I love James Patterson's humility! I love that he returned your call. Imagine what you would have lost out on if he hadn't? Following up with people is difficult to do in our busy lives but not impossible, and Mr. Patterson has proven it by doing so with you, Bill.
Part of the problem with literacy in the US (and, I suppose other countries) is that people make it the job of others to get their kids interested in it. Children mimic what their parents do. If they see you reading, if you read to them, they start to love it. If you're a parent who hates reading, then getting your child to do it is going to be an uphill battle...unless they have a great daycare provider or teacher who gets them there in spite of you.
My mother did her best to get me to the library, but it was my grandmother who really got me started. She insisted I go to bed early… then I “wasn’t allowed to read”. Meanwhile next to my bed she put “AliBaba and the 40 Thieves” along with a flashlight. Haha
I love James Patterson, he became a fast favorite when I ran out of Margaret Truman books to read. As a youngster who lived in the library, reading 20-25 books a week, I applaud James for his pledge to get kids reading. I am constantly making anyone aware of the benefits of a good book. Young or old. For students it is a must! You gain so much from reading besides the adventure alone! I loved his cameos in the show “Castle.” Knowing more of his life will just make him more endearing .
I’ve long been a fan of James Patterson and have most of his books, not all bc of failing eyesight. Some are great reading, escapism and some are dreadful depending on the latest author du jour
I think you played into his agent's "repair Paterson's image" tour. He is undoubtably talented and I used to buy his books within a week of publication as one of my "must read" authors. But after his old-guy racist rant, I've decided his work isn't worth my time.
Patterson’s academic and business acumen got lost along the way. He has bought into the trite novelist genre. Too bad he shrugs off the criticism of substantial writers. He could learn a lot about literature from them. But he’s only in it for the money.
I LOVE James Patterson -- the person and the author. The Author -- fills his books with realistic humans, people who have real lives with good and bad things happening, like most of us do. They are people who love, work, play, work some more, learn, adapt, and then work some more. Just good, plain, regular folks like you and me.
The Person -- came to my home town for our wonderful fall book festival as one of our keynote speakers! He was personable, fun, not shy at all, and extremely approachable. Everyone who was lucky enough to get a ticket to the event thoroughly enjoyed seeing him and asking lots of questions. Kids, especially, enjoyed him, which was totally awesome.
Both the Author and the Person are givers -- thoughtful of others in so many ways. His monetary gifts to help children become readers and enjoy reading are absolutely legendary.
I know your conversation was delightful! Thank you for sharing! :)
Mostly, I've read almost all of Patterson's Alex Cross books. About the last of the 7 other things, I of course laughed hysterically along with the guys wearing the shirt. But, being 94 years old and entertaining many red and brown bruises up and down my arms (not from "abuse," but from inadvertently bumping into or simply touching hard things), I don't wear short-sleeved shirts anymore. So my wife didn't buy me one.
I love James Patterson's humility! I love that he returned your call. Imagine what you would have lost out on if he hadn't? Following up with people is difficult to do in our busy lives but not impossible, and Mr. Patterson has proven it by doing so with you, Bill.
Part of the problem with literacy in the US (and, I suppose other countries) is that people make it the job of others to get their kids interested in it. Children mimic what their parents do. If they see you reading, if you read to them, they start to love it. If you're a parent who hates reading, then getting your child to do it is going to be an uphill battle...unless they have a great daycare provider or teacher who gets them there in spite of you.
My mother did her best to get me to the library, but it was my grandmother who really got me started. She insisted I go to bed early… then I “wasn’t allowed to read”. Meanwhile next to my bed she put “AliBaba and the 40 Thieves” along with a flashlight. Haha
That's a good grandma. :)
I love James Patterson, he became a fast favorite when I ran out of Margaret Truman books to read. As a youngster who lived in the library, reading 20-25 books a week, I applaud James for his pledge to get kids reading. I am constantly making anyone aware of the benefits of a good book. Young or old. For students it is a must! You gain so much from reading besides the adventure alone! I loved his cameos in the show “Castle.” Knowing more of his life will just make him more endearing .
JP interview...appreciate his commitment to education. Shirt squad laughs...great boost for the week!
Love the JP interview! Thanks for sharing Bill!
I’ve long been a fan of James Patterson and have most of his books, not all bc of failing eyesight. Some are great reading, escapism and some are dreadful depending on the latest author du jour
I think you played into his agent's "repair Paterson's image" tour. He is undoubtably talented and I used to buy his books within a week of publication as one of my "must read" authors. But after his old-guy racist rant, I've decided his work isn't worth my time.
It’s encouraging that James Patterson is still a good person in spite of his great success.
Patterson’s academic and business acumen got lost along the way. He has bought into the trite novelist genre. Too bad he shrugs off the criticism of substantial writers. He could learn a lot about literature from them. But he’s only in it for the money.
Great story. I have always liked Partterson’s books.
I LOVE James Patterson -- the person and the author. The Author -- fills his books with realistic humans, people who have real lives with good and bad things happening, like most of us do. They are people who love, work, play, work some more, learn, adapt, and then work some more. Just good, plain, regular folks like you and me.
The Person -- came to my home town for our wonderful fall book festival as one of our keynote speakers! He was personable, fun, not shy at all, and extremely approachable. Everyone who was lucky enough to get a ticket to the event thoroughly enjoyed seeing him and asking lots of questions. Kids, especially, enjoyed him, which was totally awesome.
Both the Author and the Person are givers -- thoughtful of others in so many ways. His monetary gifts to help children become readers and enjoy reading are absolutely legendary.
I know your conversation was delightful! Thank you for sharing! :)
Mostly, I've read almost all of Patterson's Alex Cross books. About the last of the 7 other things, I of course laughed hysterically along with the guys wearing the shirt. But, being 94 years old and entertaining many red and brown bruises up and down my arms (not from "abuse," but from inadvertently bumping into or simply touching hard things), I don't wear short-sleeved shirts anymore. So my wife didn't buy me one.
Clearly the womens trick if buying the same shirt also says a lot about the group of men they bought them for! Everyone of them laughed!
I have not read any of James Patterson’s books … perhaps it’s time I start!
You interviewed James Patterson for 45 minutes and this is all you got?! Perhaps this is the case of the mysteriously missing interview…