Abbott, Scott and Swinton, Amy Maude - The Ghost of Christmas Present

Title: The Ghost of Christmas Present
Author: Scott Abbott and Amy Maude Swinton
Year: 2012
Genre: Fiction - christmas
Pages: 226
Rating: 7/10

This was a cute little book that turned out to be a very quick read. 

Yet another story of a man who is about to lose everything he holds dear, but in the spirit of Christmas, can he turn his Scrooge's heart around in time? 

Trying to keep his little family together in the face of hardship, this man will go to any length. 

This book is filled with literature and theater references. So if you need a little novel for your Christmas cheer with some funny thrown in among the sad, go ahead and take a read. 

Abbott, Megan - The End of Everything

Title: The End of Everything

Author: Megan Abbott

Year: 2011

Genre: Fiction- teen

Pages: 246

Rating: 6/10

I have a hard time connecting with this book. It's teeming with teenage lust and yearning. The 

primary focus is on a dynamic duo of 13 year olds Evie and Lizzie. Lizzie, being the narrator, tells the story of the two of them growing up together, the almost melding of lives they have shared. 

Being a non-sexual person, I don't understand a majority of this book in a way that I can relate. I mean I understand the words the author is weaving. Ms. Abbott is much like a poet. The whole book feels like a poem, every word chosen carefully. She even allows for plot twists that will carry the reader all the way to the final page before realizing the truth of it all. 

Overall I enjoyed the story, but feel a semi-relief for finishing. I feel as if I can close the book and feel lucky to never have to experience it again. This isn't a bad thing but more of a wholeness. 

I would not recommended this book for those who would be triggered by themes of sexual abuse, physical abuse, incestual notions, and even small glimpses of self harm. 

As Jennifer McMahon says on the back cover, "This is a book that gets under your skin and stays there". 

Abbott, Jeff - Adrenaline

Title: Adrenaline

Author: Jeff Abbott

Year: 2011

Genre: Fiction- suspense

Pages: 400

Rating: 9/10

After a week long hiatus because of my vacation (I really tried to read in the car, but it didn't work), I finished the rest of this book in two school days lol. 

This book is my favorite of the two books I have read from this author. 

This one is the beginning of a series revolving around a CIA agent, Sam Capra. The story line is similar to the previous in that it's all government related and secret spy stuff. Sam thinks he is happily married and about to have a child when his wife calls in a panic and leads him out of the office building before it explodes. 

He is now the only survivor, trying to figure out who bombed them, where his wife and child are, and who he can trust. 

This story is very thrilling and enjoyable. Highly recommended. 

Later on, I will return to Sam Capra's story. I would continue now, but my branch only currently has the first and last of the four book series. I'll see if the others are at another branch later on. 

Abbott, Jeff - Panic

Title: Panic

Author: Jeff Abbott

Year: 2005

Genre: fiction- suspense

Pages: 353

Rating: 8/10

First and foremost, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Although the middle was slow, I couldn't wait to get to the end. I just wanted to have everything figured out. 

This book is suspenseful, thrilling, and full of plot twists. 

The only character you can trust is Evan Casher, the main character and our very own "action hero", as he calls himself.

Evan learns some secrets about his family and the people close to him due to tragedy that happens early on in the book. He has no one he can trust and has to rely on his instincts to navigate the world of government spies. 

The entirety of this book takes place in just nine days, so there's plenty of action to draw out nine days into 353 pages. 

I highly recommend this book for those who like action. 

The next book two books I am supposed to read are later books published by the same author in the same genre. However, I will only be reading one because they are actually both from a small series; the first book being the first in the series, and the second book being the last in the series. I don't want to skip the middle of the story, so I will only be reading the first. I'll just have to make sure I'm ready for a cliffhanger :) 

Abbott, David - The Upright Piano Player

Title: The Upright Piano Player

Author: David Abbott

Year: 2010

Genre: Fiction- Psychological (ish) 

Pages: 264

Rating: 4/10

I found this book quite slow and confusing. It wasn't even until half way through the book that I could understand most of the characters. The author likes to jump storylines and semi introduce the characters. That makes it somewhat literarily interesting, but hard to follow. Also the book lacks a full circle satisfaction that a lot of books have. 

The main setting is in several cities in England, although the main character is American. Henry Cage is a business man who sort of feels like karma is getting the best of him through out the book. I mostly feel sorry for the man. 

Oh and don't expect for there to be much about a piano. I believe it makes a reference to him playing piano maybe three or four times.