Discover a wealth of wisdom and insight from James Patterson through their most impactful and thought-provoking quotes and sayings. Expand your perspective with their inspiring words and share these beautiful James Patterson quote pictures with your friends and followers on social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, or your personal blog - all free of charge. We've compiled the top 1191 James Patterson quotes for you to explore and share with others.

Think about it. When the end comes, will you be buried in the arms of the one you love? Of the one who knew you your whole life, who loved you your whole life? The only person who could really and truly love you like you needed to be loved? I hope so. By James Patterson Life Love Loved End Buried

Soovee?" I ask. "Did Mom make it so you can drive yourself?" "Correct." "This is so cool!" says Trip. "Yesterday, Dr. Hayes mounted a range finder to my roof housing a 64-beam laser." So that's what she was doing when she was too busy to look at my rotten Spanish homework. "This laser allows me to generate a detailed 3-D map of my environment," Soovee continues. "I will take that map and instantaneously overlay it on top of high-resolution, real-time traffic maps and produce all the data models I need to drive myself, and you, safely to school." "But what if the police see me not driving?" asks Dad. "No worries," purrs the car. "Mom also tinted the windshield. You can see out, but no one can see in. Why, you could fully recline your seat and take a quick nap." Okay. I know what I want our new science project to be: Soovee - the self-driving electric car! "Sit By James Patterson Soovee Mom Correct Car Map

Regret is a waste of time. By James Patterson Regret Time Waste

One good thing is that I've been following the priest's orders to meditate on how I've hurt people. It's helped me recognize that we can't help but make mistakes, even when our intentions are good. By James Patterson People Good Thing Priest Orders

Margo, they're afraid of us. They're afraid of everything.' And then I kept on talking without really thinking, until it turned into a chant:They're afraid of change, and we must change.They're afraid of the young, and we are the young.They're afraid of music, and music is our life.They're afraid of books, and knowledge, and ideas.They're most afraid of our magic. By James Patterson Afraid Margo Music Thinking Chant

I get up every morning and chop wood, and I pretty much do it seven days a week, and I like to do it. I still have time for my wife and my son, who's 14, and at this point, my head is still above water. By James Patterson Wood Week Morning Chop Pretty

HYSTERICAL HISTORY Bumping into Vincent O'Neil makes me think about what Uncle Frankie said. I need new material for Boston, not Vincent's stale and stinky fart jokes from The Big Book of Butt Bugles and Blampfs. So I keep my eyes open for new concepts to work out as I go to history class that afternoon. We're supposed to give a presentation on our favorite president. I chose Millard Fillmore. Why? Because nobody else will. Plus, his name is funny. Who knows? Maybe I'll get a whole bit out of him for Boston. I roll to the front of the class and prop a portrait of President Fillmore on the flip-chart easel. "Millard Fillmore was the thirteenth president of the United States. Born in January 1800, he was named after a duck. No, I'm sorry. That was his brother Mallard Fillmore. Millard Fillmore was the last member of the Whig Party to ever hold the office of president. Probably because they all wore wigs. By James Patterson Fillmore Hysterical Vincent Bumping Uncle

So, Angel?" I said, looking over at her. She was gliding through the night, her eight-foot wings looking like a dove's. "Have you picked up anything from Anne, about anything? Anything off?"Not really." Angel thought. "From what I can tell, she does work for the FBI. She does care about us and wants us to be happy. She thinks the boys are slobs. I'm blind," Iggy said irritably. "How am I supposed to make everything all tidy?"Yeah, because you're so handicapped," I said sarcastically. "Like- you can't build bombs or cook or win at Monopoly. You can't tell us apart by the feel of our skin or feathers. By James Patterson Angel Anne Yeah Fbi Iggy

SITTING TIGHT? Holing up? Waiting for answers? Those are things I'm not good at. Planning a massive attack against mechanical geeky-like things when i was already furious and itching to kill something? Piece o'cake By James Patterson Sitting Tight Things Holing Waiting

I doubted it. Some people say trying is all that matters, but unfortunately it's only the first step. Sometimes you're got to catch a break and win one, too. You've got to stand up on the bar and do the antler dance. Plus, as I now knew as well as anyone, people really suck at consoling themselves. By James Patterson Doubted People Matters Step Dance

The most striking thing about beautiful churches, to me, is that they were mostly designed by people who were inspired by a belief in something larger and more important than themselves, and this is how I try to lead my own life. By James Patterson Churches Life Striking Thing Beautiful

A friend of mine once defined love as finding someone you can talk to late into the night By James Patterson Night Friend Mine Defined Love

the car into gear and drives through the gate. Dede closes the gate behind them, taking another look across the street and seeing nothing. "That's the thing, though," she says when she reenters the car. "He wasn't walking. He was just watching us. I mean, I think. With the headlights, I couldn't really see. It could just be my eyes playing tricks." Annie pulls the Beetle onto the grass next to the massive detached garage, hidden from sight. She lets out a sigh. "Good to be home," she says. "There's no place like home. There's no place like - " "Would you shut up?" As they walk toward the back entrance, they see the ladder the hot tool-belt guy used yesterday, broken down and lying in the grass. "Noah was cute," Annie says. "Was he? Was he cute?" Dede throws another elbow. "Now, now, dearest, I only have eyes for you. By James Patterson Gate Car Gear Drives Annie

The other Max looked at me, and her eyes narrowed. 'They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery,' she said snidely. 'So I guess you're really sucking up.''Who are you?' I gasped, my eyes wide. 'You're an impostor!''No she isn't.' The little creepy one, Angel, turned to look at me. Her arm was still bleeding where Ari had bitten it. 'You are.'I swallowed my anger. Who did she think she was, her and her stupid dog? I gave a concerned smile. 'But Angel,' I said, sincerity dripping from my voice, 'how can you say that? You know who I am.''I think I'm Angel,' she said. 'And my dog isn't stupid. You're the stupid one, to think that you could fool us. I can read minds, you idiot. By James Patterson Max Angel Narrowed Looked Stupid

I don't get a chance to be funny with the thrillers. I like to be funny, and I think I am really funny. So with 'Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life', it was fun to let loose. By James Patterson Funny Thrillers Chance Middle School

want you, it's their loss," Grandma said. "Why don't we just wait and see what they say?" Ms. Donatello told me. "I have to go to the bathroom," Georgia said. I didn't want to talk anymore, so I just made like Leonardo the Silent and kept my mouth shut after that. Finally, the office door opened, and Mr. Crawley, the director of the school, came over to talk to us. I tried not to look like I wanted to disappear. Or self-destruct. Or both. "First of all, Rafe," he said, "you should know there are three things we look for in an applicant. One of those is experience. A lot of the students at Cathedral have been studying art since before they could write." "Sure," I said. "I get it. No problem." But he wasn't done yet. "The other two things we look for are talent and persistence," he said. "Not only is that portfolio of yours full of artistic promise, it's also just full. When I see that, I see a boy who would probably keep drawing whether anyone was paying attention or not. By James Patterson Grandma Loss Talk Things Full

I was speechless. Which is, as you know, very rare. By James Patterson Speechless Rare

I believe we should spend less time worrying about the quantity of books children read and more time introducing them to quality books that will turn them on to the joy of reading and turn them into lifelong readers. By James Patterson Turn Time Books Readers Spend

E is definitely the biggest ERROR my mother has ever made - worse than the time she designed a litter-box-cleaning robot that flung clumps of kitty poop all over the house. By James Patterson Error Made Worse Robot House

A PoemBy Max White is the color of little bunnies with pink noses. White is the color of fluffy clouds fluffing their way across the sky. White is the color of angel's wings and Angel's wings. White is the color of brand-new ankle socks fresh out of the bag. White is the color of crisp sheets in schmancy hotels. White is the color of every last freaking, gol-danged thing you see for endless miles and miles if you happen to be in Antarctica trying to save the world, which now you aren't so sure you can do because you feel like if you see any more whiteness-Wonder Bread, someone's underwear, teeth-you will completely and totally lose your ever-lovin' mind and wind up pushing a grocery cart full of empty cans around New York City, muttering to yourself. That was my first poem ever. Okay, so it's not Shakespeare, but I liked it. By James Patterson Color White Max Angel Noses

He gave me a warm smile, and I blinked, realizing he was cute. I'd never really hadthe luxury of noticing cuteness or lack thereof in guys. Mostly it was the lethal/nonlethal distinction that I went with By James Patterson Smile Blinked Realizing Cute Gave

Homework is a term that means grown up imposed yet self-afflicting torture. By James Patterson Homework Torture Term Grown Imposed

We couldn't know the future or how long it would last. We could only choose to be happy and alive right now. By James Patterson Future Long Choose Happy Alive

Oh, my God. It hit me like a tsunami then: how perfect he was for me, how he was everything I could possibly hope for, as a friend, boyfriend - maybe even more. He was it for me. There would be no more looking. I really, really loved him, with a whole new kind of love I'd never felt before, something that made every other kind of love I'd ever felt just seem washed out and wimpy in comparison. I loved him with every cell in my body, every thought in my head, every feather in my wings, every breath in my lungs. And air sacs. By James Patterson God Love Loved Kind Boyfriend

I think sometimes we give people a lot of credit just because they're writing nice sentences even if it isn't adding up to much. By James Patterson Give People Lot Credit Writing

What I remember most is that the laws of physics no longer seemed to apply. Gravity was backwards and the world was, I'm quite certain, moving in slow motion. His pull wasn't a pull; I was just falling upward, and he caught me. There really was no beginning or end to the kiss; it wasn't even really there- and because of that, it was tremendous. Our lips were just four sweet, shy people meeting, saying, "Hello, it's nice to meet you." But what passed between them was massive. Nuclear. And in an instant, every cobweb inside me was obliterated. My inner struggles, my uncertainty, my fear of tiger attack ... gone. Just the feeling of being a newborn, a pure soul just waiting to be imprinted upon. By James Patterson Apply Remember Laws Physics Longer

I hate you!" I screamed at Fang. Tucking my wings in, I aimed downward,diving toward the ground at more than two hundred miles an hour."No you dooonnn't!" Fang's voice spiraled away into nothingness, far aboveme.Inside my head, almost drowned out by the roar of wind rushing by my ears, Iheard the Voice make a tsking sound. You guys are crazy about each other, itsaid. By James Patterson Hate Fang Voice Iheard Itsaid

The school crossing guard is a zombie?" screams the youngest Smiley. Then she starts crying. "I hugged her once, Mommy! Am I gonna turn into a zombie, too?" "Take it easy, dear," says Aunt Smiley. "It's just a joke. I think. Right, Jamie? By James Patterson Smiley Zombie Screams Mommy School

What?" I said, suspicion starting to rise in me. "When did they start coming after you?""Was it - was it after the oil-slick Hummer crash?" the Gasman asked Iggy tentatively. My eyes widened. Oil-slick Hummer crash?Iggy rubbed his chin, thinking. "Or maybe it was more - after the bomb," the Gasman said in a low voice, looking down. "I think it was the bomb," Iggy agreed. "That definitely seemed to tick them off. By James Patterson Iggy Hummer Gasman Crash Bomb

Can you giggle while racing for your life and protecting a six-year-old? I can. By James Patterson Giggle Racing Life Protecting

Wanted that to be my bedroom," he says. "It'd be so easy to sneak out at night to TP yards, egg cars, and punch people." Yes, Stevie has an active social life. By James Patterson Wanted Bedroom Stevie Yards Egg

I, Alex Cross do solemnly promise-to all those present at this birthday party- to do my best to balance my life at home with my work,life,and not to go over to the dark side ever again. By James Patterson Alex Cross Party Solemnly Promiseto

Let's face it: Most of us don't realize it, but we are failing our kids as reading role models. The best role models are in the home: brothers, fathers, grandfathers; mothers, sisters, grandmothers. Moms and dads, it's important that your kids see you reading. Not just books - reading the newspaper is good, too. By James Patterson Role Models Reading Face Realize

We all love each other, Ange," I said impatiently, hating this whole conversation. "No, not like this," she went on relentlessly. "Fang loves you." ... My mouth dropped open. How does she know this stuff? "Forget it! No one's getting married!" I hissed. "Not in New Hampshire or anywhere else! Not in a box, not with a fox! Now go to sleep, before I kill you! Oh yeah, like I got any sleep after that. - pg 35 By James Patterson Ange Impatiently Hating Conversation Fang

Cool." Yep. Twenty seconds, and we were done. "Sorry," I said. "Ditto," said Beck. "Is anybody going to apologize to me?" Storm trudged into the hallway from the cabin she shares with Beck. "I was trying to sleep." "I thought you were making a list of our food supplies," said Beck. "It took about two seconds because we have about nada. I decided to take a nap instead. And now thanks to you two, I'm awake. What're you two doing?" "We need to get into The Room," I said. "Why?" "To find Dad's treasure map for the Caymans dive." Storm made a fish-lips face and thought about that for a couple of seconds. "Good idea." Then, yawning and scratching her butt, she turned around and shuffled back into her cabin. "Okay," I said to Beck, "if you were By James Patterson Beck Cool Storm Ditto Cabin

Galapagos tortoise," she said. "I'm one hundred and seven years old." "Huh. And you don't look a day over a hundred and five," I said. By James Patterson Galapagos Tortoise Huh Hundred Years

He knew that people were staring at him. He looked different. Even different from other Erasers. He wasn't as - seamless. He didn't look as human as the rest of them did when they weren't morphed. He kind of looked morphy all the time. He hadn't seen his plain real face in - a long time."I know who you are."Ari almost jumped - he hadn't noticed the boy slide onto the bench next to him.He frowned down at the small, open face. "What?" he growled. This was when the little boy would get scared and probably turn and run. It always happened.The boy smiled. "1 know who you are," he said, pointing at Ari happily.Ari just snarled at him.The boy wiggled with excitement. "You're Wolverine!"Ari stared at him."You look awesome, dude," said the boy. "You're totally my favorite. You're the strongest one of all of them and the coolest too. I wish 1 was like you."Ari almost gagged. No one had ever, ever said anything like that to him. By James Patterson Ari Boy Knew People Staring

