James Patterson Quotes:

maybe, beauty, true beauty, is so overwhelming, it goes straight to our hearts.maybe it makes us feel emotions that are locked away inside

Topics: Heart, True Beauty, Emotion

You're lucky if you find something you like to do, and it's a miracle if somebody will pay you to do it.

Topics: Miracle, Lucky, Pay

Imagine life is a game in which you are juggling five balls. 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 a rubber ball. If you drop it, it will bounce back. The other four balls...are made of glass. If you drop one of these, it will be irrevocably scuffed, nicked, perhaps even shattered.

source: - James Patterson (2001). “Suzanne's diary for Nicholas: a novel”

Topics: Motivational, Life And Love, Integrity, Juggling, Life Is A Game

I do 30 to 40 books a year, so it's a fair amount of reading. Back and forth between nonfiction and fiction. I usually have three or four things that are open on my desk, on my bed, on audiobook in the car.

Topics: Book, Reading, Years

A friend of mine once defined love as finding someone you can talk to late into the night

Topics: Love, Night, Finding Someone

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.

Topics: Grief, Loss, Ideas, Devastating Loss

Your mind creates your reality. If you expect nothing, you open up the universe to give you options. If you expect the worst, you usually get it.

Topics: Reality, Giving, Mind

It's been said that love finds you when you're ready.

Topics: Said, Ready

Popcorn for breakfast! Why not? It's a grain. It's like grits, but with high self-esteem.

source: - James Patterson (2007). “The Angel Experiment”, Little, Brown and Company

Topics: Self Esteem, Food, Popcorn, High Self Esteem, Maximum Ride

You see, one of the best things about reading is that you'll always have something to think about when you're not reading.

source: - Source: collider.com

Topics: Reading, Thinking

So you have your price. Your soul for a cookie.

Topics: Soul, Cookies, Your Soul

Better readers are better thinkers.

Topics: Thinker, Reader

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.

Topics: Stupid, Reading, Book, Best Experiences

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.

Topics: Mother, Cat, Two, Female Friends, Mother Grandmother

Yes!” said Fang, punching the air. “Freaks rule.

Topics: Air, Punching, Freak

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.

Topics: Strong, Delight, Teeth, Hard Core, Fried Chicken

Basically, I have two speeds.... Hostile or smart-aleck. Your choice.

Topics: Smart, Humor, Two, Smart Aleck

I don't believe in lecturing people. It's much more effective to present reading as a fun, rewarding pastime.

Topics: Fun, Believe, Reading, Lecturing

The funny thing about facing imminent death is that it really snaps everything else into perspective.

Topics: Death, Funny Things, Perspective, Imminent Death, Maximum Ride

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.

Topics: Mom, Mother, Brother

I never miss a good chance to shut up

source: - James Patterson (2017). “Along Came a Spider: (Alex Cross 1)”, p.237, Random House

Topics: Missing, Chance, Shut Up, Languages Communication, Missed Chances

I never read detective novels. I started out in graduate school writing a more serious book. Right around that time I read 'The Day of the Jackal' and 'The Exorcist'. I hadn't read a lot of commercial fiction, and I liked them.

Topics: Book, Writing, School, Exorcist, Jackals

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.

Topics: Book, Writing, Thinking, Manuscripts, Almost Done

Some poeple just don't have what it takes to appreciate a cookie.

Topics: Appreciate, Cookies, Brown Sugar

I don't damsel well. Distress, I can do. Damseling? Not so much.

Topics: Maximum Ride, Wells, Distress

Love means never having to be apart

Topics: Mean, Love Means

Never underestimate the power of funny, it moves mountains.

Topics: Moving, Mountain, Underestimate

Excuse me? I'm alive too.

Topics: Alive, Maximum Ride, Excuse, I'm Alive

You...are...a...fridge...with wings,' Fang ground out, punching an Eraser hard with every word. 'We're...freaking...ballet...dancers.

Topics: Wings, Dancer, Ballet, Fridges, Erasers

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

Topics: Girl, Want, Max

This is my brain: O This is my brain after making out with Fang: * It's very sad.

Topics: Brain, Very Sad

Holy [Insert your choice of a swear word here]," said Fang stunned.

