Have you ever read books by James Patterson?
@JamesHxstatic (29242)
Eugene, Oregon
September 11, 2017 2:03pm CST
He is, I read, the world's best selling author, with some 350 million books sold. I should say co-author really, because these days Patterson, age 70, has a stable of writers who churn out books featuring many characters he has created over the years, such police procedurals featuring Alex Cross, Michael Bennett and more, along with books for children.
I have not actually read this writer. What got my attention about him is that he gives away millions of dollars to libraries, teachers and universities.
Just this year, classrooms all over the country are receiving $500 donations. He and Scholastic Books are giving 3500 teachers nationwide grants totaling $1.75 million to 3500 teachers around the country.
A writer who does this much good makes me want to buy one of his books.
Have you read Patterson's books? Check out his website for a world of information on this apparently really good guy.
29 people like this
32 responses
@topffer (42156)
• France
11 Sep 17
The Alex Cross books have been translated in French and a friend recommended them to me long ago. I lended 2 or 3 at the library, but I did not liked the style. I have seen a movie later, and I preferred the movie to the book, which is rarely the case. However I never read a book from him in English, and maybe the translation was not good, I cannot tell.
5 people like this
@topffer (42156)
• France
11 Sep 17
@JamesHxstatic A good author ! I liked a lot "The Spy who came in from the Cold"
2 people like this
@JamesHxstatic (29242)
• Eugene, Oregon
11 Sep 17
I suspect that the translations may be as good as the original, really. I am a John LeCarre fan.
3 people like this
@JamesHxstatic (29242)
• Eugene, Oregon
11 Sep 17
@topffer A great book! I heard him interviewed this week. His latest book is a prequel to the one you mentioned and it is featuring George Smiley as well.
I found the movie for that older book on disc at Netflix. It was made in 1965 with Richard Burton in the lead. We watched it last night. Excellent!
2 people like this
@pgntwo (22408)
• Derry, Northern Ireland
11 Sep 17
@JamesHxstatic Also an ok read. HarlaI Coben is another I encountered in a pile of books in a holiday apartment.
2 people like this
@JamesHxstatic (29242)
• Eugene, Oregon
11 Sep 17
I like Michael Connolly a lot too.
4 people like this
@celticeagle (159008)
• Boise, Idaho
11 Sep 17
No, I don't think I have. Great they he is giving back.
3 people like this
@celticeagle (159008)
• Boise, Idaho
11 Sep 17
@JamesHxstatic .....Yes, I like to hear about those that have the means helping out like this.
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29242)
• Eugene, Oregon
11 Sep 17
It is a really good thing he is doing.
2 people like this
@JamesHxstatic (29242)
• Eugene, Oregon
12 Sep 17
He is quite prolific with all those extra writers.
1 person likes this
@amadeo (111948)
• United States
12 Sep 17
@JamesHxstatic yes he is.Wonder who is doing the most.lol
1 person likes this
@KristenH (33351)
• Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio
11 Sep 17
Yes I have. I haven't read them all. He's prolific, even writes for kids and some romance as well. I've learned a decade ago from a contest that he outlines his books and gives him to his various co-writers to write. I just don't know how he does it, when he doesn't really write them himself. 
4 people like this
@KristenH (33351)
• Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio
12 Sep 17
@JamesHxstatic You might be right about that.
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29242)
• Eugene, Oregon
12 Sep 17
As long as they sell, I guess he will keep on that way.
2 people like this
@teamfreak16 (43421)
• Denver, Colorado
11 Sep 17
I've never read him. Don't know why, I just haven't.
4 people like this
@JamesHxstatic (29242)
• Eugene, Oregon
11 Sep 17
So many books, so many writers, so little time and we get stuck on some too. I like John LeCarre a lot.
2 people like this
@teamfreak16 (43421)
• Denver, Colorado
11 Sep 17
@JamesHxstatic - I like Tim Dorsey.
