Southtown Star du lieu suivant : Tinley Park, Illinois • 72

1 booldook The Star Thursday, January 21 1999 TWo top writers produce tet books Bj? loanne Zerkel Xj a 'fB --'-'TTT'W til illl SB 6. "The Simple Truth," David Baldacci, Farrar Straus Giroux, $27.50. 7. "In Danger's Rath," W.E.B. Griffin, Putnam, $24.95.

8. "The Poisonwood Bible," Barbara Kingsolver, HarperCollins, $27.50. 9. "The Cat Who Saw Stars," Lilian Jackson Braun, Putnam, $22.95. 10.

"Angel's Flight," Michael Connelly; Little, Brown $25. 1 "Southern Cross," Patricia Cromwell, Putnam, $25.95. 2. "A Man in Full," Tom Wolfe, Farrar Straus Giroux, $27.50. 3.

"Seize the Night," Dean Koontz, Bantam Doubleday Dell, $26.95. 4. "Billy Sraight," Jonathan Kellerman, Random House, $25.95. 5. "When the Wind Blows," James Patterson; Little, Brown $25.

Source Publishers Weekly Two thrillers have been on bestseller lists for weeks now deservedly. "When the Wind Blows" by James Patterson and David Baldacci's "The Simple Truth," although very different, are excellent reads. Patterson is the creator of Alex Cross, the black psychiatrist and homicide detective in four bestsellers, including 1 997's "Cat and Mouse." Most readers of the genre know that "Kiss the Girls" hit the movie screen that same year with Morgan Freeman as Cross. Patterson's new book is a deviation from that popular series. "When the Wind Blows" is the story of Frannie O'Neill, a young widow and veterinarian, who stumbles upon an unbelievable phenomenon children that fly.

One child, Max, takes the vet-erinarian and her lover, Kit Harrison, a troubled FBI agent, on a hellish flight into the world of biochemistry, greed and power. Patterson makes reading this rather complicated story easy, since his characters are as believable as their speech. Reading conversations is like listening to a radio talk show. Because Patterson writes tight, readers are never confused by either the plot line or the characters. This is by far his best book yet.

Baldacci, too, scores with his Author says writing is easy By Ann Mathews encouraging prospective writers The Simple Truth, David Baldacci, Warner Books, $25. Washington, D. where a conspiracy shakes the Supreme Court's very core. The same secret echoes out of the dark reality of a lifer's prison cell. The plot line never lessens its appeal as secret after secret is revealed, and character after character defined.

At its end, true to the best of the genre, Baldacci pulls off a perfect surprise ending. This is a hard-to-put-down book. Pick it up. You won't regret it. A former corporate lawyer, Baldacci's other work includes "Absolute Power," "Total Control," and "The Winner." When the Wind Blows, James Patterson, Little Brown and $25.

behind- the- scenes look at the U. S. Supreme Court and the battleground that high court really is. He couples that plot line with the vicious environment of prison. Within eachVorld, a pair of brothers drive the plot.

Baldacci is a master of the language, and moves the story of these two sets of men from one world to the other with ease. Two of the brothers are lawyers; the other two criminals. Their lives are different, yet the same, and on a steamy summer night those lives converge with savage violence, joined by a deadly secret. The secret takes them from the vanity-loaded halls of power in Your Star Horoscope Right Write and Initiation Writing Lift to embark on tne course they have avoided. She tells people to suppress the rules they learned in scnool because they inhibit, causing the belief writing is difficult.

They should write everything down as it's felt before sorting it out, she jays. Also, everyone has time to write. It's a matter of choosing the available time; and discipline is not a part of writing. People write because they like it. The "Initiation Tool" of each segment is an exercise based on the information provided in the invitation part.

To convince writers they have time to write, the exercise suggests buying five postcards ana finding addresses of five people the writer wants to contact. After setting a timer for 15 minutes, the writer takes two to three minutes for each greeting. When the time is up, the writing is complete and the writer can mail the postcards. As readers continue through each segment, from "Begin," "Mood," "Drama," "Body of Experience," "Sketching" and all he rest, they realize the exercises become more difficult, and writing is time consuming. Readers will realize this book is for those who are serious about wanting to write, but don't have a system or procedure for accomplishing the task.

