updated 5:16 p.m. ET April 24, 2007
Newsweek Periscope
A Life In Books: James Patterson Newsweek
April 30, 2007 issue - Few writers are as prolific as thriller-churner-outer James Patterson—but even fewer have appeared on "The Simpsons." With six titles coming out this year (including the third in a young-adult series), he found time to share his own most dog-eared books.
MY FIVE MOST IMPORTANT BOOKS
"One Hundred Years of Solitude" by Gabriel García Márquez. The great American novel, which just happens to be from South America."Ulysses." Blame James Joyce for making me a mystery writer. I read this and stopped pretending I could ever write a serious novel."Our Lady of the Flowers" by Jean Genet. Rudely woke me from my provincial, small-town view of the world."Day of the Jackal" by Frederick Forsyth. This was where I stopped being a book snob, and started loving books to death."Huckleberry Finn" by Mark Twain. I'm keen on coming-of-age novels, probably because I'm still coming of age.A Certified Important Book you haven't read: OK, you got me—I've never read "Are You There, God? It's Me, Margaret."
The book you care most about having your children read: "Maximum Ride." I want young Jack to know what his dad does at the office, and, hopefully, to be proud.
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