Topics: Choices, Maximum Ride, Holy, Insert, Swear Word

I'm a freaking princess when it comes to other people's feelings. Yo dogbreath, get your paws of the everglades. -Max

Topics: Princess, People, Feelings, Everglades

Then I went to bed and cried into my pillow. I wasn't sad, not at all. It was just so beautiful to have an intense feeling and the right words at the same time. What are we but our stories?

source: - James Patterson (2004). “Sam's letters to Jennifer”

Topics: Beautiful, Feelings, Bed, Intense Feelings

He's gonna be fine," I confirmed. Can we see him?" Iggy asked. Ig, I hate to break it to you, but you're blind.

Topics: Hate, Blind, Break

Don't depend on others to give you strength....Find it within yourself

Topics: Giving, Depends

Bad stuff happens. Sometimes it makes no sense at all. Sometimes its unfair. Sometimes, it just plain sucks. Bad stuff happens sometimes. Always remember that, but remember that you have to move on somehow. You just pick your head up and stare at something beautiful like the sky, or the ocean, and you move the hell on.

Topics: Beautiful, Ocean, Moving, Heads Up, Something Beautiful

Stop trying to write sentences and start trying to write stories.

Topics: Writing, Trying, Stories

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.

Topics: Life, Memories, Special You, Bracelet, Colorful

Seize what's been handed you. Make smart decisions. Make decisions because life is a temporary situation.

Topics: Smart, Decision, Life Is, Temporary Situations, Smart Decisions

You are an endless project...changing, evolving, surprising.

Topics: Projects, Endless, Evolve

There's no such thing as a kid who hates reading. There are kids who love reading, and kids who are reading the wrong books.

source: - Twitter post from Jan 09, 2014

Topics: Hate, Book, Reading, Love Of Reading

Another day. Get up and face it.

Topics: Faces, Another Day, Get Up

Half the time when brothers wrestle, it's just an excuse to hug each other.

Topics: Brother, Sibling, Hug, My Siblings, Funny Brother

Knowledge is a terrible burden. It may help you, but it might also destroy you.

Topics: May, Might, Helping

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.

Topics: Writing, Diaries, Want

But what is life if you don't live it?

source: - James Patterson (2011). “Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas”, p.78, Hachette UK

Topics: What Is Life, Ifs

For a long time it had seemed to me that life was about to begin -- real life. But there was always some obstacle in the way, something to be gotten through first, some unfinished business, time still to be served, a debt to be paid. Then life would begin. At last it dawned on me that these obstacles were my life.

source: - James Patterson (2004). “Sam's letters to Jennifer”

Topics: Inspirational, Life, Inspiring, Life Wisdom, Life Path

Home is wherever we all are together.

source: - James Patterson (2007). “The Angel Experiment”, Little, Brown and Company

Topics: Home, Together

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.

source: - James Patterson (2008). “Sundays at Tiffany's”, p.300, Random House

Topics: Life, New York, School

A guy who hates his job isn't going to be too charming at home.

source: - James Patterson, Peter De Jonge (2011). “Miracle on the 17th Green”, p.30, Hachette UK

Topics: Jobs, Hate, Home

There's a saying I remember from my grandmother: One today is worth two tomorrows.

source: - James Patterson (2011). “Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas”, p.78, Hachette UK

Topics: Grandmother, Two, Today

The act of laughing releases some nice chemical into your brain, you feel good and it's free.

source: - James Patterson (2004). “Sam's letters to Jennifer”

Topics: Moving On, Nice, Laughing, Some Nice

Because what’s worse than knowing you want something, besides knowing you can never have it?

source: - James Patterson (2007). “The Angel Experiment”, Little, Brown and Company

Topics: Life, Unrequited Love, Want Something, Unrequited, Maximum Ride

I remembered something my first partner had told me. Never wrestle with a pig, Lindsay. You both get dirty. The pig likes it.

source: - James Patterson (2001). “1st to Die”, p.62, Hachette UK

Topics: Dirty, Pigs, Likes

I don't know why, but life is usually more complicated than the plans that we make.

source: - James Patterson (2001). “Suzanne's diary for Nicholas: a novel”

Topics: Life Is, Complicated, Plans

Assume nothing, question everything.

Topics: Assuming, Assume Nothing

I'm not Stubborn; I'm right!

