cross can make any headway, a brutal crime wave sweeps across the region. The deadly scenes share only one common thread – the victims are all criminals. And the only thing more dangerous than a murderer without a conscience, is a killer who thinks he has justice on his side.
As Cross pursues an adversary who has appointed himself judge, jury, and executioner, he must take the law back into his own hands before the city he’s sworn to protect descends into utter chaos.
This was a Christmas gift, I’ve read one of Patterson’s books before and it was ok. I’m about halfway through this one already and this book is a little more interesting. In terms of how I like to write and what I like to see in a novel, however, I find it’s missing the depth of description I usually enjoy. But overall the book is really good, and it’s that crime-fighting vigilante action story I like.
- Elements of Eloquence, by Mark Forsyth
goodreads.com/theelementsofeloquence
In an age unhealthily obsessed with substance, this is a book on the importance of pure style.
From classic poetry to pop lyrics and from the King James Bible to advertising slogans, Mark Forsyth explains the secrets that make a phrase – such as ‘Tiger, tiger, burning bright’ or ‘To be or not to be’ – memorable.
In his inimitably entertaining and witty style he takes apart famous lines and shows how you too can write like Shakespeare or Oscar Wilde. Whether you’re aiming for literary immortality or just an unforgettable one-liner, The Elements of Eloquence proves that you don’t need to have anything to say – you simply need to say it well.
I discovered this book through Pinterest and it has some cool writing tips to get the desired effect of the image in your head on paper. I thought it’d be worth the read, but I might have to order this one online since it’s not at my local Chapters right now.
- Big Magic, by Elizabeth Gilbert
Readers of all ages and walks of life have drawn inspiration and empowerment from Elizabeth Gilbert’s books for years. Now this beloved author digs deep into her own generative process to share her wisdom and unique perspective about creativity. With profound empathy and radiant generosity, she offers potent insights into the mysterious nature of inspiration. She asks us to embrace our curiosity and let go of needless suffering. She shows us how to tackle what we most love, and how to face down what we most fear. She discusses the attitudes, approaches, and habits we need in order to live our most creative lives. Balancing between soulful spirituality and cheerful pragmatism, Gilbert encourages us to uncover the “strange jewels” that are hidden within each of us. Whether we are looking to write a book, make art, find new ways to address challenges in our work, embark on a dream long deferred, or simply infuse our everyday lives with more mindfulness and passion, Big Magic cracks open a world of wonder and joy.
My sister just bought this book and I have no idea what it’s going to be like, but I’ll give it a read.
On a final note, you may also see some book reviews in the near future.
-Brittany
complexity corner 