It doesn't matter what the end looks like - what matters is that it came. Bam, you're done. But life, Axi? There are degrees of life. You can live it well or half-asleep. You can go sledding down a sand dune, or you can spend your life in front of the TV. And I don't mean to sound like a stupid after-school special, but you have to keep living the way we did these last weeks. Risk, Axi. That's the secret. Risk everything."I nodded, trying not to cry again. "Okay. But I might not keep stealing cars.""That's all right," he said. By James Patterson Axi Matter Matters Life End

The actor Danny Kaye used to say, "Life is a great big canvas. Throw all the paint you can at it." I like that thought. More important, I try to live by it as much as I can. I By James Patterson Life Danny Kaye Canvas Actor

Am I tough? Am I strong? Am I hard-core? Absolutely. Did I whimper with pathetic delight when I sank my teeth into my hot fried-chicken sandwich? You betcha. By James Patterson Tough Strong Absolutely Hardcore Sandwich

The thing is, Max," he said, tons of heart-wringing emotion in his eyes, "you're even more special than I always told you. You see, you were created for a reason. Kept alive for a purpose, a special purpose." You mean besides seeing how well insane scientists could graft avian DNA into a human egg? He took a breath, looking deep into my eyes. I coldly shut down every good memory I had of him, every laugh we'd shared, every happy moment, every thought that he was like a dad to me. "Max, that reason, that purpose is: You are supposed to save the world." 62 Okay, I couldn't help it. My jaw dropped open. I shut it again quickly. Well. This would certainly give weight to my ongoing struggle to have the bathroom first in the morning. By James Patterson Max Tons Eyes Purpose Thing

Now, Max, I think we both know your parents aren't missionaries."I opened my eyes wide. "No? Well, for God's sake, don't tell them. They'd be crushed. Thinking they're doing the Lord's work and all. By James Patterson Max Missionaries Wide Parents Opened

He's gonna be fine," I confirmed. "Can we see him?" Iggy asked. "Ig, I hate to break this to you, but you're blind," I said, my relief making me tease him. "However, in a little while you can go listen to him breathe and maybe talk to him. By James Patterson Fine Confirmed Gonna Iggy Asked

Do you ever miss it, not being a doctor anymore?" I shook my head, frowned a little. "I really don't. Something delicate and essential broke inside me when Isabella died. It will never be repaired, Kyle, at least I don't think so. I couldn't be a doctor now. I find it hard to believe in healing anymore. By James Patterson Miss Anymore Doctor Kyle Isabella

If I could run the world, I'd find another way to treat most of these criminals - most of them, not all of them - but we find widespread solutions to widespread problems in this country, so we just build big prisons and stick everyone inside them and, for the most part, forget about them once they're gone. Noah By James Patterson Find Widespread World Criminals Country

I RAISED AN EYEBROW AT HIM, AND HE STUCK OUT HIS TONGUE AND CROSSED HIS EYES WHEN JOSH TURNED AWAY FROM US TO GET THE FLYERS. IT WAS SUCH A DORKY MOVE THAT I SHOULD HAVE FELT SORRY FOR HIM, BUT IT WAS GENUINELY ... CUTE By James Patterson Flyers Raised Eyebrow Stuck Tongue

Did you know that wasn't me, the other Max?" I asked."Yeah.""When?""Right away.""How?" I persisted. "We look identical. She even had identical scars and scratches. She was wearing my clothes. How could you tell us apart?"He turned to me and grinned, making my world brighter. "She offered to cook breakfast. By James Patterson Max Yeah Identical Asked Away

There was another thing I hadn't counted on. And that was falling in love, as fast and irrevocably as you would fall off a cliff, and realizing that loving someone might mean to simultaneously want to slug them and hold them and possibly have to watch them die. ... I hadn't counted on that. By James Patterson Counted Thing Love Cliff Die

We want Max to ... breed. To produce heirs. Who will govern the world after she dies."Dead silence for quite some time. We all stared at Dr. Hans, our jaws dropped to various levels. Our lives had reached a new low of inhumanity.My face flushed. Part of me had assumed, hoped, that if Fang and I lived long enough, we would get married. Maybe have a little flock of our own. But i really hadn't planned it all out. And he was gone now, anyway. How could I possibly ever find someone ... My eyes scanned Dylan's face, I saw his discomfort."Oh, no," I said in horror."Yes," Angel confirmed. "Freaking unbelievable. By James Patterson Max Breed Dead Hans Face

SHUT UP!" I yelled all the way down the hall. "FOR ONCE IN YOUR LIFE, JUST SHUT YOUR STUPID NOSY MOUTH! By James Patterson Shut Life Mouth Stupid Nosy

I was breathless, talking as fast as I could. I was afraid if I stopped talking, even for a second, I'd start sobbing again."Whoa, there." Fang smiled and reached up, tracing a hand down the side of my face, winding strands of my hair around his fingers. "Stop talking and let me just tell you how great it is to wake up staring at your face. Okay? By James Patterson Talking Breathless Whoa Fast Face

What I said yesterday didn't mean anything! I love everyone in the flock! Plus, it was the Valium talking!""Uh-huh. You just keep telling yourself that. You looove me."Max: (tries to punch him)"Pick a tree. I'll go carve our initials in it."Max: (screams and runs into bathroom) By James Patterson Max Uhhuh Yesterday Valium Pick

Um, there's a girl meeting her friend,' he went on. 'Her friend is giving her an ice-cream cone. Oh-it's dripping. Huh. It, uh, dripped on her ... chest.'Iggy drew in a hissing breath.It's gonna stain for sure,' the Gasman said. 'That's chocolate.'Hmm,' Fang said, watching, the girl dab at her chest with a paper napkin. By James Patterson Friend Meeting Girl Hmm Iggy

I'm Dr. Ethan Kane, director of the Hauer Institute. My senior medical staff joins me in welcoming all of you to Maryland and to Liberty General Hospital. Think of it! You've been chosen to make an extraordinary journey with us. You'll be making medical history, making some very good money as well, and this will be the best experience you've ever had. I guarantee it! By James Patterson Kane Institute Ethan Hauer Director

Max, you're acting like a child, the Voice said. You're above rebelling against your fate just to rebel. You've got a date with destiny. Don't be late.I brushed some hair out of my eyes. Is that a movie quote? Or is it an actual date? I don't remember destiny asking me. I never even gave destiny my phone number. By James Patterson Voice Max Child Destiny Acting

If you are lucky you will find something you love, if youre really lucky youll find someone to pay you for it By James Patterson Lucky Find Love Youre Youll

Which means what?" I demanded. "That I'm nothing? That I'm not a person? That you can do anything you want to me and it's okay? You're so full of it! But you're wrong. I know that I do matter. I am important. And you're a pathetic, cold, pointless wastoid who's going to grow old alone and die, then roast in limbo forever. By James Patterson Demanded Person Cold Wrong Matter

Walking up to the screened porch, however, I felt as strange and disconnected as I had ever been in my entire life. It was as if I were two people: a man who was a capable detective, a loving husband, and a devoted father who was heading toward a quiet little house in the South, and an unsure and fearful boy of eight trudging toward a home that might be filled with music, love, and joy or, just as easily, screaming, turmoil, and madness. By James Patterson Walking Porch Life Screened Felt

Okay? Now you know all this stuff about me, and I still don't know anything about you. I don't even know if you're still there. Are you? And if you are, can I trust you with the rest? I still want to know - are you a good person? Maybe that's not fair of me to ask, since I haven't even figured out whether I'm a good person or not. I guess you can be the judge. Here's the deal. If you're okay with me so far, then keep reading. But if you've gotten this far and you think I'm the lowest of the low and I don't deserve to have my own book, then maybe you should stop right now. Because it only gets worse from here. (Or better, depending on how you look at it.) Signed, your friend (?), RK By James Patterson Good Person Stuff Rest Trust

Total?" I said when he was close. "Can you talk?" He flopped down on the grass, panting slightly. "Yeah. So?" Jeezum. I mean, mutant weirdos are nothing new to me, you know? But a talking dog? "Why didn't you mention this before?" I asked him. "It's not like I lied about it," said Total, reaching up with a hind leg to scratch behind one ear. "Between you and me, I'm still trying to get used to the whole flying-kid thing. By James Patterson Total Yeah Close Talk Jeezum

I'm glad I'm feeling this way. I'm really glad."Dr. Keyes looked rather dismayed. "Really, sweetheart?""Yes. And I don't want to let it go. Not yet. I'm just starting to feel it. And it feels ... I don't know. Right, I guess. Maybe even ... good. By James Patterson Glad Feeling Keyes Glad Dismayed

Commercial books don't even get covered. The reason why so many book reviews go out of business is because they cover a lot of stuff that nobody cares about. Imagine if the movie pages covered none of the big movies and all they covered were movies that you couldn't even find in the theater? By James Patterson Commercial Covered Movies Books Book

They call me, The Sharkalator By James Patterson Sharkalator Call

This thing called Contrmporary America--and its obsession with televisions, game systems, and computers_has gone a littlr far if you ask me. Some call it the Information Age, but I'd tend to say it's more the Sitting-on-one's-butt-and-letting-other-people-do-the-thinking-for-you Age. By James Patterson America Contrmporary Age Televisions Game

If my life were a corny horror movie, and the heroine was lost and alone, trapped in an underwater cave, what would happen next? If you guessed, "She drops her flashlight, and it hits a rock and breaks, leaving her in utter darkness," you would be right. But I bet you didn't guess the part about an attack by a giant octopus. By James Patterson Movie Trapped Cave Life Corny

Fang! Come Back!" I started pulling his hair. Shaking his head and shoulders. Hard. "Wake up! Snap out of it! You stupid jerk! I am going to kill you if you die on me! By James Patterson Fang Back Wake Hard Hair

I'm sure some of you get sent to your rooms sometimes by your parents. All I have to say is, the next time it happens and you're lying there all mad thinking about how hard your life is, just picture me standing next to you, ready to smack you upside the head. When I get sent to my room, it's in a freaking dungeon! With rats! By James Patterson Parents Ready Head Rooms Room

Living life was like puttingthe beach into a jar. The point wasn't to fit everything in;it was to attend to the most important things first - thebig, beautiful rocks - the most valuable people andexperiences - and fit the lesser things in around them.Otherwise, the best things might get left out By James Patterson Living Jar Things Life Puttingthe

Just in case you thought elephants were all sweetness, I can attest to the fact that this one had the time of her life scaring the bejeezus out of those dudes. By James Patterson Sweetness Dudes Case Thought Elephants

I found this, though," Gazzy said excitedly, holding up a small green box. "Gas-X! Like, 'X' for explosion! This is great! I'm thinking I rig this with a detonator and-""Did you find that in the medicine cabinet?" Dylan asked."Yeah.""It's for upset stomachs," Dylan said, trying to hide a smile. He pointed to the words on the box. "It's to reduce gas in you digestive system, not to create more gas to make explosions."Gazzy's face fell as Iggy said, "Really? Gazzy, take it! Take the whole box! By James Patterson Gazzy Excitedly Holding Box Dylan

I loved this woman. You can't just turn off that kind of feeling. But I loved a person who didn't exist. I loved someone Diana was pretending to be. Maybe the signs were there, but I refused to see them. Maybe I didn't want to see them. By James Patterson Loved Woman Diana Feeling Turn

He'd noticed that his grandson was working too hard, and he was the one who told him about the marbles. He told it this way. He said that the average life span for men was around seventy-five years. That meant thirty-nine hundred Saturdays - to play when you were a kid and to be with your family when you got older and wiser." "I see," I said. "Or to play once you got older. Or even to give lectures to anyone who'll listen." "Shush, Alex. Now, listen. So the grandfather figured out that his grandson, who was forty-three, had about sixteen hundred and sixty Saturdays left in his life. Statistically speaking. So what he did was he bought two large jars and filled them with beautiful cat's-eye marbles. He gave them to his grandson. And he told him that every Saturday, he should take one marble out of the jar. Just one, and just as a reminder that he had only so many Saturdays left, and that they were precious By James Patterson Told Saturdays Hard Grandson Noticed

Now, like all the other schools I've ever attended, the hallways of Long Beach Middle School are plastered with all sorts of NO BULLYING posters. There's only one problem: Bullies, it turns out, don't read too much. I guess reading really isn't a job requirement in the high-paying fields of name-calling, nose-punching, and atomic-wedgie-yanking. By James Patterson Long Beach Middle Bullying Attended

As a maternal figure, I always try to keep the flock safe, of course. But I admit, it did my heart proud to see the instant blood-lust pop into Gazzy's blue eyes and to see little Angel automatically tense up and get into fighting stance, ready to rip someone's head off. They were just so - so dang adorable, sometimes. By James Patterson Figure Safe Maternal Flock Gazzy

Do you love me?" James asked suddenly"Yes. I do." I didn't even have to think about it. It was so freeing"I love you, too," he replied. "I've never said that to anyone before."It was so hard to believe. "Really?"He grinned and gazed out the window. "Well, except my first motorcycle, Ramona. But she was a Ducati, so you can blame me. In fact, I think I might have loved her more than I love you."I punched James in the spot between his chest and shoulder. By James Patterson Love James Ramona Suddenly Ducati

Suspected he was a bleeding-heart lib, and he probably thought I was a right-wing warmonger. But since we never knew for sure how the other felt, we generally got along. I By James Patterson Suspected Lib Warmonger Bleedingheart Thought

Well, if it isn't Daniel X himself," Seth said with a yawn. "Become tired of living in this dump of a city already, eh? What can I do for you today? Death? Eternal enslavement? What's it going to be? By James Patterson Seth Daniel Yawn Death Today

