entertaining and thought provoking
340505
This young author combines facts from the Bible with a great imagination emphasizing  a terrific lesson that life is all about choices we make. Although I'm old enough to be his parent, I still found the book an imaginative story and well written. I believe an audience of young adults would relate to the characters particularly well. Good job! I hope to hear more from this upcoming author.
4294525
Sometimes we read about far off places or times to escape the reality of the day. Big Little Lies is more an exploration of today's morality and issues using characters that are believable, allowing us to explore our own feelings and behavior. I found it thought provoking and allowed me to explore the judgments I assign to common issues we encounter.  It was also suspenseful and entertaining. Loved the twists.
1083502
This book made me laugh and made me think.  It is a great read and a great change from so many of the other self-help books that read like sermonettes.  This book is both entertaining and thought provoking. I laughed out loud.
4836412
This book brings you into a thinking mode while entertaining you.

A capable man who can make practical reality based decisions who

declines to take control or make things happen in his personal life. A man who reacts rather than acts, through most of his life.  It is also introspective of a man's view on loss.  I truly felt this was a thinking feeling person's book. All the more remarkable for a first novel writer. even though an experienced writer. Looking forward to the next book from this writer who shows a brilliant future. Entertaining, emotional, and educational, what a combination!

Patt Gronick
2173751
Timothy Patricks latest novel "Death of a Movie Star" is a wonderfully entertaining read. With great pace, storytelling detail, character development, and imagination, Patrick takes us into the not-too-distant future on the set of the wildly popular network reality show StarBash.

The successful show is hosted by Micah Bailey but produced by a long-time icon named Lenora Danmore. Danmores wealth and fame put her in the rare air of Hollywoods elite, complete with her own theme park. Patricks description of the theme park is especially interesting. His ability is evident in painting the picture of something that is not quite present reality, but not far off in the future. It is a great use of imagination without becoming fantastic.

The two other central characters  Cassandra Moreaux and Brandi Bonacore  are contestants on StarBash, each with their own fascinating backstories. The people of "Death of a Movie Star" show significant depth of personality. None of them are all bad or all good and at times one feels sympathy or censure towards them each of them.

I tend to agree with the judgment of an old-time Hollywood studio mogul, who said If you want to send a message, use Western Union. It was his way of saying that message movies are usually bad entertainment. It takes a lot of skill to present important issues with a deft hand, to keep an artistic work entertaining yet still thoughtful.

With "Death of a Movie Star," Timothy Patrick admirably succeeds in dealing with real issues without detracting from the entertainment of the story. Without a heavy hand, the reader is led into considering the nature of fame and celebrity, the publics love-hate relationship with the entertainers they embrace, and the nature of ones past baggage.

Perhaps best of all was the way Patrick touched on the idea of media bias. Staying away from the overwrought present controversies of fake news and mainstream media, Patrick nonetheless brings light to the problem of media and entertainment that loses touch with the people it claims to serve.

In a memorable scene from "Death of a Movie Star," Cass Moreaux is brought to the stunned realization that she has, in fact, despised her audience. She turns back to the dive bar that was the one-night set for an episode of StarBash, grabs a guitar and connects with her audience in a way that brings her both back to her entertainer roots and forward past her present crisis, if only for a night.

Through this, the reader is skillfully invited to question the relation between the audience and the artist. One memorable line gives this sense. Patrick asks, How could Hollywood ever hope to capture the whole human experience if it pretended that vast segments of the human experience didn't even exist?

Tim Patrick also shows himself to be an able researcher. The presentation of the television and the entertainment business is descriptive without being hindered by incomprehensible jargon.

"Death of a Movie Star" concludes in a way both surprising and satisfying. Readers interested in fiction marked by imagination and skill will both enjoy and recommend this novel to others  as I recommend it to you.
2535748
I enjoyed this book. It's well done and opens up new possibilities.... of thought. A great book does more than entertain. Recommended.
2391584
This book is engaging and entertaining, truly a thought-provoking read. It is not a "fringe" book, it deals with serious scientific thought of where life could exist in the universe, how long it could survive, how it could communicate or travel and therefore be known to other civilizations. The author's conclusion is profound and chilling and quite convincing after reading all the solutions that come before it. If you are at all interested in astronomy or astrobiology, this book will be worth your while.
1962985
Well, I would not normally decide to pick up this kind of book, but the reviews and the daily deal made me think why not.  Actually, this turned out to be a very entertaining book about a serious subject - religion.  I suppose the first reaction for many is to think the author had become some religious nut, but the purpose of the book was far more interesting.  Could the author apply the values, and principles of the Old Testament and the New Testament to his daily life.

The author has a terrific sense of humor so this is what makes this book a fun read, i blew through the 300 pages quickly as the narrative is essentially a diary of his year and his life with kids and a wife and a writing career while applying these religious principles.

The book is not biased, is certainly not an attempt to convert followers, but is rather a nice mediation on how much modern life occurs without much thought to things that have religious basis and those that don't or perhaps violate religious prohibitions - mixed fibers - who knew?

I really enjoyed reading through the book, and it made me think about lots of things.  A very worthwhile read if you have the slightest interest.
1574038
This is a wonderful read, often disconcerting in the way it makes one reflect on how we can allow ourselves to slip into behaviour patterns and habits without seeing the the effects on our personality and the people around us.  An entertaining and thought provoking story that is totally based in real life
3228483
Interesting outlook on books of the Bible.  Found it to be informative, thought provoking and entertaining.  Definitely a read for broad minded folks.
1673870
This book was captivating in that it entertained while connecting real emotions and issues through fantasy. Definitely thought provoking. Read in one weekend.
3743631
Prolongment is well-researched, thought-provoking sci-fi thriller about the question of consciousness, embodiment, and the ethical use of technology. The author takes some fundamental questions about the nature of time and quantum mechanics and turns it into an engaging and entertaining read. The book is a real page-turner and doesn't get bogged down by scientific theory. It is the perfect balance between mind-bending questions and well-paced narrative. If you're interested in the larger questions of reality, but want to be entertained, Prolongment is the book for you.
1046598
Thoroughly enjoyable and potentially life changing when one takes it to heart.  Tony does a masterful job of making you feel as if 'this could be you' as he writes about the drama that tends to unfold in similar ways in many of our lives.  The truths this couple unearths from some old letters applies still today.  Tony weaves a bit of history with modern day life together to form an entertaining and thought provoking tale.
3558381
This book will challenge your ideas about the role of the church in your city and in the world! Written in a relaxed and conversational manner, 'The City Gate' is full of John Alley's personal stories and experiences. Both entertaining and interesting, I recommend this highly thought-provoking, yet, easy-to-read book for both young and mature readers.
3643745
A great read, highly entertaining and thought provoking.  It may be worthwhile to have a zoological encyclopedia as a companion volume, as I found I often wanted to learn (and see) more of the creatures discussed.  My only criticisms; that more illustrations would have been welcome, and that the books Canterbury Tale metaphor occasionally became arduous.
1950538
This book was great. The 42 rules were helpful and the discussions that followed were entertaining and clever. The authors elaborated on the 'rules' with compelling naratives, sprinkled with interesting anecdotes, and drawing from literature, philosophy and popular culture to flesh out their points. I found much that was useful for running my medical practice and helping my staff work better as a team, but I also found it excellent for helping to enrich the social dynamics within my own family. Just great; entertaing,thought-provoking and full of useful insight.
2752716
This was a very entertaining and thought provoking book.  Enjoyed reading while on a flight. Good plot twists ..never dull!