Topics: Stubborn

If it's commercial fiction that you want to write, it's story, story, story. You've got to get a story where if you tell it to somebody in a paragraph, they'll go, "Tell me more." And then when you start to write it, they continue to want to read more. And if you don't, it won't work.

Topics: Writing, Fiction, Stories

living life was like putting the beach into a jar. 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, the best things might get left out

source: - James Patterson (2004). “Sam's letters to Jennifer”

Topics: Beautiful, Beach, Live Life

Okay, okay, okay. I understood that pushing the elevator button over and over again would not make the elevator appear sooner. But I couldn't help myself

Topics: Buttons, Pushing, Helping

Dreams die hard. And sometimes they don't have to die at all.

source: - James Patterson, Peter De Jonge (2011). “Miracle on the 17th Green”, p.43, Hachette UK

Topics: Dream, Sometimes, Dies

An unbearable smug look came over his usually impassive face."Uh-huh. You just keep telling youself that. You looove me." I took a swing at him, but he jumped back nimbly, and all I did was jar my left arm, making it hurt. He laughed at me, then pointed at the woods ouside the window."Pick a tree. I'll go carve our initials in it.

Topics: Hurt, Swings, Tree

I'm a very good storyteller; I have a lot of compassion for people. That's very useful for a novelist. A lot of novelists are snots. They're just mean people. I'm not a terribly skilled stylist, nor do I want to be. I want a lot of people to read one of my stories and go, 'That was pretty cool.'

Topics: Mean, Compassion, People

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.

Topics: Love You, Sleep, Eye, Streaming

A boy and a girl, fated to rule all. Two will rise, and One will fall.

Topics: Girl, Fall, Boys

When I write I pretend I'm telling a story to someone in the room and I don't want them to get up until I'm finished.

Topics: Writing, Stories, Want

If you're in the room, I want to be next to you. If you're gone, I think about you. You're who I want to talk to. In a fight, I want you at my back. When we're together the sun is shining. When we're apart, everything is in shades of gray.

source: - James Patterson (2010). “Maximum Ride: Fang: Dystopian Science Fiction”, p.306, Random House

Topics: Fighting, Thinking, Shining, Shades Of Gray

WARNING If you dare to read this story, you become part of the Experiment

Topics: Stories, Warning, Dare

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.

Topics: Children, Eye, Fate, Phone Numbers

Tears were dripping onto my dress, but I wasn't making any sound. There was no sound to express thid kind of pain. I didn't want to move, didn't want to do anything. Fang was not waiting for me out in the living room. Tomorrow morning, when I woke up, Fang would still be gone.

Topics: Morning, Pain, Moving, Tomorrow Morning

She had a lot of hugs to give, but not enough people to give them to.

source: - James Patterson (2008). “Sundays at Tiffany's”, p.33, Random House

Topics: People, Giving, Hug

The whole duty of humanity, from a Christian perspective is: 'To know God and to show God.'

Topics: Christian, Perspective, Humanity

But if I could do anything? Maybe you would want to be able to save the world, the Voice said. Did you ever think of that? No. I frowned. Leave that to the grown-ups. But grown-ups are the ones destroying the world, the Voice said. Think about it.

source: - James Patterson (2007). “The Angel Experiment”, Little, Brown and Company

Topics: Thinking, Voice, World

Sometimes being a leader isn’t about winning. Sometimes it’s about doing what’s right, instead of what’s powerful.

source: - James Patterson (2012). “Maximum Ride: Nevermore”, p.272, Random House

Topics: Powerful, Winning, Leader

Let's just say that if these scientist had been using their brilliance for good instead of evil, cars would run off water vapor and leave fresh compost behind them; no one would be hungry; no one would be ill; all buildings would be earthquake-, bomb-, and flood-proof; and the world's entire economy would have collapsed and been replaced by one based on the value of chocolate.

Topics: Running, Earthquakes, Evil, Vapor, Compost

you...are...a...frige...with...wings...we...are...freaking...ballet...dancers!

