Last check, we thought it was just Cincinnatians who were obsessed with reading James Patterson. As it turns out, Northern Kentuckians are enamored with him, too.
As summer comes to a close, we asked the Kenton County Public Library what its members are checking out for fall, and it is nearly all James Patterson novels. Kentucky teens show off a more eclectic selection, while little ones in the Bluegrass State are devouring the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series.
Let the below list inspire what you pick up to read this fall, and in case you've already gotten through Patterson's extensive canon (or you just aren't into mysteries), WVXU staff also share what they're currently reading. We promise there is not a James Patterson book among them.
Adults
- The Inn, James Patterson
- Where The Crawdads Sing, Delia Owens
- The Warning, James Patterson
- The 18th Abduction, James Patterson
- The Cornwalls Are Gone, James Patterson
Teens
- The Hunger Games, Suzanne Collins
- Turtles All the Way Down, John Green
- The Giver, Lois Lowry
- The Outsiders, S.E. Hilton
- House of Salt and Sorrows, Erin A. Craig
Juvenile
- Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul, Jeff Kinney
- Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw, Jeff Kinney
- Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Old School, Jeff Kinney
- Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Getaway, Jeff Kinney
- Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Third Wheel, Jeff Kinney
WVXU Staff
"I just finished The Lying Game by Ruth Ware and found it to be better than some of her other works, in my opinion. As for this fall, I've decided to embark upon the alphabetical journey laid out by Sue Grafton. I just picked up A Is for Alibi." –Tana Weingartner, reporter
"I'm not readying anything, but after many years of badgering, my daughter Hannah is finally reading Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman, because she became obsessed with the show on Amazon Prime. Now she keeps quoting things to me that I've known since 1990." –Jodi Franks, assistant traffic associate
"I'm reading Tim Gunn's Golden Rules: Life's Little Lessons for Making It Work. Why? I like Tim Gunn. Will I actually read it is another question. I will try to squeeze it in between watching The Hills: New Beginnings (I am so worried about Audrina and Justin Bobby's relationship) and anything that's on the tellie." –Robert Pearse, corporate sales representative
"A Small Death In Lisbon by Robert Wilson. There was a certain something in the title that caught my ear. I just like the ring of it. A marvelously written mystery that jumps back and forth between World War II and late '90s Portugal." –Bill Rinehart, reporter and All Things Considered host
"I'm reading Slaves in the Family by Edward Ball. I'm curious how a white man learning about his family's history of owning African slaves impacts his understanding of who he is and where he comes from." –Ambriehl Crutchfield, reporter
"The Girl in the Rearview Mirror. I saw it on the library shelf under 'new.' I'm easy that way!" –Sherri Mancini, vice president for development
"River Queens by Alexander Watson. This is a true, if unlikely tale, of two men and an old boat, brought back from a state of neglect and disrepair to shimmering, elegant polished wood elegance. The fact that they are a gay couple with no boating experience, maneuvering the world of river people adds a lot of space to the story. Great characters and a world I know nothing about makes this a fascinating read. And, the author will be at this year's Books by the Banks!" [Editor's note: The two also spoke with Cincinnati Edition last November.] – Elaine Diehl, WGUC host
"Hero of the Empire: The Boer War, A Daring Escape, and the Making of Winston Churchill by Candice Millard. I have read other books by this author that I have thoroughly enjoyed so I thought I would give this one a try. So far, so good." –Pete Pickering, corporate sales manager
"Five Years To Freedom: The True Story of a Vietnam POW by James Rowe. Really puts whatever I think is 'stressful' into perspective. Once he got back home, he started the survival school that the military branches still use today, SERE." –Andy Ellis, WGUC host
"Mainly college football TV listings." Dave Schermer, production assistant