What did that stupid deserting crap-bag ex-boyfriend, ex-best friend with the most perfect stupid hair do? He DIDN'T delete his crap off the desktop before he fled my life and left me all alone. That's what he did. By James Patterson Stupid Exboyfriend Exbest Deserting Crapbag

Purple is such a twisted, complex color - it conveys the passion of red, the sadness of blue, the depravity of black. Purple is neither happy nor sad. It is pain and despair but longing, too - fiery desire, beaten and bruised but struggling onward, determined to overcome, to move forward rather than retreat. By James Patterson Purple Twisted Complex Color Red

On the other hand, even a big, '80s love van was less noticeable than six flying kids and their talking dog. So there you go. By James Patterson Hand Big Love Dog Van

Save your world. Love it. Protect it, and respect it and don't let haters represent it. Don't leave the saving to anyone else, ever, because, exhibit A - why, hello there - it's way too much for one person. And if you want to skip out on the responsibility train, my whole life - and death - will have been in vain.It's yours. It's all yours for taking!You're not going to waste it now, are you? By James Patterson Save World Love Protect Exhibit

A fight with her mother? It was certainly within the realm of possibility, I guessed. Elizabeth was a teenager and her mother was ... well, her mother. Normally they were the best of friends, but even best friends fight. By James Patterson Mother Fight Friends Possibility Guessed

Lots of women are gifting themselves with diamonds for their right hand. By James Patterson Lots Hand Women Gifting Diamonds

I will torture you for a human eternity, during which time you will beg me for death by an Opus 24/24, or an ax, or a thousand snakebites. I can see the future, Daniel, and I am looking forward to it, every excruciating second of your murder and dismembedment. Isn't that a wonderful English word, dis-member-ment? By James Patterson Opus Eternity Snakebites Daniel Torture

Then you're a big loser, you don't get to finish the game, and the rest of the year will be about as much fun as a case of never-ending diarrhea, By James Patterson Loser Game Diarrhea Big Finish

Like we were just jagged puzzle pieces that made no sense alone but together we fit perfectly. That's what life is supposed to be like for normal people right? You find that other piece that matches yours that completes yours. And you make the jags and the crevices fit, even if they don't go in perfectly smooth, even if they require a few adjustments. You don't demand perfection you make it work and appreciate the parts that fit instead of obsessing about the small angles that don't. By James Patterson Fit Jagged Puzzle Made Sense

Don't ever leave me again," I said in a tiny voice.I won't," he promised into my hair, sounding most un-Fang-like. "I won't. Not ever."And just like that, a cold shard of ice that had been inside my chest ever since we'd split up-well, it just disappeared. I felt myself relax for the first time in I don't known how long. The wind was chilly, but the sun was bright, and my whole flock was together. Fang and I were together.Excuse me? I'm alive too." Iggy's plaintive voice made me pull back. By James Patterson Hair Sounding Leave Tiny Voicei

NOOOO! On the screen, a woman's eyes bugged almost out of her head, and I tried not to scream.Tried not to scream in exasperation, I mean. The serial killer was right in front of her, wide open! Clearly, instead of weeping like a moron, she could be lunging forward and administering a swift uppercut to the chin. Then this entire pointless ordeal would be over with, and I could go home. By James Patterson Noooo Screen Head Exasperation Wide

I had a question. 'Why does the name Pearl Harbor sound so familiar?'The lieutenant colonel's eyes narrowed. 'Pearl Harbor is the most famous U.S. military base in the world,' he said crisply. 'It's the only place on U.S. soil that has been attacked in a wars, since the Revolutionary War.'None of this was ringing a bell, but you already know I'm totally uneducated. Gazzy leaned over to whisper, 'It was a movie with Ben Affleck.'Ah. Now I remembered. By James Patterson Pearl Harbor Question War Affleck

The best in the state, Cannabis Cup winner for sure. Smiling now, N.P. turned his sunglasses at Wilson, said, I walked down By James Patterson Cannabis Cup State Wilson Winner

It's wherever you are. If it's tapped into any of your senses, it knows where you are and what you're doing."Oh no, I thought, my spirits sinking. I hadn't considered that. Did that mean nothing I did was ever anymore?"Even in the bathroom?" the Gasman's eyes widened with surprise. By James Patterson Senses Doing Thought Sinking Gasman

There is something so precious about watching your child day after day after day. I want to hold on to every moment, every smile, every single hug and kiss. I suppose it has to do with loving to be needed and needing to give love. By James Patterson Day Precious Watching Child Moment

Like, if you're gonna make a decision about me and my life for my own good without consulting me, I'd better be dying and unconscious, and you'd better be following carefully written instructions.~Max By James Patterson Max Unconscious Instructions Gonna Make

I mean,he decided we'd be better apart,you know?it wasn't a joint decision.like, if your gonna make a decision about me and my life without consulting me,i'd better be dying and unconscious and you'd better be following carefully written instructions. By James Patterson Decisionlike Consulting Instructions Meanhe Decided

Your kidding" i said. "we've escaped from top- security prisons, lived on our own for years, made tons of smarty-pants grown-ups look like fools without even trying,eaten desert rats with no A1 steak sauce, and your telling me we're minors and have to have guardians?" I shook my head, staring at him. "Listen pal, i grew up in a freaking dog crate. I've seen horrible, part-human mutations die gut-wrenching deaths. I've had people, mutants, and robots trying to kill me twenty-four/seven for as long as i can remember, and you think i'm gonna cave to state law? are you bonkers? By James Patterson Kidding Listen Top Security Prisons

The next morning-at least, I assumed it was morning, since we were all waking up- I felt like one of those twelve dancing princesses, who danced all night, wore holes in their shoes, and had to sleep it off the next day. Except, oh yeah: a)I'm not a princess; b)sleeping in a subway tunnel and having another brain attack aren't that much like dancing all night; and c) my combat boots were still in good shape. Other than that, it was exactly the same. By James Patterson Night Morning Princesses Wore Shoes

I made a pleasant discovery. You work hard at something eight hours a day, you get better. Not a lot better necessarily, but a little better, and that's just fine, because improving at golf, or anything else probably, is just a matter of making an endless series of tiny improvements. By James Patterson Discovery Made Pleasant Day Work

going. "'Your wife is ugly, and your daughter too. I think this play is stupid, so guess what? I'm out of here and you can kiss my - By James Patterson Ugly Stupid Wife Daughter Play

I like watching your ... power," Dylan said. "You're a beautiful flyer. Your hair is streaming through the air like silk ribbon. The sun is shining on your feathers. And I'm just glad to be here, with you. Even if we are trying to stop mass destrucion. By James Patterson Watching Dylan Power Flyer Ribbon

I love Nudge, Nudge is a great kid, but that motormouth of hers couldhave turned Mother Teresa into an ax murderer By James Patterson Nudge Mother Teresa Kid Murderer

Veins practically popping out of his neck, the jerk leaned out his window and yelled a bunch of swear words, including a new one I tucked away in my brain for future use, if necessary. By James Patterson Veins Neck Words Including Practically

Why is this happening? Who knows, really? Life and existence can never be fully understood. Stars are born only to explode. Creatures hunt other creatures, and then they die. The universe is a chaos of irrational forces wrestling with one another in a war without end. The human race is on the receiving end now. By James Patterson Happening Creatures End Life Understood

And now I was trying to brush my hair,you know,when I thought about it,and looking at myself in mirrors,wondering if I was pretty.Pretty! A year ago,when my haair got in my eyes I hacked it off with a knife.The only thing important about my clothes was whether they were to stiff to move fast in battle. And Fang had been my best friend and an excellent fighter. By James Patterson Prettypretty Brush Hairyou Knowwhen Thought

And oddly enough, some of the stuff he said about technology I think is actually true. These military robots they're starting to build really are scary. And this self-driving smartcar idea? Maybe it'll make some things cheaper, but won't it also put every truck driver and cabbie and FedEx and UPS worker in the world out of work? For what? So college kids can drink and drive safely? That you can do something amazing is amazing, but when is it too much? By James Patterson True Oddly Stuff Technology Amazing

Fang swerved closer to me, big and supremely graceful, like a black panther with wings. Oh, God. I'm so stupid. Forget I just said that. "He needs a Band-Aid," I said. A look passed between me and Fang, full of suppressed humor, relief, understanding,love - Forget I said that too. I don't know what's wrong with me. By James Patterson Big Graceful Wings Forget God

Everybody in!" I said.Which was when we discovered the final problem.Little Echos aren't designed to hold six, count them six, larger-than-average-sized children.And their wings.And a dog."This is like a clown car," Total grumbled front my lap in the front seat."Why does the dog get to sit in your lap?' Gazzy asked plaintively, as we rattled and banged down the dark streets. "How about a kid?""Oh. 'The dog.' Very nice," said Total."Because you're not allowed to have people on your lap in the front seats," I explained. "It's not safe. If a cop saw us, we'd be stopped for sure. You want Total back there?"Everyone in the back screamed no at the same time. By James Patterson Lap Front Total Echos Dog

She can hear me?" "She probably can. I think so." I put his hand on Nana's and my hand on top of his. "Go ahead." "Hi, Nana!" he said as if Nana were hard of hearing, and it was difficult not to laugh. "Inside-the-house voice, buddy," Bree said. "But good enthusiasm there. I'll bet Nana heard you. By James Patterson Nana Hear Hand Bree Voice

Choose now,' he spat, his eyes practically shooting sparks. 'Me or him.' 'Gosh, Fang, you romantic fool,' I said sarcastically. 'How incredibly sexist-pig of you. By James Patterson Choose Spat Sparks Gosh Fang

Oh," I said. I felt like I'd just swallowed a boot: sick and lumpy. "Are you okay?" the blond kid asked me. "You look like you just swallowed a boot. By James Patterson Boot Swallowed Sick Lumpy Felt

You're a diabolical little pyro, aren't you?He blushed modestly. By James Patterson Pyro Modestly Diabolical Blushed

The truth will set you free, its the little white lies that'll save your ass. By James Patterson Free Ass Truth Set White

I loved her," Robinson said. "And I loved the sick girl you were when I met you, and I loved the good student and the bad driver. I loved the car thief, the hitchhiker, the quoter of novels I haven't read, and the hater of Slim Jims ... Axi Moore, I've loved every you there ever was. By James Patterson Loved Robinson Jims Slim Moore

I miss you already. By James Patterson Miss

Yeah, you're sitting in a tree because you're fine. That's easy to see. I can't believe this is Maximum Ride, destroyer of despots, warrior hottie, leader of the flock! All you need now to make yourself more pathetic is a pint of Ben and Jerry's ice cream! By James Patterson Yeah Fine Sitting Tree Ride

I'm a girl of extremes. When I love something, I'm like a puppy dog (without all the licking). When I'm cranky, I'm a wasp (like a whole hive of 'em). And when I'm angry, I'm a Mother Bear with a predator after her cubs: Dangerous. By James Patterson Extremes Girl Dangerous Dog Licking

I want to do it too!" said Gazzy, sitting very, very quietly, completely motionless."Nope," said Nudge, shaking her head. "You stand out like a fart in church. By James Patterson Nope Gazzy Nudge Sitting Quietly

Gazzy, man, jeezum!" Fang exclaimed. "What the heck have you been eating for God's sake?"That was a smoke bomb!" Gazzy defended himself. "Not even i could fill this whole flippin' house! By James Patterson Man Jeezum Gazzy God House

I want to do it too!" (sitting motionless)Nudge: "Nope, you stand out like a fart in a church."Max: (muttering) "Appropriately enough."Iggy: "What about me?" (stands still)Max: "No, you're visible."Iggy: "Am not!"Max: (throws a pinecone at him) "Could I do that if I wouldn't see you? By James Patterson Max Iggy Nudge Nope Appropriately

Glaring at the Gasman, ter Borcht said, "Your time is coming to an end, youpathetic failure of an experiment. Vhat you say now is how you vill beremembered."Gazzy's blue eyes flashed. "Then you can remember me telling you to kissmy-""Enough!" ter Borcht said. By James Patterson Gasman Borcht Ter Glaring End

Max, you're the last of the hybrids who still has ... a soul.' ... 'She doesn't have soul,' Gazzy scoffed. 'Have you ever seen her dance? By James Patterson Max Soul Hybrids Gazzy Scoffed

I want to know about my mom. And other stuff. I want to know the whole story, good or bad.""Me, too," said Gazzy. "I want to find my parents so I can tell'm what total scuzzes they are. Like, 'Hi, mom and dad, you're such scum! By James Patterson Mom Gazzy Stuff Story Good

Angel raised her hand. "Excuse me. What does LTC stand for?" She blinked innocently."Loving Tender Care?"Gazzy suggested.If our instructor had had lasers for eyes, he would have sliced Gazzy in half."Lieutenant colonel," he sputtered. By James Patterson Angel Hand Excuse Gazzy Raised

Gazzy: (Hugging himself and jumping up and down) "I'm brilliant! I'm a genius! I can blow up the world!"Max: (Raises her eyebrows)Gazzy: "Not that I would want to, of course," (coughs) By James Patterson Gazzy Hugging Brilliant Jumping Max

Gazzy: "Just Ten?"Angel: "No."Gazzy: "Five?"Angel: "No. By James Patterson Angel Gazzy Ten

Yeah, and so Max and Dylan are supposed to, like, go to Germany and have kids together," I heard Gazzy say. My eyes popped open and I bolted upright."What?" Fang said, his voice icy."Gazzy!" I yelled.Wide blue eyes looked at me in surprise, then back at Fang's stoic face. "Oh. Was I not supposed to say anything?" Gazzy asked. By James Patterson Max Dylan Germany Yeah Gazzy

It sucked, but it was way cool at the same time," Gazzy said. "I felt like the Blue Angels!" "Yeah, except the blue Angels are an extremely well funded, well equipped, well trained, well fed, and no doubt squeaky-clean group of crack navy pilots," I said. "And we're a bunch of unfunded, unequipped, semitrained, not nearly well fed enough, and filthy mongrel avian-human hybrids. But other than that, it's exactly the same. By James Patterson Gazzy Angels Blue Sucked Time

