Week Three Prompt Response

I am looking for a book by Laurell K. Hamilton. I just read the third book in the Anita Blake series and I can’t figure out which one comes next!

The fourth book in that series is called "The Lunatic Cafe." We can find that title by doing an "author" search in Novelist and scrolling down to the "series" tab. "Anita Blake: Vampire Hunter" series is listed first!

What have I read recently? Well, I just finished this great book by Barbara Kingsolver, Prodigal Summer. I really liked the way it was written, you know, the way she used language. I wouldn't mind something a bit faster paced though.

Great! Let's see if we can find some read-alikes that might be a bit faster-paced. Let's browse Novelist using "appeal" terms. We will search for books that are lyrical and descriptive like "Prodigal Summer" but a bit more fast-paced. Here are a few suggestions that come up:

"The Year of the Flood" by Margaret Atwood (in fact, this reader might really like any Margaret Atwood)

"Prophet Song" by Paul Lynch - this is "dystopian" but it captures what appeals to this reader: lyrical and descriptive language with a fast pacing

"Straw Dogs of the Universe" by Ye Chun - this title is compelling, descriptive, and lyrical, but also fast-paced and intricately plotted 

I like reading books set in different countries. I just read one set in China, could you help me find one set in Japan? No, not modern – historical. I like it when the author describes it so much it feels like I was there!

That sounds interesting! Let's do a keyword search in Novelist: Historical Japan. Then we'll filter for genre - "historical fiction" and writing style - "descriptive" and "richly detailed." Here are some suggestions:

"The Teahouse Fire" by Avery Ellis

"The Final Storm: A Novel of World War II in the Pacific" by Jeff Shaara

"Pachinko" by Min Lin Lee

I read this great mystery by Elizabeth George called Well-Schooled in Murder and I loved it. Then my dentist said that if I liked mysteries I would probably like John Sandford, but boy was he creepy I couldn't finish it! Do you have any suggestions?

John Sandford writes thrillers that contain violence and are often darkly humorous. Elizabeth George writes in quite a different style, so that's probably where your issue lies. You're probably looking for a true mystery that is leisurely paced but still intricately-plotted. Let's check on Novelist and see what authors read like Elizabeth George.

"The Searcher" by Tana French

"A World of Curiosities" by Louise Penny

"The Knowledge" by Martha Grimes

My husband has really gotten into zombies lately. He’s already read The Walking Dead and World War Z, is there anything else you can recommend?

Do you know that "The Walking Dead" is also available in graphic novel format and as a television series? If he is looking for novels, let's check Novelist and see if there are any read-a-likes. 

"The Zombie Autopsies: Secret Notebooks from the Apocalypse" by Steven Schlozman

"The Passage" by Justin Cronin

"Zombies: A Brief History of Decay" by Olivier Peru

I love books that get turned into movies, especially literary ones. Can you recommend some? Nothing too old, maybe just those from the last 5 years or so.

Novelist has a great way to search for just this! Under "Quick Links" you can go to "Page to Screen" and find lots of search results. Here are some:

"The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes: a Hunger Games Novel" by Suzanne Collins was just released as a movie last November

A new film version of "The Color Purple" by Alice Walker was just released in theatres last month.

"Eileen" by Ottessa Moshfegh was released in theatres last month.

 I love thrillers but I hate foul language and sex scenes. I want something clean and fast paced.

"A Distant Shore" by Karen Kingsbury combines romance with a "dangerous mission." It is categorized as "Christian Fiction."

"Mission Compromised" by Oliver North is a Christian suspense novel described as action-packed and fast-paced

"The record Keeper: A Murphy Shepherd Novel" by Charles Martin is a Christian suspense, intricately-plotted, and fast-paced.

How do I find books to read:

I am surrounded with coworkers who LOVE to read, and they are always full of great suggestions. My coworkers are really my go-to because among them, their interests span across genres. After completing this assignment, however, I can really see the value in Novelist, and I will certainly be using it. Finally, since this class started and we've been assigned books to read, I joined goodreads! I'm thrilled to see all of the suggestions there as well. 

Thriller Annotation

 

Author: Liv Constantine

Title: "The Last Mrs. Parrish"

Genre: Thriller, Psychological Suspense

Publication Date: 2017

Number of Pages: 393

Geographical Setting: Bishops Harbor, CT (coast of Long Island Sound); New York City

Time Period: Present day

Series: follow-up “The Next Mrs. Parrish” to be released in June, 2024

 

Plot Summary: Amber Patterson has never had the “good things” in life, but she wants them, and she wants them desperately. In fact, she will do anything necessary to achieve her self-serving and self-aggrandizing goals. Ingratiating herself into the life of likeable and beautiful New England socialite Daphne Parrish, Amber manipulates their friendship and takes full advantage of Daphne’s kindness and vulnerability.  Amber spares no one, and Daphne’s entire family, including her two beautiful daughters and husband, the gorgeous and charming Jackson Parrish, are among Amber’s targets.

The story follows Amber’s manipulative plotting and point of view and is peppered with references to a shady, mysterious, past which drives her ruthless determination. Later, readers are treated to a not-so-naïve perspective from Daphne, which turns the story excitingly upside-down.

