Tag Archives: Grand Central Publishing
Admiral McRaven’s Quote on Daring in Life
In the book that I will present at the First Friday Book Synopsis at the Park City Club this week, Admiral William H. McRaven, wrote this in Make 
Your Bed: Little Things That Can Change Your Life…and Maybe the World (New York: Grand Central Publishing, 2017).
You Must Dare Greatly.
If you want to change the world sometimes you have to slide down the obstacle head first.
“Life is a struggle, and the potential for failure is ever present, but those who live in fear of failure, for hardship, or embarrassment will never achieve their potential.”
You can still register for this event online by going to our home page. The advance registration fee is only $29.
One Month to Go Before Sparks’ Newest Hits the Big Screen
I finished Nicholas Sparks‘ newest novel about a month before you can see it in theatres nationally. 
The Longest Ride (Grand Central Publishing, 2014) is an intriguing story about how a young and old couple’s lives become intertwined in an unforgettable way.
The film is released by 20th Century Fox, for an April 20 premiere. The cast includes Scott Eastwood, Melissa Benoist, Britt Robertson, Jack Huston, and the formidable Alan Alda as the older version of Ira, one of the key characters in the book.
As with many novels adapted for the screen, it is fun to read the book first, and then see what changes are in the film. It is fun to guess what will appear, and what will be left out. You can watch the complete trailer by clicking here. You can see the official movie site by clicking here.
Sparks has become a master storyteller. His strength is weaving in variable time frames without confusing or losing a reader, then synthesizing them into a coherent ending. You also could find this in his previous book, The Best of Me.
There’s about a month before the movie comes out. Grab the book and see what you think. 
Sparks’ Novel Can Get the Best of You Too
I am a guy, so I don’t get emotional. But, the novel by Nicholas Sparks, The Best of Me (Grand Central Publishing, 2011), pushed me to the limit.
A high school sweetheart couple reunites after years of absence, and the relationship quickly lights up again. I won’t possibly spoil the ending for you, but it really is a great example of giving the best of yourself to another person, in a very unpredictable way.
The movie came out in October, 2014. There are both younger and older versions of the two main characters, with James Marsden and Michelle Monaghan in the couple’s present-day roles. I will likely watch it as soon as Netflix makes it available.
Sparks is one of the few male writers who seems to develop characters along with plot. My stereotype, and their are plenty of exceptions, is that female writers focus on character development, and male writers focus on plot development. Sparks does both.
I have already bought Sparks’ newest book, The Longest Ride (Grand Central Publishing, 2014). I need to read it in a hurry. as the movie will be released in April, starring Scott Eastwood, Britt Robertson, and Melissa Benoist.
Baldacci Shifts Gears in New Best-Seller
You likely know David Baldacci as the best-selling author of thriller novels. As quickly as he releases a new one, it rises up the charts rapidly, often landing at the # 1 position on the New York Times bestseller list.
This is true of his books such as Absolute Power, Stone Cold, First Family, True Blue, Hell’s Corner, and The Sixth Man. The last entry is one that I finished in the last week, and I believe it was one of his best efforts.
That is – until I finished another new release entitled One Summer (New York: Grand Central Publishing, 2011). This one is not a thriller. It is a genuine touching story about grace and redemption, filled with emotions and unexpected twists. It centers upon the fate of a family that is devastated by an unexpected loss and the remarkable healing power of hope, love, and perseverance.
The book is not “mushy.” It is not a soap-opera candidate. There are plenty of tough touches to keep male and female readers alike entertained. The book demonstrates the versatility of one of our best and most popular writers.
There are only a few weeks left in this summer. Make One Summer a destination for your reading before the fall.
When you finish, let me know what you think about it!
Let’s talk really soon!
