The Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

These are one of the best historical romance novels I have ever read. She has 6 books in print in the series with number 7 due out at anytime. I have reread the series at least 4 times and everyime I realize something new.

It starts in Scotland in the year 1945. A young amry nurse from World War 1 and her historian husband for a 2nd honeymoon. The haven't been together in over 6 years. While vacationing Claire does a lot of sight seeing while her husband researches the Scottish history from the past 200 years.

While strolling looking for flowers that she presses for medicinal research she stumbles through a passage of standing stones and lands in the middle of a scottish raid in the year 1745.

You'll be amazed at the history and romance in these books. If you love a good mystery, facts and unbeleivable imagination. This book is for you.

NNNNN A Novel by Carl Reiner

NNNNN A Novel by Carl Reiner is a book about a man named Nat Noland, who has a phychological problem who visits a shrink. Nat was adopted by a family as an only child, however during this visit with the srhink the learns that he may have a twin. The story takes Nat through his adventure of traveling all over the United States looking for the answers of whether he does indeed have a twin. Eventually he finds out that he was born as a quadruplet, and him and his brothers were seperated at birth. In the end of the story all the brothers eventually reunite, which brings International headlines.
The story was actually good because it was an easy read because of the comedy that the author decided to add into it. There weren't any parts of the book that dragged on, there was constant clashes going on throughout the story which provided great entertainment. I would recommend this book to anybody who likes fiction writing.

-Ryan Johnston

Nights in Rodanthe by Nicholas Sparks

Nights in Rodanthe is much like Sparks' other novels. Based on a story of love and heartbreak, Sparks allows his readers to feel the emotions as the characters are experiencing them and brings you right into the setting. Adrienne and Paul are two divorced older adults who find love in only a matter of days while stranded in a storm in Rodanthe, North Carolina. Their heart wrenching story will prove to be an easy and quick read as you wont want to put the novel down. Readers will also be able to look forward to this novels movie release soon in 2008.

Everyman

This book is about a man who goes through life almost dying but somehow staying alive until he reached teh age of seventy one. He goes through several surgeries and comes out alive. The narrator, Philip Roth, does a very good job portraying the character as a realistic person. The character is referred to as "he" rather than by name which is very interesting but at times hard to follow. The novel describes the life of the main character. The author talks about how the man came from a loving family and was raised in Elizabeth, New Jersey. The character grew up to be a smart man who went into advertising in order to please his parents. He really wanted to be a pinter but obeyed the wishes of his parents. The story talks about old age and how people don't understand who've they become as they get older. All in all, the book teaches the reader about life and how others are going through the same things that everyone else is.

The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold

Such a great book. A little lengthy but a very quick read. Probably a book that leans more towards females, but I am sure a male could read the book and make it through the whole thing. The Lovely Bones is about a young girl who is raped and murdered by someone who lives in her neighborhood. Throughout the story you see how this young girl watches her family, friends and even her own life change drastically due to such a tradegy. Couldn't put the book down, thought it was great. Again, probably more of a choice for a female rather than a male. I would definately recommend reading it though!

Cross By: James Patterson

I thought that this book was very good. James Patterson did a great job on this book; you are interested throughout the whole thing. The book is about a serial rapist and murder that is being chased by the main character Alex Cross who is a detective for the FBI. I would recommend this book for anyone because it’s one of those books that when you start you can’t stop.

A Man Without a Country by Kurt Vonnegut

This is the most untraditional book I ever read in terms of the way its written. However, if your good at catching on to humor it is a funny book. Kurt Vonnegut covers some issues of today. He also gives his perspectives on some of the things he talks about but with a comedian's appeal. It is a good book to read for pleasure but I definitely wouldn't suggest it if you need to write a book report about it.

The 6th Target By: James Patterson

If you are looking to read a book that keeps you at the edge of your seat and wondering what is going to happen next, this book is the one for you. The 6th target is packed with action and is a quick read. James Patterson does an excellent job twisiting the plot so that it keeps the reader guessing. This was a fantastic quick read and I highly recomond it.

Money by Terry Pratchett

Just read Terry Pratchett's latest book, Making Money. Think of Douglas Adams' satire/humor (The Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy) only better! Pratchett is the second most read author in England (that would be one place behind J. K. Rowling). Most of his novels take place on Discworld, a circular world on the back of a giant star turtle supported by four elephants. Many deal with a particular institution. Previous books dealt with rock music, the post office, newspapers, and religion to name a few subjects. This one is a great primer on banking and economics. If you like a book that's laugh-out-loud but also helps to explain how things work in the real world I think you'll enjoy Money. By the way, Conant Library has it as part of the new popular fiction collection in the Library lobby.

I'll leave you with one (of his many, many) quotables:
"I'll be more enthusiastic about encouraging thinking outside the box when there's evidence of any thinking going on inside it."

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