Uh-oh,' said Gazzy, but Angel was so nauseated she didn't have time to leap to a safe distance, or grab a gas maskBbbbbrrrrrrrttthhhhhhttttttt.'Mother of God, no!' Total cried, doing a fast belly-crawl to the pool and throwing himself in. 'You said it wasn't your digestive system!''What was that?' Dylan asked. He winced and threw an arm oer his nose and mouth. ... 'Sorry,' Gazzy said miserably, but he couldn't help a tiny grin.Nudge was clawing at a stack of towels to cover her face.'Nice one, Gaz,' said Iggy. ... 'Wait-that was Gazzy? Is that why you call him ... Oh, crap,' Dylan said weakly. By James Patterson Mother God Angel Uhoh Gazzy

Gazzy sniffed the air. "That's explosives. It smells like Christmas!"Okay, so we've had somewhat untraditional Christmases. With explosives. By James Patterson Gazzy Air Explosives Sniffed Christmas

Gazzy: Captain, like the captain of a ship. And then Terror, you know, T-E-R-O-R. By James Patterson Gazzy Captain Ship Terror

The girls can have the bed," Gazzy said. "Iggy and I can sleep on the floor."Excuse me, sexist piglet?" I said, raising my eyebrows. "How about the two smallest people share the bed 'cause they'll fit. That would be you and Angel."Yeah," said Nudge "Like, I'm too much of a cream puff to sleep on the floor? By James Patterson Gazzy Bed Girls Iggy Excuse

Gazzy called over to me "I can't see anything!""I can't see anything either," Iggy complained."I'm rolling my eyes, Ig." I had to tell him that because he couldn't see me do it, what with his blindness and all. By James Patterson Iggy Gazzy Complained Eyes Called

We're headed for the South Pole!" Gazzy jumped over the low threshold into our room from the boys' room next door. "And it's, like, so far south that it's the bottom of the whole world. By James Patterson Pole South Headed Room Gazzy

Okeydokey," I said to myself. "Provisions, check. Clothes, check. Enough explosives to pose a legitimate threat to multiple small countries-" I eyed the duffel bags that Gazzy and Iggy had packed- "check. By James Patterson Check Okeydokey Provisions Clothes Gazzy

Nope, you stick out like a fart in a church. By James Patterson Nope Church Stick Fart

Gazzy: "What does that mean?" (points to metal plaque warning to stay off the third rail that said Stay off the third rail!)Fang: "It means the third rail has seven hundred volts of direct current running through it. Touch it and you're human popcorn. By James Patterson Gazzy Fang Rail Stay Points

I vill now destroy de Snickuhs bahs!"-Gazzy By James Patterson Gazzy Snickuhs Bahs Vill Destroy

It's for upset stomachs,' Dylan said, trying to hide a smile. He pointed to the words in the box. 'It's to reduce gas in your digestive system, not to create more gas to make explosions.'Gazzy's face fell as Iggy said. 'Really? Gazzy take it! Take the whole box!''I second that emotion!' said Total. By James Patterson Dylan Stomachs Smile Gazzy Upset

His face flushed, and I felt like cheering. "Yes," he said stiffly. "Besides de vings." "Hmm. Besides de vings." Nudge tapped one finger against her chin. "Um ... " Her face brightened. "I once ate nine Snickers bars in one sitting. Without barfing. That was a record!" "Hardly a special talent," ter Borcht said witheringly. Nudge was offended. "Yeah? Let's see YOU do it." ... ... "I vill now eat nine Snickers bars," Gazzy said in a perfect, creepy imitation of ter Borcht's voice, "visout bahfing." By James Patterson Flushed Cheering Vings Snickers Hmm

Huh - Why is Max in the kitchen?"Dr.Martinez: "We're cooking."Gazzy: "She's just keeping you company, right?"Dr.Martinez: "No, she's cooking."Nudge: "Cooking ... food?"Max: "Yes, I'm cooking food, and it's great, and you're going to eat it, you twerps! By James Patterson Drmartinez Gazzy Nudge Cooking Huh

Instinctively I started to panic when Dr. Martinez strapped my arm down, andthen the panic just melted away, la la la.Someone took my other hand. Fang. I felt his calluses, his bones, hisstrength."I'm so glad you're here," I slurred, smiling dopily up at him. I took inhis startled, worried expression but dismissed it. "I know everything's fineif you're here."I thought I saw his cheeks flush, but I wasn't too sure of anything anymore. By James Patterson Panic Martinez Instinctively Andthen Hand

I could barely move my left arm, and it hurt like fire. I tried to stretch out my wing, only to suck my breath in hard as I found out it had been hit too. I couldn't see it well over my shoulder, but my big clue was the screaming pain. I was scraped all over, had lost my windbreaker, and, if I wasn't mistaken, I was sitting in a patch of poison ivy. By James Patterson Arm Fire Barely Move Left

Nudge threw her arms around my neck. 'I love you Max! I love all of us too!'Yeah, me too,' Said the Gasman. 'I don't care if we have our house, or a cliff ledge, or a cardboard box. Home is wherever we all are, together. By James Patterson Nudge Neck Yeah Max Threw

Angel?" I said. "Baby penguins eat a regurgitated mixture of partially digested fish, krill, and an oily substance form their fathers' stomachs. Are you willing to eat a bunch of raw fish and krill, and then barf it back up into a baby penguin's cute, cheeping mouth? Like, every hour?" Sometimes my crushing logic astounds even me. By James Patterson Angel Baby Krill Eat Fish

Beyond the field my eyes studied a long wall of pine trees, a windbreak of sorts that stretched from the road back toward an old farmhouse and an older barn surrounded by low brush. Through the binoculars, I could just make out the top of Carney's Impala parked in the side yard by the house. From a long way off you could see that the white house paint was blistered or gone to bare clapboard. The roof of the barn looked like it had been hit by lightning at some point. There was a charred, gaping hole on one corner. The whole structure sagged left. By James Patterson Trees Brush Long Field Eyes

He's wearing a dog tag. His name is Henry Webb. His unit is called BLM." "What does it mean?" "Black Like Me. A solidarity movement, I suppose. By James Patterson Tag Webb Wearing Dog Blm

worked in New York my whole life - actually lived only about twenty blocks away - and had never even heard of this place, or the Freedom Tunnel, for that matter. This city never failed to surprise. Hamster got out of the car, his big eyes blinking through the tangled gray mop of his hair as he looked around. We listened to the cooing of pigeons nesting in the crevices of the raised roadbed above as we waited. By James Patterson Tunnel York Freedom Worked Life

I hoped I wasn't actually dead. That would make finding our parents and saving the world really hard. By James Patterson Dead Hoped Hard Make Finding

Generally I find that kids ask better questions than you get with adults. Something that kids will do a lot is, they're so nervous, and they're not really paying attention, so they'll ask the same question someone just asked. And you're trying to be nice and not embarrass them any more than they are already. By James Patterson Kids Generally Adults Find Questions

Unfortunately, every time someone said "debriefing," the entire flock had one image: someone's tighty-whities disappearing in a flash. We were smothering our giggles, but it was getting harder. Coupled with the whole "naval this, and naval that," with its undeniable belly-button connotations, we were essentially turning into a sugar-jacked, sleep-deprived flock of incoherent, silly, recombinant-DNA goofballs. This was not going to end well. By James Patterson Debriefing Image Flash Time Entire

With all due respect, Jacobi, that's a load of bull. It was bad, but I handled it. That's what the job is. I hardly have a scratch on me. So stop treating me like a victim. I'm fully functional and absolutely sane. This is my case and I'm on it. OK? OK? By James Patterson Jacobi Respect Bull Due Load

I must say, girlfriend, you had much better taste than I ever gave you credit for," Coco said to the corpse. "When it came right down to it, after a brief inventory of your wardrobe, I see you had the money and you spent it reasonably well. And from the bottom of my heart? You are beautiful even in death. Brava, my dear. Brava. By James Patterson Coco Girlfriend Corpse Brava Taste

Sighing, she gave a brief nod. "I was supposed to win. I was supposed to finish you off. They never counted on you winning. And then you didn't kill me. It was awful.""You're welcome," I said, feeling fresh anger ignite. "I'll try not to humiliate you by letting you live next time."(Max II to Max) By James Patterson Sighing Nod Supposed Gave Max

A classroom . People trying to stick me in classrooms was becoming as predictable and annoying as people trying to kill me, but with less-fun results. By James Patterson People Results Stick Predictable Annoying

Quivering, as if she couldn't decide whether to laugh or frown. I love my mom, and I have no idea how she can find Rafe funny. It must be a gene I missed. "So, are you two excited for your first day?" Mom asked. Changing the subject. Nicely done, Mom. "I can't wait," Rafe and I said together. Only his voice clearly meant "I can wait," while my voice meant "I'm so excited that I'm about to explode! By James Patterson Quivering Mom Frown Rafe Decide

Jeez, was that a lion? Please tell me it's behind bars.""It's a zoo, Iggy," Nudge said, taking his arms and leading him. "Everything's behind bars. By James Patterson Jeez Iggy Lion Nudge Bars

The world was becoming a zoo, without cages. By James Patterson Zoo Cages World

For me, "Zoo" has always been a fable. It has nothing to do with realism. It's a fable about what man is doing to the world, and the animals have retribution. But in the real world, this would not happen. But in the world of 1984, this kind of thing can happen in a story. By James Patterson Zoo World Fable Happen Realism

Save a life, and your path will always have light. By James Patterson Save Life Light Path

Oh, I guess I want to fall in love, to stay in love for a while. I want to feel real romance every day that I possibly can. I want to feel something special in my life. I want to experience intimacy with another person. I'm not that different from everyone else. Except that I act instead of daydream. By James Patterson Love Guess Fall Stay Feel

The case of Cecily Chandler is a perfect example of how privileged people get over on the system," the young man said. "Harry Chandler had a famous defense attorney for a lawyer, a slick talker who probably played tennis with the judge. By James Patterson Cecily Chandler System Case Perfect

I can see why you, sir, are the champ. You bully without regard to race, religion, creed, national origin, or physical abilities. You are an equal-opportunity tormentor. By James Patterson Sir Champ Religion Creed Race

I talked some more, let my tongue wag, let my mind run free, and it felt pretty good. It's a wonderful thing to have somebody in your life whom you can say absolutely anything to. Not to have that is almost unthinkable to me. By James Patterson Wag Free Good Talked Tongue

That's me, by the way, arriving at "prison" - also known as Hills Village Middle School - in By James Patterson Prison School Hills Village Middle

If the White House could do more to tell parents that getting children reading is their business too, we'd see a big difference. Hollywood and the NBA or NFL could step in, too. In England they have an event called Book Day, where every child receives a pound to use at any bookstore. By James Patterson White House Difference Parents Children

down with Bart for a few hours and sleep as best I could. Chapter 12 I was as tired as I could ever remember being as I pulled the station wagon up the narrow driveway and came to a stop twenty-five feet from my front door. I liked my simple house with two bedrooms and an attic a hobbit couldn't fit in. My front porch light was on a timer and illuminated the pathway, but the inside was pitch-black. That wasn't good. I always left one light on in my kitchen. Normally, I could see it through the front window, and it cast a little light across the whole house. I didn't want Bart walking into a wall in the dark. Someone had turned it off. The only defense I had was my Navy knife, which I dug out of my front pocket and flipped open. I use it as a tool, but its original purpose was as a weapon. The door was still locked, and I wondered if By James Patterson Front Bart Light Hours Sleep

If you're going to look back onsomething and laugh about it, you might as well laughabout it now.Things are almost never as bad as they first seem.Loosen up, girlfriend! By James Patterson Girlfriend Back Onsomething Laugh Laughabout

Why do things this beautiful make me want to cry?" I asked Michael as I leaned into him. It was an unguarded question, one I'd never have asked of Hugh."I don't know," said Michael. "Maybe beauty, true beauty, is so overwhelming, it goes straight to our hearts. Maybe it makes us feel emotions that are locked away inside. By James Patterson Michael Cry Things Beautiful Beauty

Mom and Bear got into a big fight that afternoon when she told him what had happened. He kept yelling about how she wasn't "hard enough" on me, and she kept telling him to back off. I just stayed in my room, wishing for it to be over. Finally, Mom said something about how she was late for work, and she slammed the door on her way out. By James Patterson Bear Mom Happened Big Fight

You know how some kids get excited about the first day of school and have an outfit all picked out and a new lunch box and stuff? Well, they're bleeping idiots.Can we play hooky?" Iggy muttered as he scrambled eggs.Somehow I suspect they're picky about that," I said, dropping more bread into the toaster. "I bet they'd call Anne."I look like prep school Barbie," Nudge complained, as she entered the kitchen. She caught sight of me in my uniform and looked mollified. "Actually, you look like prep school Barbie. I'm just Barbie's friend."I narrowed my eyes at her. By James Patterson Barbie School Stuff Kids Excited

The next morning, Mom set two plates of scrambled eggs in front of me and Georgia and then sat down to watch us eat. She loves to watch us eat, which I totally don't get. I mean, she works at a diner. She watches people eat all day long. By James Patterson Mom Georgia Watch Eat Morning

A Poem By Maximum RideHow does one describe freedom,How can one call themselves free,How does one sleep at night knowing all the troubles that lay ahead,If one had a choice to be free or have freedom what does one pick,How does one even begin to describe the choices of being free,Freedom is choice,Freedom is happiness,Freedom is doing what you want,Freedom is to fly. By James Patterson Describe Poem Maximum Fly Ridehow

Mirror, mirror on the wall, I am my mother after all. By James Patterson Mirror Wall Mother