Topics: Wings, Dancer, Ballet

Do you want to know the closest thing to feeling the most powerful you can feel ? Flying alone at night.Risky.Nothing but you and the wind soaring way above everything , Slicing through the air like a Sword. Up and up until you feel like you can grab a star and hold it to your chest like a burning, Spiky thing

source: - James Patterson (2009). “Maximum Ride: Max”, p.55, Random House

Topics: Stars, Powerful, Night, Closest

Life is such a miracle, a series of small miracles.It really is, if you learn how to look at it with the right perspective.

source: - James Patterson (2001). “Suzanne's diary for Nicholas: a novel”

Topics: Perspective, Miracle, Looks, Small Miracles

It is my time. The time of maximum ride.

source: - James Patterson (2012). “Maximum Ride: Nevermore”, p.344, Random House

Topics: Maximum Ride, Maximum, My Time

Yes, I sounded like a pathetic weenie. I prefer to think of it as showing my softer side.

Topics: Thinking, Sides, Pathetic

"I feel like, like pudding," Iggy groaned. "Pudding with nerve endings. Pudding in great pain."

source: - "Maximum Ride: The Angel Experiment". Book by James Patterson, April 11, 2005.

Topics: Pain, Humorous, Pudding, Maximum Ride

People always remember the worst day of their lifes. It becomes a part of them forever.

Topics: People, Forever, Remember, Worst Day

What I'm really addicted to is getting people to understand that if their kids aren't competent readers coming out of middle school, it's really going to be hard for them in high school.

source: - "Surviving Summer Camp In James Patterson's 'Middle School'". "Weekend Edition Saturday" with Scott Simon, www.npr.org. June 22, 2013.

Topics: School, Kids, People, Competent

The best way to get kids reading more is to give them books that they'll gobble up - and that will make them ask for another.

source: - "How to get your kid to be a fanatic reader" by James Patterson, www.cnn.com. September 28, 2011.

Topics: Book, Reading, Kids, Reading For Kids, Reading More

What kind of thoughtless creep would burn a book?

Topics: Book, Kind, Creeps

I learnt to love reading. And then I started scribbling stories, and I liked that even more.

Topics: Reading, Stories, Love Of Reading

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

Topics: Max, Rich, Patches, Briars

Pain is a message, and you can choose to ignore that message.

Topics: Pain, Messages

I'm very emotional. I do feel stuff, for better or worse.

Topics: Emotional, Stuff, Feels

"So you have your price."... "Your soul for a cookie."

source: - "Maximum Ride: Saving the World and Other Extreme Sports". Book by James Patterson, May 29, 2007.

Topics: Soul, Cookies, Your Soul

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?

Topics: Soul, Max, Lasts, Maximum Ride

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.

Topics: Book, School, Character

A vet! I started laughing weakly and had to sit on the edge of the tub. A vet. Wait till they found out how appropriate that was.

source: - James Patterson (2010). “Maximum Ride Boxed Set #1”, p.70, Hachette UK

Topics: Laughing, Waiting, Vets

Yeah,” said Iggy. “But what now? Let’s do something fun.” I guess being on the run from bloodthirsty Erasers and insane scientists wasn’t enough fun for him. Kids today are so spoiled.

Topics: Running, Fun, Kids, Erasers

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.

source: - James Patterson (2008). “Maximum Ride: The Final Warning”, p.27, Random House

Topics: Couple, Doors, Years, Waxing

So the first thing we're gonna do," I told him, "is push you off the roof.

Topics: Firsts, Roof

Our parents were a test tube and a turkey baster.

Topics: Turkeys, Parent, Tests

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.

Topics: Rip, Eye, Angel, Little Angel

Pain fades,” I said slowly. “But being a nutcase seems to stick around. Guess who got the better deal here?” The last thing I remember is Mr. Chu’s face blazing with fury.

Topics: Pain, Sticks, Lasts

I knew my transformation was complete when Dr.Keyes asked, "How are you feeling today, Tandy?" and I responded "I'm not

Topics: Feelings, Drs, Today

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!

Topics: Wings, Leave Me Alone, Teeth

So you have you price," I said with a mouthful of crumbs. "Your soul for a cookie." Fang made sure Dr. Martinez wasn't looking and then shot me the bird.

Topics: Bird, Soul, Drs, Crumbs

It’s, like, a safety bomb.” -Iggy

Topics: Safety, Bombs

Fang was going to kill me. And after I was dead, he would kill me again.

source: - James Patterson (2007). “The Angel Experiment”, Little, Brown and Company

Topics: Kill Me, Fangs

How did you become blind, uh, Jeff is it?" Yeah, Jeff. Well, I looked directly at the sun, you know, the way they always tell you not to. If only I had listened.

source: - James Patterson (2010). “Maximum Ride Boxed Set #1”, p.317, Hachette UK

Topics: Way, Sun, Blind

I love you. I love your smile, your snarl, your grin, your face when you're sleeping.