Cameron gives structure to the big picture of getting something written by helping the neophyte take one step it a time. By the end of the book, readers will know if they want to pursue their dream of writing. If tney can't get through the book, they will lie considering a different way to express their feelings, thoughts and ideas, rather than in written form. CameroM Artists Most people have heard the story about tne surgeon and writer who meet at a party. The surgeon tells the writer, "When I retire, I'm going to write a book." The writer responds, "When I retire from writing, I'm going to be a surgeon.

So goes the belief that anyone can write because it's easy, yet in "The Right to Write" (Jeremy P. TarcherPutnam, Julia Cameron wants to convince the that's exactly the case. She may even scold the writer for discouraging the surgeon. Cameron, known for her bestselling "The Artist's Way, "in which she offers a program to discover tne creative self, is passionate about people writing. She labels the activity everyone's birthright, and says it's human nature to write.

"Writing is like breathing; it's possible to learn to do it well, but the point is to do it no matter what," she writes. The book's format adheres to the message in the subtitle, "An Invitation and Initiation into the Writing Life." Each of the 43 segments in the book begins with an invitation to write, followed by encouragement to do so. The invitation tries to debunk what Cameron calls myths about writing. Writing isn't a tortuous activity as people are led to believe, she writes. Writing doesn't always have to know where it's going.

Not having enough time or discipline are also myths. Cameron grabs these notions and turns them to positives, thereby Th An Invitation into the The ARIES (321-420) Take advantage of your high energy level this week. It will go a long way toward helping you balance home, friends and work. You should be able to get home and work projects done ahead of time, which means extra time for fun. TAURUS (421-521) If you find yourself a little ahead on the budget this week, use the money wisely.

How about planning an educa tional trip or time at a spa to get in better shape? Maybe you could sign up for a class to make you even more valuable at work. GEMINI (522-621) Don't let pessimism in the workplace bring you down. Things may be rough at work now, but relief may be on the way. Take advantage of an opportunity that may come your way. It won't be easy, but be open-minded at home.

CANCER (622-722) Valentine's Day is approaching, and love is in the air. Don't get too wrapped up in it and don't get in over your head. It may feel like love, but it may not be. Don't forget family matters with your hectic schedule, work and friends. LEO (723-823) Skip the chocolates this year.

Instead, put a little more though into this year's Valentine's Day gift. You still have time to put some creativity into your choice. Seek professional advice on a pertinent family matter that has you in the middle. VIRGO (824-922) Changes are taking place in your circle of friends. New friendships are formed, old ones are fading away.

In this natur- al process, be open-minded and flexible; but you'll find your old and new friends don't have a lot in common. LIBRA (923-1023) Even though you'll be busy during the first part of the week, it should slow down soon. Along the way, keep you eyes and ears open for bits of information that can helpyou. lust don't promise anything you can't deliver. SCORPIO (1024-1122) Don't let outdated notions hold you back.

Instead, explore them, then ask yourself if there is an alternative. Organize your time. You have a lot of chores and errands to get done, and in order to do that, you'll have to keep to your list. SAGITTARIUS (1123-1221) Feeling restless? That's understandable with everything that's been going on at work and home. This would be a good time to gel away for a long weekend.

However, before you set out, make sure you have the finances to cover the trip. AQUARIUS (121-218) Relationships are the key to your week, those al home and at work. Depend on them to help you get through the next week or so. They'll help you stay on course so you can get the job done. If someone offers you timjp away from the grind, lake it! PISCES (219-320) Make Valentine's Day extra-special this year.

You and your partner haven't been away together in quite a while. Consider a quiet, romantic spot, not a hec tic day shopping or hopping from place ijo place. It will really help your relationship thrive. CAPRICORN (1222-120) Entertaining friends or relatives front out of town may end up blowing your Valentine's Day plans. Enjoy the lime with your guests; after all, you haven't seen them in quite a while, and you can always celebrate Valentine's Day later.

Your Horoscope For The Week January 31, 1999 February 6, 1999.