Stevie Kosgrov recently enjoyed a bowl of Fruity Pebbles (with milk that had hit its expiration date, oh, maybe a month ago). By James Patterson Pebbles Kosgrov Fruity Stevie Date

It's funny how different people are. If I'd been this kid and someone was snarling "Ordering a pizza?" at me, without even thinking, I would have snarled back "Yeah. You want pepperoni?"-Maximum Ride By James Patterson Yeah Ordering Funny People Maximum

Ari felt like, Hellooo, I have wings! I turn into a wolf! Blending is out is out of the question! By James Patterson Hellooo Ari Wings Felt Wolf

The whole flock is helping to raise her, with Total insisting on French lessons and Nudge making sure she doesn't look like a cave girl (even though we pretty much live in caves). But it's only Fang who spends as much time with her as I do, Fang who patiently teaches the fascinating facts his photographic brain remembers from all those fat books I shunned in school. Fang, because he's her father. By James Patterson Total French Nudge Fang Girl

The weird, weird thing about devastating loss is that life actually goes on. When you're faced with a tragedy, a loss so huge that you have no idea how you can live through it, somehow, the world keeps turning, the seconds keep ticking. By James Patterson Weird Loss Thing Devastating Life

Somebody said the key to life is to work hard, play hard, rest hard, and I've pretty much adopted that. By James Patterson Hard Play Rest Key Life

Seize the moment, however worried you may be about what's coming next. It's your brain, it's your life, it's your attitude ... . Go out there and fill up with sights, sounds, and ideas that are bigger than yourself. By James Patterson Seize Moment Worried Coming Brain

A small, weak part that just wanted to be a little girl again, with a family that wasn't sick and broken. But that sure wasn't going to happen, was it? By James Patterson Small Weak Broken Part Wanted

I know where The List is-my father has taken me to see it many times. Maybe for just this reason. And I know what it is: The List of Alien Outlaws on Terra Firma. And I know who I am: Daniel, son of Graff, son of Terfdon- The Alien Hunter. No last name, just Daniel X. By James Patterson List Times Alien Daniel Son

Look, we're trying to explore other options to your retirement," the whitecoat said. "You might be useful to us in other ways."Because we're not that useful dead,"Nudge said thoughtfully.No," I agreed. "Well, maybe as doorstops."The whitecat made an "eew" expression.Or those things in a parking lot that show where the cars should stop," suggested Iggy. He closed his eyes and went stiff, to demonstrate what it would look like. Also an option. By James Patterson Retirement Explore Whitecoat Nudge Iggy

We know," Nudge said apologetically. "It's just - she's going to make sweet potatoes with raisins and little marshmallows on top. By James Patterson Nudge Apologetically Top Make Sweet

I called for back up," Nudge said. "The police, fire department, paramedics, and a few different pizza delivery places are all on their way. By James Patterson Nudge Paramedics Called Back Police

Dear God," said Nudge under her breath, "I want real parents. But I want them to want me too. I wantthem to love me. I already love them. Please see what you can do. Thanks very much. Love, Nudge."Okay, so I'm not saying we were pros at this or anything. (Max thoughts) By James Patterson God Nudge Dear Breath Parents

Nudge: You aren't dead.Iggy (irritably): No. You aren't dead either. How about just 'hello'? By James Patterson Nudge Irritably Deadiggy Dead

What test?" Asked Nudge."Max, you're incorruptible.""Only by power." I said. "You haven't tried chocolate yet. By James Patterson Max Test Nudge Asked Incorruptible

I want to be a scientist who studies the ocean when I grow up. I would go out to sea, and scuba dive, and find new things, and National Geographic will hire me.Sure, Nudge. Probably around the time I become president. By James Patterson Nudge Scientist Studies Ocean Grow

You have terminated me," one of them said in a strange, flat voice. "But Iam one of many.""Robots!" Iggy breathed, taking Total from Angel."One of many, one of many, one of many," the robot Eraser was saying. NowNudge saw the red light in its eyes, saw how they were fading and winking out."Good!" spat the Gasman, kicking it hard. "Because we like to blow stuff up,blow stuff up, blow stuff up! By James Patterson Strange Flat Voice Stuff Terminated

Why aren't crazy people content to take over, like, one town? It always has to be the whole word. They can't just control maybe twenty people. The have to control everyone. The can't just be stinking rich. The can't just do genetic experiments on a couple unlucky few. They have to put something in the water. In the air. To get everyone.I was tired of all of it. By James Patterson Town Crazy Content People Control

Jeb climbed the ladder Fang had just lowered and I indulged in a moments fantasy about someone slamming the trapdoor on his head.-max By James Patterson Max Fang Jeb Head Climbed

Kids don't read as much as you'd like them to, just in terms of seeing the world from different perspectives. I mean, that's the great thing about books, still. Here's television, here are the movies, and it's pretty limited in terms of the perspectives. By James Patterson Kids Terms Perspectives Read World

You don't want to be anywhere near one of our battles. I don't even want to be near our battles. Unfortunately, the evil idiots usually don't give me a choice. - By James Patterson Battles Choice Evil Idiots Give

I choose you," he said very softly, "Max."Then his hard, rough hand tenderly cuppoed my chin, and suddenly his mouth was on mine, and every synapse in my brain shorted out.We had kissed a couple of times before, but this was different. This time, I squelched my immediate, overwhelming desire to run away screaming. I closed my eyes and put my arms around him despite my fear. Then somehow we slid sideways so we were lying in the cool sand. I was holding him fiercely, and he was kissing me fiercely, and it was ... just so, so intensely good. Once I got past my usual, gut-wrenching terror, there was a long, sweet slide into mindlessness, when all I felt was Fang, and all I heard was his breathing, and all I could think was "Oh, God, I want to do this all the time. By James Patterson Max Softly Hard Rough Chin

Why did she do this to me?" I mumble. "Actually, Samuel, from my preliminary scans of your internal organs, it does not appear that our mother has done anything to you. Were you in need of repair as well? If so, I am certain she will - By James Patterson Samuel Mumble Organs Preliminary Scans

Popcorn for breakfast! Why not? It's a grain. It's like, like, grits, but with high self-esteem. By James Patterson Popcorn Breakfast Grits Grain Selfesteem

Dr. Cross, please come! Please! Dr. Cross the loud shouts continued. I didn't recognize the woman's voice, but privacy doesn't seem to count when your first name is Doctor. By James Patterson Cross Doctor Continued Voice Loud

Max - you have a bigger mission than finding the flock's parents. Focus on helping the whole world,not just your friends.I held my wings steady, coasting for a long, long way on a warm updraft. It was like floating on acloud, the best feeling you can imagine. I wish you could try it with me. Maybe next time.You know, Voice, I thought finally, my friends are my world. By James Patterson Max Parents Bigger Mission Finding

You don't speak much, do you?" ter Borcht said, circling him slowly.Fittingly, Fang said nothing.Vhy do you let a girl be de leader?" ter Borcht asked, a calculating look in his eye.She's the tough one," Fang said.Dang right, I thought proudly.Is dere anysing special about you?" asked ter Borcht. "Anysing vorth saving?"Fang pretended to think, gazing up at the ceiling. "Besides my fashion sense? I play a mean harmonica. By James Patterson Borcht Fang Ter Asked Anysing

I'm not Stubborn; I'm right! By James Patterson Stubborn

Now I have a shot at being the Planet's Funniest Kid Comic. "The planet Earth?" asks Phineas of - you guessed it - Phineas and Ferb. "Or Mars? We built a portal to Mars for the science fair once. By James Patterson Comic Funniest Kid Planet Phineas

Do we have any chlorine? It seems to be kind of explosive when mixed with other stuff.""Like what, your socks? No, we don't have chlorine. No swimming pool. By James Patterson Chlorine Stuff Socks Kind Explosive

My anxiety level was rising pretty fast now. Visits with the FBI can do that to you, I guess. I'd had bad experiences with them before. Ironically, so had Kit. They're good people, mostly, but something got screwed up along the way. I guess that's what happen when J. Edgar Hoover is your daddy. Talk about the road to perdition. By James Patterson Anxiety Level Rising Pretty Fast

Marty, my mother used to say "Never get greedy with God." I think what she meant was "Don't dare ask for more if you already have what you need." By James Patterson Marty God Mother Greedy Meant

Max!' Nudge cried, rushing over to hug me. Her thin arms gripped me tight, and I hugged her back, scratching her wings where they joined her shoulders, the way she liked. 'We were so worried - I didn't know what had happened to you, and we didn't know what to do, and Fang said we going to eat rats, and - ''Okay, okay. Everything's okay,' I told her. I met Fang's eyes over her shoulder and mouthed rats? silently. A flicker of a grin crossed his lips and then was gone. By James Patterson Max Fang Rats Nudge Cried

Dr. Martinez: "I take it you don't want me to call your parent?"Max: "Uh, no." Hello, lab? May I speak to the test tube please? By James Patterson Max Martinez Parent Lab Call

I did know that the book would end with a mind-boggling trial, but I didn't know exactly how it would turn out. I like a little suspense when I am writing, too. By James Patterson Trial Book End Mindboggling Turn

There's nothing more annoying than cold logic and reason when you've got a good fit going. By James Patterson Annoying Cold Logic Reason Good

Life is fun. Enjoy the ride! By James Patterson Life Fun Enjoy Ride

I love you, i love your smile your snarl your grin, your face when your sleeping.I love your hair streaming behind you as we fly, with the sunlight making it shine, if it doesn't have too much mud or blood in it, I love seeing your wings spreading out, white and brown and tan and speckled, and the tiny downy feathers right at the top of your shoulders. I love your eyes, whether they're cold or calculating or suspicious or laughing or warm, like when you look at me. By James Patterson Love Grin Fly Shine White

He could totally be your boyfriend," [Angel] went on with annoying persistance. "You guys could get married. I could be like a junior bridesmaid. Total could be your flower dog.""I'm only a kid!" I shrieked. "I can't get married!""You could in New Hampshire."My mouth dropped open. How does she know this stuff? "Forget it! No one's getting married!" I hissed. "Not in New Hampshire or anywhere else! Not in a box, not with a fox! Now go to sleep, before I kill you! By James Patterson Angel Married Boyfriend Persistance Totally

The eight-year-old beat your best cadet in hand-to-hand combat?" "So did the six-year-old girl, ma'am. Actually, she beat the instructor also. By James Patterson Combat Cadet Beat Girl Maam

Remember what I said at the very beginning? Now, I'm giving you a choice: You can put the book down now - but you'll just have some of the story. Look other places for more of it. Dig even deeper, and you could become part of it. The web of answers is out there. If you can find the portal. Be careful. And don't say I didn't warn you. Max By James Patterson Remember Beginning Choice Story Giving

Sundown had bloodied the horizon over the uneven rooftops of South Boston. Birds were perched on every roof and seemed to be watching the girl walking slowly below. - Cradle and All By James Patterson Boston South Sundown Bloodied Horizon

I knew my transformation was complete when Dr.Keyes asked, "How are you feeling today, Tandy?" and I responded "I'm not By James Patterson Tandy Asked Today Responded Knew

Throughout the open space, and a two-story fireplace. The bedrooms all have mountain vistas, and the patio has a multimillion-dollar view of a great, green, tree-studded lawn. Edmund Washburn, a big teddy bear of a man, had fired up the By James Patterson Space Fireplace Open Twostory Green

And he was probably right. Unless Hills Village Middle School had a witness protection program, I was dead meat. Man, I hated Miller. By James Patterson Man Miller Hills Village Middle

Roadway. We didn't stop at the house, but instead rounded the corner and stopped a block away. Stepping out and By James Patterson Roadway House Stepping Stop Rounded

Now, I don't know if you can appreciate this without actually knowing her, but getting Mrs. Stricker to laugh is like getting an octopus to stand up on two legs. By James Patterson Mrs Stricker Legs Knowing Laugh

In this family, we always celebrate each other's birthdays. I don't care if you're four or fourteen or forty and scattered around the world. We gotta stick by each other, okay? And meals- as long as you live under the same roof, you have at least one meal a day together. I don't care if it's a dreaded hot dog in front of the dastardly TV as long as you're all there. -Maeve Bennett By James Patterson Family Birthdays Celebrate Care Long

If I never had another thing, Id have everything. By James Patterson Thing

The instructor stared at me with cold, cut-me-no-slack determination, then got into a fighting stance, holding one hand out, beckoning me."I saw that movie too!"I said."It was like the coolest movie of all-"He launched himself at me.That was when his day really went downhill. By James Patterson Determination Cold Stance Holding Beckoning

Hey. Not sure what's going on-gonna go find out. Be careful and don't do anything stupid. Don't come after me-your better on your own. See you. FI sat on the edge of the bed, holding the note.Okay, so Fang had looked up vague in the dictionary and this was what it had said to write. By James Patterson Hey Fang Ongonna Find Stupid

You can help each other, Max, said the unwelcome voice. You're perfect complements to each other. "Shut up!" I hissed under my breath, and Dylan looked startled."I didn't say anything."Gritting my teeth, I nodded. "No, I know. It's just-" I decided to take a risk and stare him down. "I hear voices, okay? If you're gonna be here, get used to it. Or else keep your distance. By James Patterson Max Unwelcome Shut Gritting Dylan

Well, it's like I have a GPS inside me," I told them. "One of the talking ones. I tell it where I want to go, and it tells me, Go twenty miles, turn left, take Exit Ninety-fourm and so one. It can be pretty bossy, frankly.Their eyes widened. "Really?" said one.No you idiot," I said in disgust. "I don't know how it works. I just know it has an unfailing ability to point me in the opposite direction of a bunch of boneheads. By James Patterson Gps Inside Told Exit Ninetyfourm

Okay, if this is what falling in love feels like, someone please kill me now. (Not literally, overzealousreaders.) But it was all too much - too much emotion, too much happiness, too much longing, perhapstoo much ice cream ... By James Patterson Falling Love Feels Kill Overzealousreaders