Topics: Love You, Sleep, Your Smile

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

Topics: War, Believe, Enemy

Dogs, dogs, go away, let me live another day.

source: - "Maximum Ride: The Angel Experiment". Book by James Patterson, April 28, 2011.

Topics: Dog, Going Away, Max, Maximum Ride

Being the leader means you have to make life or death decisions sometimes.

Topics: Mean, Decision, Leader

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

Topics: Chocolate, Max, Tests

Part 1- In search of Hot Chocolate-Chip Cookies

source: - James Patterson (2007). “Saving the World and Other Extreme Sports: A Maximum Ride Novel”, p.8, Hachette UK

Topics: Chocolate, Hot, Cookies, Chocolate Chip Cookies, Chocolate Chips

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.

Topics: Quiet Voice, Forever, Phrases

In a manner of speaking. As we intend for you to found a dynasty. And that dynasty will rule society until it has progressed enough to-" "Overthrow the dynasty in a revolutionary, blood filled coup!" Iggy said eagerly. We all looked at him. "Just saying." He sheepishly took a bite of cookie.

Topics: Blood, Cookies, Dynasty

I hung my head, and I felt someone, Fang, gather me gently to him. My cheek rested on his shoulder, and my silent tears soaked his torn shirt.He felt warm and strong and heartbreakingly familiar. And at that moment, not a single thing in my life was certain, strong, or whole. Nothing. Least of all Fang.

Topics: Strong, Tears, Moments

Yes!” said Fang, punching the air. “Freaks rule.

source: - James Patterson (2007). “The Angel Experiment”, Little, Brown and Company

Topics: Air, Punching, Freak

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.

source: - James Patterson (2009). “Maximum Ride: Max”, p.137, Random House

Topics: Military, War, Eye, Colonels, Revolutionary War

For example, you go to Fuji, and there are no animal attacks. Why? And I think that gets you into the world of "The Walking Dead" or "Lost." Humans start doing some weird stuff.

Topics: Animal, Thinking, Walking Dead, Weird Stuff

A lot of writers fall in love with their sentences or their construction of sentences, and sometimes that's great, but not everybody is Gabriel Garcia Marquez or James Joyce. A lot of people like to pretend that they are, and they wind up not giving people a good read or enlightening them.

Topics: Falling In Love, Wind, People, Marquez, Good Reads

I’ve been listening to how the Roman Empire fell and all I can say is, it didn’t fall nearly fast enough!”-Iggy

Topics: Fall, Listening, Empires

Jeezum—humans were like eggshells.

source: - James Patterson (2007). “The Angel Experiment”, Little, Brown and Company

Topics: Eggshells, Humans

I looked into her eyes. "Mom, who do you pray to?" I just pray, Daniel. That's all.

source: - James Patterson (2008). “The Dangerous Days of Daniel X”, p.36, Random House

Topics: Mom, Eye, Her Eyes

Yes," I said. "My name is seven-five-nine-nine-three-nine-ex-dash-one. Junior.

Topics: Names, Three, Juniors

Oh great. Yoda captured us.

Topics: Maximum Ride, Captured

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.

Topics: Growing Up, Ocean, Sea, Scuba, National Geographic

You know, I guess I just don't like to talk a lot about sad things. Now you know my flaw. What good does it do to talk about sad things in the past?

source: - James Patterson (2001). “Suzanne's diary for Nicholas: a novel”

Topics: Past, Doe, Flaws

There's nothing more annoying than cold logic and reason when you've got a good fit going.

source: - James Patterson (2010). “Maximum Ride Boxed Set #1”, p.51, Hachette UK

Topics: Logic, Cold, Annoying

I moved to leave, and Dylan actually grabbed me by my shoulders. I was so surprised that I forgot to karate-chop his elbows and break his arms.

Topics: Elbows, Arms, Karate, Subtext, Read Between The Lines

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.

source: - "Maximum Ride: Saving the World and Other Extreme Sports". Book by James Patterson, May 29, 2007.