2 people like this
@JamesHxstatic (29242)
• Eugene, Oregon
11 Sep 17
@teamfreak16 Will have to look him up. John Burdett has some good ones set in Thailand, featuring the "only honest cop" in Bangkok.
2 people like this
@JamesHxstatic (29242)
• Eugene, Oregon
11 Sep 17
I read one or two but they were not memorable for me.
1 person likes this
@AbbyGreenhill (45496)
• United States
11 Sep 17
Not recently, but I have read many of his books, give it a shot!
3 people like this
@AbbyGreenhill (45496)
• United States
12 Sep 17
@JamesHxstatic That's a good idea!
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29242)
• Eugene, Oregon
12 Sep 17
I will look up some of the older ones, I think.
2 people like this
@sallypup (57869)
• Centralia, Washington
11 Sep 17
@JamesHxstatic I agree with you on that.
2 people like this
@JamesHxstatic (29242)
• Eugene, Oregon
11 Sep 17
I guess he can make more money this way. He is not a serious writer anyway.
2 people like this
@DeborahDiane (40055)
• Laguna Woods, California
12 Sep 17
@JamesHxstatic - I think it is wonderful that he donates money to so many worthwhile causes. I used to read his books. However, the last few have not been as well-written. perhaps he needs some new co-authors.
3 people like this
@JamesHxstatic (29242)
• Eugene, Oregon
12 Sep 17
Several have mentioned that. I have only read a couple of older ones.
2 people like this
@andriaperry (116860)
• Anniston, Alabama
11 Sep 17
Good lord YES! I actually have a shelf full, some I have read, some I have not. Nowadays he does have many co authors but I have read HIS and he is a much better writer.
I also love Stuart Woods, the past two books I have read is by him, I mix up my reading , some months one author and some months another so I wont get bored.
3 people like this
@Happy2BeMe (99399)
• Canada
11 Sep 17
I havr read a number if his books. He is one of my favorite authors.
3 people like this
@JamesHxstatic (29242)
• Eugene, Oregon
11 Sep 17
I know a lot of people must like him.
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29242)
• Eugene, Oregon
11 Sep 17
I don't recall the one or two I read either.
2 people like this
@snowy22315 (169967)
• United States
11 Sep 17
Thanks for saying that...apparently he is! Yes, I have read some of Patterson's books, I guess I am going to have to read more!
3 people like this
@kprofgames (3091)
• United States
12 Sep 17
I have to say that he is one of my favorite authors. A more recent read is "Now you see her". I like his style and the flow to his stories. His books are often times hard to put down.
2 people like this
@JamesHxstatic (29242)
• Eugene, Oregon
16 Sep 17
Interesting. There has been a wide range of comments about him. As @Mike197602 said above, "he is a brand now."
1 person likes this
@Mike197602 (15487)
• United Kingdom
12 Sep 17
The crime genre is my area of interest so I've read a few of his books.
They're all pretty average...james patterson is now a brand not an author as these days others write his books for him.
Andrew Gross is one who started writing with him then got big in his own right...I totally avoid any JP book now as there are way better authors out there.
2 people like this
@JamesHxstatic (29242)
• Eugene, Oregon
16 Sep 17
I must say that I agree. John Burdett has written some good ones set in Thailand.
@redurnet (1799)
• United Kingdom
12 Sep 17
My dad likes to read Patterson books. I decided to read one to see what it was like and quite honestly I thought it was the worst thing I'd ever read. It was like something a high school kid had put together. I later heard that the author has other people write his books and then I assumed the one I'd read had been assigned to a novice writer. If this is helping to generate funds then I guess it is a good idea. I think if you enjoy reading to pass the time and don't want a challenging read then you may enjoy his novels.
2 people like this
@JamesHxstatic (29242)
• Eugene, Oregon
12 Sep 17
I am a Le Carre fan really. His complex plots and moral dilemmas interest me.
1 person likes this