How about you, Rafe?" she asked when Georgia finally took a breath. "What do you think of middle school so far?" "Well," I said, "it's not as bad as I thought it was going to By James Patterson Rafe Georgia Breath Asked Finally

And so now, under a Colorado sky so blue it hurt my eyes, we arrived at the terrible truth. You can plot your escape, you can ditch your life and your family, and you can race down a two-lane highway in a stolen car. But there are things you can never out run By James Patterson Colorado Eyes Truth Sky Blue

Never underestimate the power of funny, it moves mountains. By James Patterson Funny Mountains Underestimate Power Moves

Her eyes, they shone like diamonds I thought her the queen of the land And her hair, it hung over her shoulder Tied up with a black velvet band. By James Patterson Tied Eyes Hair Band Shone

He nuzzled my neck, inhaling deeply. "Mmm. You smell so good.""Oh, yeah," I said, smirking. "I call this new perfume 'Le Jungle grime et tropical BO.' ""Dirt and sweat. Very sexy. By James Patterson Mmm Neck Inhaling Deeply Nuzzled

What was premeditated murder if not calculated leverage? By James Patterson Leverage Premeditated Murder Calculated

aunt Bela would be most pleased." "Wait a second," I said. "You know Bela Kilgore?" The man in the fez smiled. "Oh, yes, Kidd By James Patterson Bela Aunt Pleased Wait Kidd

We kissed and pressed against each other and it seemed as if we were merging, getting closer and closer. I loved the touch of her mouth against mine, the feel of her body, the way we fit. We were both strong, and yet we could be gentle together. I passionately believe in soul mates. I guess I always have. The best thing I had ever done in my life was to be in love. I missed it and was finally ready to love again. By James Patterson Closer Merging Kissed Pressed Love

Is it possible that you can love someone more than you love life itself, and yet you're still never going to know for sure everything he's thinking? By James Patterson Thinking Love Life

What do you talk about to a murderer, and someone you loved, over a perfect dinner and cocktails? I wanted to know so many things, but I couldn't ask any of the real-questions pounding in my head. Instead, we talked of the coming vacation days, a "plan" for the here and now in the islands. By James Patterson Murderer Loved Cocktails Talk Perfect

If you're not reading - with your heart as well as your brain - you will be one stupid grown up. Even worst, you'll be missing out on one of the best experiences you can possibly have. Nowhere will you meet more interesting people than in books. By James Patterson Reading Brain Heart Stupid Grown

Dropping the phone, I trudged out the front door of my house, left it open to the wind of a coming storm. I walked in a state of total shock through the streets of Washington, alternately catatonic and then overwhelmed by grief, sobbing my heart out. People who passed me on the sidewalks seemed creatures from another lifetime. Their laughter was like some foreign language I'd never understand again. By James Patterson Dropping Phone House Left Storm

We would get to study you, frankly, said a tall, lean man who, I kid you not, looked just like Bill Nye the Science Guy. By James Patterson Frankly Guy Bill Nye Science

I stared at her in amazement. "How do you even live with yourself?" ... "You're willing to sell children to a foreign government so they can be used as weapons, possibly against other Americans. I don't get it. Were you hiding behind a door on morals and ethics day? ... You couldn't mother someone if they shot five gallons of estrogen into your veins. By James Patterson Amazement Stared Americans Live Weapons

In my office in Florida I have, I think, 30 manuscript piles around the room. Some are screenplays or comic books or graphic novels. Some are almost done. Some I'm rewriting. If I'm working with a co-writer, they'll usually write the first draft. And then I write subsequent drafts. By James Patterson Florida Manuscript Room Office Piles

If life gives you lemons, learn how to juggle. By James Patterson Lemons Learn Juggle Life

What was fang going to do BLOG about max throwing herself into space so she wouldn't have to kiss him again? NO instead he smashed his fist against the cave wall then grimaced at the pain and stupidity seeing his bloodied knuckles By James Patterson Blog Fang Max Throwing Space

Oh no! Don't drag us away from Antartica and take us to the playground of the rich and famous! Not that briar patch! -Max By James Patterson Max Antartica Famous Patch Drag

Yuki-eh, you must learn to be a lady.I don't think I ever quite learned to do that. I liked my music loud. My skirts short - I know, Mommy, even this one is too short! She wanted me to marry a lawyer - instead, I became one. By James Patterson Yukieh Learn Ladyi Learned Short

They turned to Angel. "We will call you Little One," the leader said, obviously deciding to dispense with the whole confusing name thing."Okay," said Angel agreeably. "I'll call you Guy in a White Lab Coat." He frowned."That can be his Indian name," I suggested. By James Patterson Angel Turned Call Coat Guy

Anger, hatred, and bitterness are lethal poisons. They cause a slow, painful emotional death that only you suffer. Self-destruction will never defeat an enemy or create justice. By James Patterson Anger Hatred Poisons Bitterness Lethal

Tara McLellan, who these men have been convicted of killing, was a colleague of mine and a very close family friend. By James Patterson Tara Mclellan Killing Friend Men

I wasn't kidding about the flying-kids part. Or the talking-dog part.Anyone who's up to speed on the Adventures of Amazing Max and Her Flying, Fun-Loving Cohorts, you can skip this next page or so. Those of you who picked up this book cold, even thought it's clearly part three of the series, well, get with the program, people! I can't take two days to get you caught up on everything! Here's the abbreviated version (which is pretty, I might add):A bunch of mad scientists (mad crazy not mad angry- though a lot of them seem to have anger-management issues, especially around me) have been playing around with recombinant life-forms, where they graft different species' DNA together. By James Patterson Kidding Flyingkids Part Flying Cohorts

Some kids get called 'bundles of joy' or 'slices of heaven' or 'dreams come true.' We got 'the fifty-fourth generation of DNA experiments.' Doesn't have the same warm and fuzzy feel. But maybe I'm oversensitive. By James Patterson Called Bundles Joy Slices Heaven

Then the sun broke through for good and shone down on the giant white statue of Jesus that looked over virtually all of Rio from the summit of Corcovado Mountain. In the prior two months, I'd seen the statue from dozens of vantage points, but never like this, from a police helicopter hovering at the figure's eye level two hundred and fifty feet away, close enough for me to understand the immensity of the statue and its simple, graceful lines. I am a lapsed Catholic, but I tell you, I got chills up and down my spine. "That's incredible," I said as the helicopter By James Patterson Mountain Statue Jesus Rio Corcovado

It's hard to believe, but before manufacturing went to Asia, New York City was an industrial powerhouse. In the thirties and forties, seventy-five percent of women's clothes in the country were made right here between Sixth and Ninth Avenues, from Forty-Second down to Thirtieth. They were stitched up and put on racks and then rolled over to Macy's on Thirty-Fourth for sale. Everything was centered around Penn Station, so people from out of town could come in and shop. The garment district here is why New York's fashion industry still leads the world and Seventh Avenue means fashion. By James Patterson Asia City York Powerhouse Hard

Detective Lincoln knocked, said, "McGrath had serious encryption on his computer. We're going to have to send it out." "Send it to Quantico," I said. "I'll try to get it moved to the front of the line." "Right away," Lincoln said, and he left. By James Patterson Detective Knocked Mcgrath Computer Send

That's because I'm a better person, frankly. I am a freaking princess when it comes to other people's feelings. By James Patterson Frankly Person Feelings Freaking Princess

I'm a freaking princess when it comes to other people's feelings. Yo dogbreath, get your paws of the everglades. -Max By James Patterson Max Feelings Freaking Princess People

Keep your head down, try to blend in, and don't get on anyone's bad side. You've already seen what I look like, so you can probably guess which one I chose. As soon as I got to homeroom, I went straight for the back row and sat as far from the teacher's desk as possible. There was just one problem with that plan, and his name was Miller. Miller By James Patterson Side Miller Head Blend Bad

That's more than three questions, Max. And sometimes wheter someone is your friend or enemy is all in how you look at it. But if you must know, I consider myself your friend, a good friend who loves you very much. No one Loves you more than I do, Maximum. Now listen. I ask the questions here, not you. You're just here for the ride. For the incredible, indescribable Maximum Ride. By James Patterson Max Friend Loves Maximum Ride

They were my parents. Dead. They died in their bed under freakish circumstances three months ago, leaving my brothers and me devastated and bankrupt. By James Patterson Parents Dead Ago Leaving Bankrupt

Max, you can change your mind." His voice was like autumn leaves droppinglightly onto the ground."I don't know how."Then my throat felt tight, and I rubbed my fists against my eyes. I droppedmy face onto my arms, crossed over my knees. This sucked! I wanted to be backwith the oth-Fang's hand gently smoothed my hair off my neck. My breath froze in mychest, and every sense seemed hyperalert. His hand stroked my hair again, sosoftly, and then trailed across my neck and shoulder and down my back, makingme shiver.I looked up. "What the heck are you doing?""Helping you change your mind," he whispered, and then he leaned over,tilted my chin up, and kissed me. By James Patterson Max Mind Change Hair Neck

She had a crooked nose and a pointy chin with a huge mole that had wiry black hairs growing out of it. Heck, if the New Order was really looking to arrest witches ... By James Patterson Crooked Nose Pointy Chin Huge

When I wanted information, it was silent; when I didn't want to hear from it, it got chatty. It was alost as irritating as Fang. By James Patterson Information Silent Chatty Wanted Hear

Iggy: Now what? Who you gonna call?A quiet voice in the hallway outside: Ghostbusters!(Captain Perry and John groan)John: That phrase is ruined forever. By James Patterson Iggy Ghostbusters John Captain Perry

Who ya gonna call?" "Ghostbusters!" "That phrase is ruined forever. By James Patterson Ghostbusters Call Gonna Forever Phrase

They are almost directly above him. He closes his eyes and listens to their laughter upstairs. They are in love, he thinks, or at least they sound like it. His heart is pounding. He is here, and they don't know it. That is special all by itself - they think they're sharing something intimate, but he gets to be a part of it. By James Patterson Directly Upstairs Closes Eyes Listens

Fang is not the huggiest person in the world - he turns into an unbending statue, and you just have to do the best you can. Which By James Patterson Fang World Statue Huggiest Person

Fang? Are you- like Max?" asked Dr. Martinez. "Nope,"he said, sounding bored. "I'm the smart one." I resisted the urge to kick him in the shin. By James Patterson Fang Nope Max Martinez Asked

Ce n'est pas fini jusqu'a ce que je dis c'est fini," Rampling called out. "It's not over until I say it's over. By James Patterson Rampling Fini Nest Pas Jusqua

I won't lie to you - it was hilarious. Yes, we were in trouble, yes, this was a disaster, and so one and so forth, but I have to say, seeing those upturned faces, the looks, was bout the best thing that happened to us since we'd come to New York. By James Patterson Hilarious Lie York Trouble Disaster

Man, you weigh a freaking ton," he told me. "What've you been eating, rocks?" "Why, is your head missing some?" I croaked. His mouth almost quirked in a smile, and that's when I knew how upset he'd been By James Patterson Man Ton Rocks Weigh Freaking

I muttered a swear word to myself. After I heard Angel cussing like a sailor when she stubbed her toe, my new resolution was to watch my language. All I needed was a six-year-old mutant with a potty mouth By James Patterson Muttered Swear Word Angel Toe

The Dick tells us that Denny once worked on some arson cases, but I'd wager a mortgage payment that those cases took place when you created fire by rubbing two sticks together so you could cook the stegosaurus you killed with a spear and dragged back to the cave. By James Patterson Dick Denny Cases Cave Worked

When I was growing up, my mom used to tell my sister and me about a leprechaun with a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow. But she never mentioned a Russian Neanderthal with a bag of diamonds at the end of a bloody trail in a train station By James Patterson End Rainbow Growing Mom Sister

With my adult books, for the first six weeks or so, it's about 60 percent ebooks in terms of sales. The kids' books, it's like 5 percent. Which means that the parents, the ones that aren't going into stores now, they're no longer buying books for their kids, which is not great. By James Patterson Percent Sales Books Adult Weeks

we have a Gene-IE to grant us wishes," he said. Darlene brushed past in her white coat. To my surprise, Eliza was at the computer desk behind the lab door and looked up at me. "You took your time," she said with a glint in her green eyes. "Leaving us to do all the work." I had an overwhelming urge to hug her, which I didn't fight. She responded very tightly, then slowly broke away. "What are you doing standing By James Patterson Wishes Geneie Grant Eliza Leaving

I learnt to love reading. And then I started scribbling stories, and I liked that even more. By James Patterson Reading Learnt Love Stories Started

Pale-gray rug. Several pieces of chrome-and-black-leather By James Patterson Palegray Rug Pieces

Harden your heart. By James Patterson Harden Heart

One of the nice things about books as opposed to television and movies to some extent is it's not a passive entertainment. People really do get involved, and they do create, and they do have their own visions of what different characters look like and what should happen. It's great - it means their brains are working. By James Patterson Entertainment Nice Things Books Opposed

There was something I needed to say. "Sorry. About before."Fang shot a sideways glance at me, his eyes dark and inscrutable, as always. He looked back out at the water. I didn't expect any more acknowledgment than that. Fang never-"You almost gave me a heart attack," he said quietly. "When I saw you, and all that blood ... " He threw a small rock as hard as he could down the beach."I'm sorry.""Don't do it again," he said.I swallowed hard. "I won't."Something changed right then, but I didn't know what. By James Patterson Fang Needed Hard Before Inscrutable

Isn't it funny how just changing your location changes your perspective? By James Patterson Perspective Funny Changing Location

Here's what I was thinking about:1.Who the new threat was 2.The air show in Mexico City 3.How to get Total to quit milking his injury, because enough was enough 4. My mom and Half sister Ella 5.Fang 6.Fang 7.Fang By James Patterson City Mexico Total Air Injury