 

Subject Headings:

Rich people

Manipulation by women

Socialites

Female friendship

Jealousy

Married men

Deception

Secrets

 

Appeal:

Pacing – Measured and purposeful; short chapters and minimalist language and style propel the storyline continuously ahead toward an unpredictable and cathartic finale (Wyatt and Saricks, 2018, p. 38)

Tone – Suspenseful and ominous, sometimes edgy, with most of the action taking place in the characters’ minds (p. 36)

Story line – Twisting plot details with intertwining points of view; includes a final shocking revelation and an ending that is hard to guess in advance (p. 36)

Characterization – Amber’s story is told in the third person, and we get to know her complex and self-aggrandizing inner-workings by following her character’s vitriolic and sometimes maniacal thoughts against her very calculated and purposeful actions. At times, the author hints at certain self-redeeming qualities of the protagonist, but these are quickly eschewed so that readers could not possibly sympathize with her.

Language/Style – incorporates a dueling perspective approach (p. 38)

 

3 terms that best describe this book:

Tense, disquieting, suspenseful

 

Similar Authors and Works:

Fiction Titles:

“Gone Girl” by Gillian Flynn

This read by Gillian Flynn shares the dueling perspective style, the unlikeable characters, and the shocking twists and turns that appeal to readers of “The Last Mrs. Parrish”.  Toxic marriage relationships are explored in both, and readers are never quite sure where the truth lies.

“The Girlfriend” by Michelle Frances

The main character in Frances’ suspense thriller shares many of the same characteristics as Amber Patterson. She is a social climber who will stop at nothing to get what she wants. Both stories present a sinister character who ingratiates herself into a world of wealth.  The two novels share several appeal elements in common, including dueling perspective, characterization, and intricately plotted suspense.

                                        “The Talented Mr. Ripley” by Patricia Highsmith

The theme of entitlement pervades this novel, and Mr. Ripley is very reminiscent of Amber. Believing himself “due” all the best things, the eponymous main character plots and schemes to work his way up the social ladder. The story takes place in the glamourous world of the very wealthy.

 

Nonfiction Titles:

              “The Sociopath Next Door: The Ruthless Versus the Rest of Us” by Martha Stout

Readers of the “Last Mrs. Parrish” follow Amber’s thoughts and mindset for much of the story. This nonfiction read explains the personality disorders which drive her actions and propel her ruthlessness while explaining why she has little to no remorse for her horrible actions.

“The Confidence Game: Why We Fall For It... Every Time” by Maria Konnikova

This nonfiction read treats the topic of con artists and the keys to their success. Readers of “The Last Mrs. Parrish” who are intrigued by Amber’s persistence in pretense might be interested in finding out more about how she is so successful in deceit.

“Confessions of a Sociopath: A Life Spent Hiding in Plain Sight” by M.E. Thomas

This book would appeal to those fiction thriller readers who want to know more about the inner workings of the minds of their amoral and cutthroat protagonists. The author is a diagnosed sociopath, and her memoir might help readers understand what drives Amber Patterson to do the horrible things she does without remorse.

 

References

Wyatt, N., & Saricks, J. G. (2018). The readers' advisory guide to genre fiction: Third edition.    

               American Library Association.

My Reading Profile

I'll start off by saying that I do not do much reading for "pleasure." I know I should, especially working at a public library where I'm often confronted with impromptu readers advisory questions. My go to? My coworker or Novelist! When I saw that we had to read 5 books for class, however, I got excited! I finally have the opportunity to read with the added bonus that it's a school assignment; no way around it! I'm hoping I will evolve into a "voracious" (or perhaps semi-voracious reader) as this class progresses. Just because I'm not a pleasure reader, however, doesn't mean I don't read at all. Here are my general habits and go-to's.

I'm a fan of nonfiction, some literary fiction, and poetry. My nonfiction repertoire is grounded largely in biographies. I love reading about people and stepping vicariously into their worlds. Since I'm a fan of classic movies, I love reading about classic movie stars. I've read several, from Bette Davis to Marlene Dietrich, from Rock Hudson to Vivien Leigh! (I want to read a historical fiction piece for one of the annotation assignments. Could anyone recommend a historical fiction that might peak my interest?! Isn't there a book based loosely on the life of Hedy Lammar?). One nonfiction book which I really enjoyed reading was "Educated" by Tara Westover. I also enjoy reading books on spirituality (those books you'd find in the 200s).  I'm often hungry for facts and truth, and these types of books fill that need for me.

Certain books of literary fiction fall under the "best books I ever read" category. Two of my favorite books of all time are "The Chosen" by Chaim Potok and "A Separate Peace" by John Knowles. Literary fiction allows me to delve into a book on a deeper level and wrestle with questions and issues that face societies and cultures. I like books that I can read over and over again and learn something new with each attempt. Finally, I enjoy reading poetry, specifically, poetry that unveils the beauty of nature and that connects nature with spirituality. Robert Frost and Mary Oliver are two of my favorites. I like poets who successfully put words to deep emotions that are difficult to verbalize. 

After reading the "Appeal of Books" document for Module 2, I am much more aware of what drives my reading interests, and I'm all over the place! As I was reading the document, I tried to fit my reading interests into specific "appeal" categories, but I struggled to do so. For example, I enjoy certain character-focused books but not others. Some very fat, literary, books appeal to me greatly, while others do not. Some fast-paced page-turners will garner my interest, but others leave me wanting more. Learning about appeal factors also helped me understand why I don't like certain books (and it's not a bad thing not to like a book, right?). I could never explain why I didn't like "Jane Eyre," but now I can tell you exactly why I didn't like it - language which was overly literary and descriptive, extremely slow-moving plot (little to no action), length, and the lingering, dwelling, pace. Knowing what you don't like can certainly help you determining what you do like!