Just because life is hard, and always ends in a bad way, doesn't mean that all stories have to, even if that's what they tell us in school and in the New York Times Review. In fact, it's a good thing that stories are as different as we are, one from another. By James Patterson Review York Times Hard Stories

This was the weird, scary stuff Denny and Mitch lived for. Every afternoon, they would gather up their papers to sell and hoof it over to the library to check the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) website for wherever rush-hour traffic was at its worst. Logjams were their meat. By James Patterson Denny Mitch Weird Scary Ddot

YOU COULD LOCK the Gasman in a padded cell with some dental floss and a bowl of Jell-O, and he'd find a way to make something to explode. By James Patterson Lock Gasman Jello Explode Padded

My invite must have gotten lost in the mail," she said venomously. "But I don't mind crashing this party.-Maximum Ride talking to Max II By James Patterson Mail Venomously Maximum Invite Lost

You know the pop is coming, but damn if it don't always surprise you. By James Patterson Coming Pop Damn Surprise

Uh-huh," I said. "Because all you mad, evil scientists sit around whipping up batches of Pillsbury's finest during your coffee breaks. I mean, this is pathetic. By James Patterson Uhhuh Pillsbury Mad Evil Breaks

Imagine life is a game in which you are juggling fiveballs. The balls are called work, family, health, friends,and integrity. And you're keeping all of them in the air.But one day you finally come to understand that work is arubber ball. If you drop it, it will bounce back. The otherfour balls-family, health, friends, integrity-are made ofglass. If you drop one of these, it will be irrevocablyscuffed, nicked, perhaps even shattered. And once you trulyunderstand the lesson of the five balls, you will have thebeginnings of balance in your life. By James Patterson Health Imagine Fiveballs Game Juggling

Here's a nice image for a life in balance," she said. "You're juggling these four balls that you've named work, family, friends, spirit. Now, work is a rubber ball. If you drop it, it bounces back. The other balls they're made of glass.""I've dropped a few of those glass balls in my day. Sometimes they chip, sometimes they shatter to pieces. By James Patterson Balance Balls Nice Image Life

pay somebody to go to school for me. By James Patterson Pay School

Why was the blind guy playing with matches, you ask? Because he's good at it. Anything to do with fire, igniting things, exploding things, things with fuses, wicks, accelerants ... Iggy's your man. It's one of those good/bad things. By James Patterson Things Matches Blind Guy Playing

Time to die.-Evil Angel By James Patterson Evil Angel Time Die

I grew up in a house full of women: my mother, grandmother, three sisters, and two female cats. And I still have the buzz of their conversations in my head. As an adult, I have more female friends than male ones: I just love the way that women talk. By James Patterson Grandmother Mother Sisters Cats Grew

I've been listening to how the Roman Empire fell and all I can say is, it didn't fall nearly fast enough!-Iggy By James Patterson Iggy Roman Empire Listening Fell

into the passenger seat, unable to forget the horror on Eliza's face as we broke into the coffin. Jack Morgan's intel had to be accurate. But I'd never be able to prove it. Mark Talbot had realized this was far bigger than any of us knew. Mary dropped me outside Private's building By James Patterson Eliza Seat Unable Coffin Passenger

I'm not comfortable in this stadium," I explained, trying to look calm."I know. And you hate Fang looking at those girls. But we're still havingfun, and Fang still loves you, and you'll still save the world. Okay? By James Patterson Stadium Explained Calm Fang Comfortable

My name is Daniel, and this is the first volume of my life story, which, hopefully, will be a very long and distinguished one. Who should you read it? Very good question. Maybe because this is your planet, and you have a right to know what's actually happening on it. By James Patterson Daniel Story Volume Life Long

I heard a horrible, stomach-turning crack that vibrated up my arms. Ari and I stared at each other in shock. "You really hurt me," he gasped rawly, terrible surprise in his voice. "I wouldn't hurt you. Not like this." Then his head flopped down, and Ari went totally limp. His By James Patterson Horrible Stomachturning Arms Heard Crack

The cell phone in my pocket went off. Shit! Damn it! Why do I carry these infernal gadgets? Why does anybody in their right mind need to constantly be on call? By James Patterson Shit Cell Phone Pocket Damn

Life is a test. It's all a test. Sometimes you have to get through it, and then later everything makes more sense. By James Patterson Test Life Sense Makes

You could have gotten a car with GPS," Total said helpfully.Yes," I said "Or we could have brought along a dog that doesn't talk." I gave Angel a pointed look, and she smiled, well, angelically, at me.Total huffed, offended at me and climbed into her lap ... By James Patterson Gps Total Helpfullyyes Talk Car

No one is going to admit it to you, but we're all miracles out here, every last one of us. By James Patterson Admit Miracles

The next forty-five minutes in that office was about as much fun as a day at Disney World - when it's pouring rain. And all there is to eat are hot-dog buns. And you get electrocuted on the rides. By James Patterson World Disney Rain Fortyfive Minutes

My eyes flickered when I heard the Voice inside my head. (You mean you don't have one? You can get 'em at Target.) By James Patterson Voice Head Eyes Flickered Heard

Three out of four voices inside my head say go for it. By James Patterson Voices Inside Head

Do you know how fast you were going?"Fang looked at the speedometer ... "No," he said truthfully. I tagged you at seventy miles per hour,"she said, pulling out a clipboard.I let out an impressed whistle. "Excellent! I never thought we'd be that fast." Fang shot me a look and I put my hand over my mouth. By James Patterson Speedometer Fang Looked Excellent Fast

Sometimes when you're at your most certain, that's when everything you know is wrong. By James Patterson Wrong

If you're ever feeling a lack of middle-aged white men, just pop into the Capitol. Not so much the House of Representatives, which has a bit more color and texture, but the Senate jeez. Yes, let's have more testosterone running the country.Maximum Ride, School's OutForever By James Patterson Capitol Men Feeling Lack Middleaged

It's too bad the word miracle has been overused, because I swear it's the only word that fit the feeling of holding my daughter in my arms. My heart swelled to the size of the world. By James Patterson Word Overused Arms Bad Miracle

The idea for Maximum Ride come from the earlier books of mine called When the Wind Blows and The Lake House, which also feature a character named Max who escapes from a quiet despicable school. Most of the similarities end there. Max and the other kids in Maximum Ride are not the same Max and kids featured in those two books. nor do Frannie and Kit play any part in Maximum Ride. I hope you enjoy the ride anyways. By James Patterson Maximum House Ride Max Wind

Cindy needed both hands on the wheel. She clicked off without leaving a message and tossed her phone back onto the passenger seat. Up ahead, Lake Street terminated at a T intersection. Cindy saw the Subaru take the left onto Arguello Boulevard toward the Presidio, and she followed the Outback into the turn too fast. Centrifugal force sent her handbag and cell phone off the passenger seat and onto the floor. By James Patterson Wheel Cindy Needed Hands Passenger

Jeb: But I need to tell you something first.Max (thinking): That you are the devil incarnate? By James Patterson Jeb Thinking Firstmax Incarnate Devil

Short, dark hair and strong shoulders. He had a handsome, intelligent By James Patterson Short Intelligent Dark Shoulders Hair

Did you ever hear the story of the man who walks past the mental hospital?" he said. "He can hear all the patients inside shouting, 'Thirteen! Thirteen! Thirteen!,' but the fence is too high for him to see what is going on. Then he spots a knothole in one of the planks. He looks through it, and bam - a stick pokes him in the eye, and he hears the inmates all shouting, 'Fourteen! Fourteen! Fourteen!'" He took a sip of his cocoa. "I mind my own business, Detectives. By James Patterson Thirteen Fourteen Hear Hospital Story

I'm gonna barf," I whispered to Fang,wiping my sweaty hands on my jeans.You'll be fine," he whipered back. "You always are.I'm gonna die," I moaned.You can't die," he said a hint of a smile in his voice."You're the indesructible Max. By James Patterson Fangwiping Barf Fine Back Die

Never fight fair, that's not how you win. Expect pain, expect to get hurt. And if you're surprised by the pain, you just lost. By James Patterson Fair Win Expect Pain Fight

Can I come in?No! I'm in a towel!I'm blind! By James Patterson Towel Blind

What?" says Kosgrov. "You think I won't lay you out just because you're stuck in a wheelchair, funny boy?" "Yeah," I say. "Pretty much." Turns out I'm pretty wrong. By James Patterson Kosgrov Yeah Pretty Wheelchair Funny

I'm way hot," he muttered. "But I don't feel sick. Just - way hot."Fang By James Patterson Hot Muttered Fang Sick Hot

Is that clear?" said Borcht "as clear as pea soup" I said By James Patterson Borcht Soup Clear Pea

Behind every successful woman, there's a big prick. By James Patterson Woman Prick Successful Big

me in bed - with a honeymoon present. Some of them were small, some were funny jokes, and some were extravagant, but every present came straight By James Patterson Bed Present Honeymoon Small Jokes

Iggy. This is not a democracy," I said,( ... )"It'sa Maxocracy. By James Patterson Iggy Itsa Maxocracy Democracy

My choices were to either give in and let them kill all of us or fight back with everything I had. I chose the second one, 'cause I'm just funny that way. By James Patterson Choices Give Kill Fight Back

Not saving you from this storm, mutant," he said. "Saving you for your later fate, we are."His voice was weirdly inflected and metallic, like an automated answering machine."Oh, good. Yoda captured us," Fang whispered. By James Patterson Mutant Saving Storm Good Fang

What's so funny 'bout peace, love, and world destruction? By James Patterson Love Funny Bout Peace Destruction

The funny thing about facing imminent death is that it really snaps everything else into perspective. By James Patterson Perspective Funny Thing Facing Imminent

So you have your price. Your soul for a cookie. By James Patterson Price Cookie Soul

I didn't care for most of the books I was being asked to read in school. I started reading like crazy right after high school when I got a job in a mental hospital. I was working my way through college, and I did a lot of night shifts, and there was nothing to do. So I read like crazy, serious stuff, all the classics. By James Patterson School Care Books Asked Crazy

The next day I picked up my electric guitar and amp at a tag sale. Grandma Dotty loves tag sales, and somehow she managed to bargain with the guy who was selling them, until we paid just three dollars By James Patterson Sale Sales Tag Day Picked

Just for fun I flew in huge banking arcs, taking deep breaths, enjoying the feel of my newly weightless hair. The stylist had called it "wind tossed."If only she knew. By James Patterson Arcs Taking Breaths Enjoying Hair

The guy who'd kissed me last week - that guy was gone. Sure, I'd rejected him, and sure, I didn't own him. But even so, it hurt. I missed the Richie who'd mooned over me. By James Patterson Guy Week Kissed Richie Hurt

When my son, Jack, was four, I had to make a trip to Los Angeles. I asked him if he was going to miss me. 'Not so much,' Jack told me. 'You're not going to miss me?' I said. Jack shook his head, and he said, 'Love means you can never be apart. By James Patterson Angeles Los Jack Son Miss

Steve turned to us again, looking so dang enthusastic that I wondered how much coffee he'd had this morning. "So, you kids want to be big stars, eh?"God, no!" I said spewing crumbs. "No way!"Oddly, this seemed to throw a petite wrench into the convo. By James Patterson Steve Morning God Turned Dang

Why can't you just get out of here and leave me alone?"i bellowed."i can't!" dylan shouted back,his face twisted with an anger i'd never seen from him."you can,"i said through gritted teeth."just point your wings that way and flap! By James Patterson Bellowed Dylan Him Teeth Flap

And Flock Rule Number Two is, Don't argue with Max or you'll live to regret it." I spun and stomped out to the clearing, turning back for one last jab at Dylan. "And by the way, you clearly DON'T know me better than Fang does. Do you see Fang arguing with me? No, you do not."Fang rolled his eyes. By James Patterson Flock Rule Number Max Fang

The door doesn't have a knob, just a latch held closed by a chain, another victim of Dede's shears. By James Patterson Dede Knob Chain Shears Door

People want us, or want us dead, because of what we are, not who we are. It's hard. By James Patterson People Dead Hard

I dropped my voice and stared into her eyes. I could tell she was trying hard not to look away. I was so furious I could have cheerfully ripped her head off. "But you're going to find out, Mom,' I said very softly."And it's gonna give you nightmares for the rest of your wasted life."Oh, my God, I was so badass. It was all I could do to not give a MWA HA HA! By James Patterson Eyes Dropped Voice Stared Give

FYI, car crashes kill way more kids than cancer does. Those crosses you see on the side of the highway, the little white ones hung with fading silk flowers? They're for people my age. ("People who were texting," my dad liked to remind me - because he never wanted to blame Budweiser for anything.) By James Patterson Fyi Car Crashes Kill Kids

Love between two people can last a long time if the people love themselves some, and are ready to give love to another person. By James Patterson Love Person People Long Time

I decided that every rule in the Hills Village Middle School Code of Conduct should be worth a certain number of points, depending on how hard it was to break. Of course, this meant I could get into some serious trouble, so I decided to make that worth a bunch of points too. By James Patterson Hills Village Middle School Code

But then we have to leave, have to. It's always been that way, and it will always be that way, Jane. That's just.. how it works By James Patterson Leave Jane Just Works

The media are right now in the process of doing millions upon millions of dollars' worth of free PR work for whoever is doing this. Such over-the-top, wall-to-wall coverage just sets the bar higher and higher each time for the nut jobs and terrorists to get everybody's attention. "Which means bigger explosions, more bodies, and more atrocities. They should take their cue from the baseball media, which nipped fan stupidity in the bud when they wisely decided to stop showing people who run onto the field." "So don't tell people there's terrorism? That's your solution?" said Brooklyn. "How about at least not sensationalizing it so much?" Arturo said. "This is a bloodbath. Stop selling the frickin' popcorn. By James Patterson Millions Process Dollars Worth Free

Love hurts."Oh, shut UP!" - pg 123 By James Patterson Love Hurts Shut

If by 'miracle kids' you mean innocent test-tube babies whose DNA was forcibly unraveled and merged with two percent avian genes, yeah, I guess that would be us," I said. "Because it's a miracle that we're not complete nut jobs and mutant disasters. By James Patterson Yeah Dna Genes Miracle Kids

The point wasn't to fit everything in; it was to attend to the most important things first - the big, beautiful rocks - the most valuable people and experiences - and fit the lesser things in around them. Otherwise, By James Patterson Fit Things Big Beautiful Rocks

Q: You'er presented with a smooth-faced, eight-foot-high wooden wall. Your objective? Get over it. To, like, save comrades or something. How to accomplish this?A: Take a running start, brace one foot against the wall, throw one hand to the top, try to hang on long enough for a comrade to either grab your hand at the top or for another comrade to push your butt up from below. It takes team work!BKA (bird kid answer): Or you could just, like, fly over it. By James Patterson Youer Smoothfaced Wooden Wall Presented

Yeah," said Iggy. "But what now?Let's do something fun."I guess being on the run frombloodthirsty Erasers and insanescientists wasn't enough fun for him.Kids today are so spoiled. By James Patterson Yeah Iggy Erasers Fun Spoiled

The Chinese had a saying that had been in her mind for a while, troubling her: Society prepares the crime; the criminal only commits it. By James Patterson Society Chinese Troubling Crime Mind

Are you fangalicious? -Jess, a random bloggerI could never be as fangalicious as you'd want me to be.-Fang By James Patterson Jess Fang Fangalicious Random Bloggeri

This is what I believe is most important: getting good books into the hands of kids - books that will make them want to say, 'Wow, that was great. Give me another one to read.' By James Patterson Wow Important Kids Great Books

This was a perfect storm of crap, all flying through the same fan, right at him. By James Patterson Crap Fan Perfect Storm Flying

I don't believe in making war with food. Food is not the enemy. Said by Claire in The 5th Horseman By James Patterson Horseman Food Making War Claire

What are you doing in there, waxing your mustache?" Iggy yelled, pounding on the bathroom door.I yanked the door open and pushed him backward hard, making him stagger. "I don't have a mustache, you idiot!" Iggy giggled and put his arms up to protect himself in case I punched him. "And you know what?" I added. "You don't have one either. Well, maybe in a couple years. You can always hope."I left him in the hallway, anxiously fingering his upper lip. By James Patterson Mustache Waxing Iggy Yelled Pounding

of all, it needed a name. I thought about it for a while and came up with Operation R.A.F.E., which stands for: Rules Aren't For Everyone By James Patterson Needed Operation Rules Thought Stands

Time for bed. I held my fist out. One by one, my flock stacked theirs on top, and then we headed up into the trees to sleep the sleep of the innocent. Well, okay, maybe not so innocent. But the sleep of the much less guilty than others, for sure. By James Patterson Time Bed Sleep Innocent Held

Good memories are like charms ... Each is special. You collect them, one by one, until one day you look back and discover they make a long, colorful bracelet. By James Patterson Good Charms Memories Special Long

Okay, so how, exactly, did I get into this mess - up onstage at a comedy club, baking like a bag of French fries under a hot spotlight that shows off my sweat stains( including one that sort of looks like Jabba the Hutt), with about a thousand beady eyeballs drilling into me? By James Patterson Hutt French Jabba Mess Club

Hello, Max," he said quietly, searching my face. "How do you feel?"Which was a ten on the "imbecilic question" scale of one to ten. Why, I feel fine, Jeb," I said brightly. "How about you?"Any nausea? Headache?" Yep. And it's standing here talking to me. By James Patterson Max Quietly Searching Face Jeb

For many years I had heard about an underworld consisting of people who act out a vampire fantasy while I was living in New York. Fortunately for me there are also several books on the phenomena. By James Patterson York Years Heard Underworld Consisting

What's to analyze?" she said. "They're all crazy, so they became cops, and they're all cops, so they stay crazy. By James Patterson Analyze Crazy Cops Stay

I'm seriously going to be sick, C.P.," I said and turned away. "Hey, serial killer dude!" I called out toward the street. "You can come get me now! I can't live with the image that is now burned on my brain.""Tandy! Take that back!" C.P. said."Okay, fine. I take back the part about wanting the serial killer to come and get me," I told her. "But the rest? That is insane. I can't believe it. You and my . Freaksome. By James Patterson Sick Hey Turned Serial Killer

Justine pulled her Jag over to the side of the road and stared out at the landscape. I twirled the dial on her police band radio until the signal was clear. She opened her thermos, passed it over to me. I took a sip. The coffee was black, unsugared. That's the way Justine liked just about everything: straight up, no bullshit. By James Patterson Jag Landscape Pulled Side Road

(I loved her so much, and) I can't begin to explain ho lucky it is to find someone you can love that much and who, miracle of miracles, loves you that much back. By James Patterson Back Loved Begin Explain Lucky

I whirled around and saw no one. No psychotic mad scientists, anyway."Jackpot, Max! Jackpot!" It was was Fang, and he was giggling hysterically. For those of you just joining us, Fang doesn't giggle. Especially hysterically.So for a second, this seemed like one of the weirder dreams of recent days. By James Patterson Jackpot Max Fang Whirled Anyway

Is it important to be right or is it important to do what's right? That's one of the hardest lessons to learn. By James Patterson Important Learn Hardest Lessons

Life can be like walking on a high wire. Falling seems a tiny misstep away. By James Patterson Life Wire Walking High Falling

Was this normalcy-predictable patterns, the certainty of doing the same thing everyday? Because if so, normalcy was about to make me freak out and start screaming. By James Patterson Patterns Everyday Normalcypredictable Certainty Thing

The middle-aged anchorman said. By James Patterson Middleaged Anchorman

You need to use this as a lever to urge politicians to pass cautionary laws to put a stop to drones and especially robotics and artificial intelligence. People urge gun control after a school shooting, right? Well, we won't have to worry about a school shooter in the near future because he'll be cooking up a genetically engineered supervirus in his basement, and everyone on earth will be dead. You need to ensure that these technologies are treated like radioactive nuclear material, because that's how dangerous this is, and - By James Patterson Urge Intelligence Lever Politicians Pass

A half-dozen or so FBI techies and LAPD homicide detectives were still on the scene. The latest Pearl Jam played from somebody's radio. The lead singer seemed to be in terrible pain. By James Patterson Fbi Lapd Scene Halfdozen Techies

We went back to the weird Institute building. At night there was a lot more activity. Erasers coming in non-stop. Nice cars, nice clothes, nice smug faces (that I wanted to smash!).-Fang's Blog By James Patterson Institute Building Nice Back Weird

Fang and I searched in every way we could think of and found a million institutes of one kind or another, in Manhattan and throughout New York state, but none of them seemed promising. My favorite? The Institute for Realizing Your Pet's Inner Potential. Anyone who can explain that to me, drop a line. By James Patterson Manhattan York Fang State Promising

Fang snorted in disbelief. On one hand, we have a mythical nice family that wants to adopt me. On the other, we have a gang of insane scientists desperate to do genetic experiments on innocent children. Guess which hand I get dealt? By James Patterson Fang Disbelief Snorted Hand Children

Binoculars, adjusts the oxygen hose around his head again. It was just too damn strange, too damn out of the ordinary. No moving vans, no friends stopping by; neither the husband nor the wife - if they By James Patterson Binoculars Adjusts Oxygen Hose Head

For all the scientific evidence we were amassing, many people, both in government and in the citizenry our elected officials are supposedly beholden to, were still refusing to accept that anything out of the ordinary was happening.I wasn't the only voice screaming in the wilderness anymore - but still, not everyone heard the call. In those first few years, it was a long uphill battle to get people to recognize what was happening. By James Patterson Amassing Anymore Call People Scientific

To hug Toni Burgess and Sandy Wilson, the Devil Girlz we'd met in Taylor Creek, Oregon. Correction: former Devil Girlz. There was no sign of leather. Instead Toni was in a dress and had soccer-mom hair, and she said she was going back to teaching school. Sandy just looked sweet. More people were introduced: lawyers for both sides, and His Honor Marlon Sykes, a judge By James Patterson Oregon Wilson Creek Devil Girlz

I followed the adage that if you really want to learn about someone, you should just shut up and listen. By James Patterson Listen Adage Learn Shut

So this is how "happy" feels, I thought. The energy, the automatic smile. This is what it's like to look forward to the day, to believe there could be good things coming. By James Patterson Happy Feels Thought Energy Smile

You can't tell which way the train went by looking at the tracks. By James Patterson Tracks Train

There are terrific models for success with reluctant readers, but many school systems and state governments need to set aside their 'not invented here' and 'we have more important problems than education' attitudes. By James Patterson Attitudes Readers Education Terrific Models

Zig when the world expects you to zag By James Patterson Zig Zag World Expects

That was the funniest thing I'd heard in days.You're kidding, right? PLEASE tell me you have a stronger motive for me than 'fair is fair.' Life isn't FAIR, Dean ... Nothing is fair, EVER. That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard. I need to help you because FAIR IS FAIR? Try, 'I need you to help me so I won't rip out your spine and beat you with it.' I MIGHT respond to that. MAYBE. By James Patterson Fair Kidding Dean Funniest Thing

I think about what I didn't say then, which is this: the stars we see aren't even real stars. We see the light that they gave off millions of years ago but that is only now reaching our eyes. We don't see a star as much as a memory. By James Patterson Real Stars Eyes Memory Light

Listen, street punk. You're a guy, and you're a couple inches taller, and maybe forty pounds heavier, and ooh, you're in a gang. But I've survived ten years of Catholic school, and I will cut you off at your knees without a blink. Do you understand? By James Patterson Listen Street Punk Catholic Guy

De tall, dark vundere's nothing special about him at all," ter Borcht said dismissively of Fang, who hadn't moved since the doctor had come in.Well, he's a snappy dresser," I offered. One side of Fang's mouth quirked. By James Patterson Fang Borcht Tall Dark Ter

In situations where the sane flee from danger, law enforcement officers sprint to engage it. By James Patterson Danger Law Situations Sane Flee

Plus, if I can wax philosophical for a paragraph, there's an even more fundamental principle involved here, and it apples to everything from what you decide to do for a living, to making an omelette, which is that there is nothing so consistently dangerous, not to mention more likely to mess with your head and leave you muttering into your beer, than playing it safe. By James Patterson Paragraph Living Omelette Dangerous Beer

Mike, you ready? he said. The coliseum-like, bowl-shaped CompStat conference room behind him was a pen pusher's paradise, I knew. It was a place where innovative computer-model formats were used to illuminate detailed processes that were compared for effectiveness of indices of performance before implementations of flexible tactics to achieve the development of comprehensive solutions were discussed in a team-building environment. In plain English, it was a bureaucratic version of hell on earth. By James Patterson Mike Ready English Coliseumlike Bowlshaped

My mom had a soft heart after all! Instead of being chained by both wrists, we were only chained by one ankle!I mean, if I'd been looking for proof that she really did love me, this was it, right? By James Patterson Mom Soft Heart Chained Wrists

Literacy rots the brain, I'm afraid. And a rotten mind is of no use to the New Order. Sadly, there must be consequences. By James Patterson Literacy Brain Afraid Order Rots

If you want to write for yourself, get a diary. If you want to write for your friends, get a blog. If you want to write for others ... become an author. By James Patterson Write Diary Friends Blog Author

While carefully synchronizing our wings-they almost touched-Fang leaned in,gently put one hand behind my neck and kissed me.It was just about close to heaven i'll ever get,I guess.I closed my eyes,lost in the feeling of flying and kissing and being with the one person in the world I completely ,utterly trusted. By James Patterson Completely Utterly Trusted Carefully Synchronizing

ached, until his head throbbed, all of that preparation comes down to today. It's finally here! He quickly brushes his teeth and puts on his Halloween costume. He picks up the trombone case and his school backpack and heads downstairs quietly, not wanting to wake his mother. He rips open the cellophane and drops two Pop-Tarts into the toaster and pours himself a glass of milk. He drinks the milk but doesn't touch the pastries. By James Patterson Ached Throbbed Today Preparation Milk

Once told me this thing about brain chemistry, the nub of it being that when you're feeling good, you can't ever imagine feeling bad again. And when you're feeling bad, it's impossible to imagine a time when you won't be circling the drain. By James Patterson Feeling Chemistry Good Bad Imagine

They aren't the brightest crayons in the box-Max(saving the world and other extreme sports) By James Patterson Boxmax Saving Sports Brightest Crayons

A boy and a girl, fated to rule all. Two will rise, and One will fall. By James Patterson Girl Fated Boy Rule Rise

What are you doing here?" [ndr prison]Selling Girl Scout cookies," I said. "Want some? The Samoas are terrific."(Max II to Max) By James Patterson Selling Max Girl Scout Ndr

He landed 10 feet below with a sickening crunch-i'm guessing his enhancements didn't allow him to bounce back up like a ball. we call that a design flaw. By James Patterson Landed Feet Ball Sickening Crunchi

there, but it was some half-assed firework or By James Patterson Halfassed Firework

To just lie there and feel vulnerable, and think about everything that had just happened between us, and wonder how it had changed things, and wonder when I had started to love him so much, so painfully, and feel how terrified I was and how elated, and how every cell of my body felt so alive. It was pretty much the worst thing that could ever happen to a girl. I highly recommend it. By James Patterson Feel Vulnerable Painfully Elated Alive

Wasn't this great?" Nudge asked excitedly. "I can't believe we're in the White House! I want to be president someday." "I'll be vice president," the Gasman offered. "You guys would be great," I said politely. Yes, they could run on the Mutant Party ticket, with a freak-of-nature platform. No prob. I'm sure America is ready for that. By James Patterson Great House President White Nudge

Yes. I owed my life, Angel's life, and my mother's life to a mutant's ability to create industrial-strength snot. By James Patterson Life Angel Snot Owed