Topics: Dog, Kids, Hands

When its true, when it's right, love can give you the kind of joy that you can't get from any other experience.

source: - James Patterson (2001). “Suzanne's diary for Nicholas: a novel”

Topics: Giving, Joy, Kind

If Fang is in any way harmed while I'm gone-if he gets a hangnail-you won't see another morning. Are we clear on that?

source: - James Patterson (2010). “Maximum Ride: Fang: Dystopian Science Fiction”, p.246, Random House

Topics: Morning, Gone, Way

Besides my great fashion sense? I play a mean harmonica.

Topics: Fashion, Mean, Play, Harmonicas, Maximum Ride

Who ya gonna call?" "Ghostbusters!" "That phrase is ruined forever.

Topics: Forever, Phrases, Ruined

The writing in Mission to Paris, sentence after sentence, page after page, is dazzling. If you are a John le Carr fan, this is definitely a novel for you.

Topics: Writing, Paris, Fans

Men suck, even imaginary ones

Topics: Men, Imaginary

When your own romantic life is falling apart, everyone else's looks fabulous.

source: - James Patterson (2008). “Sundays at Tiffany's”, p.49, Random House

Topics: Fall, Looks, Fabulous, Romantic Life

Lots of women are gifting themselves with diamonds for their right hand.

Topics: Hands, Diamond, Gifting

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

Topics: Sometimes, Certain, Knows

...Drifting downstream in a row boat doesn't count against your life span.

Topics: Row Boats, Boat, Drifting

Tell me again what we're doing here," I said, running a continuous scan of our surroundings. Fang popped some Cracker Jack into his mouth. "We're here to watch manly men do manly things." I followed Fang's line of sight: He was watching the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, who were not doing manly things, by any stretch of the imagination.

Topics: Running, Cowboy, Men, Dallas Cowboy

De tall, dark vun--dere'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.

Topics: Dark, Doctors, Special, Dressers, Maximum Ride

Walking over to Iggy, he poked him with his shoe. "Does anysing on you vork properly?" Iggy rubbed his forehead with one hand. "Well, I have a highly developed sense of irony." Ter Borcht tsked. "You are a liability to your group. I assume you alvays hold onto someone's shirt, yes? Following dem closely?" "Only when I'm trying to steal their dessert," Iggy said truthfully.

Topics: Hands, Shoes, Trying

Bombs are good. I love bombs."--Iggy

Topics: Bombs

I mean, who cares about SpongeBob SquarePants? I'm sitting here with Wolverine! -random kid talking to Ari

Topics: Mean, Kids, Talking, Spongebob Squarepants

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.

Topics: Cells, Dental Floss, Locks

Don't ever leave me again." -Max I won't. I won't not ever." -Fang

Topics: Max, Maximum Ride, Leaving Me

Pick a tree. I'll carve our initials into it." -Fang

Topics: Tree, Maximum Ride, Initials

I didn't know a van could go up on two wheels like that, for so long." -Nudge

Topics: Two, Long, Nudge, Two Wheels

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.

Topics: Nice, Book, Character

choose now," he spat, his eyes practically shooing sparks. "me or him." gosh,Fang, you romantic fool," i said sarcastically."howw incredibly sexist pig of you.

Topics: Eye, Pigs, Sparks, Spats

"There is one bright side to this," said Fang. "Yeah? What's that?" The new and improved Erasers would mutilate us before they killed us? He grinned at me so unexpectedly I gorgot to flap for a second and dropped several feet. "You looove me," he crooned smugly. Holding his arms out wide, he added, "You love me this much." My shriek of appalled rage could probably be heard in California, or maybe Hawaii.

source: - "Maximum Ride: Saving the World and Other Extreme Sports (Maximum Ride, Book 3)". Book by James Patterson, May 29, 2007.

Topics: California, Max, Hawaii, Maximum Ride

That'd be just what I need: a rash of car thefts across America, committed by dedicated readers.

source: - James Patterson (2010). “Maximum Ride Boxed Set #1”, p.113, Hachette UK

Topics: America, Car, Needs

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.

Topics: Hair, Ice, Wind

They [Erasers] were bad fliers," Angel chimed in, "And in their minds, they weren't all kill the mutants, like they usually are. They were like, remember to flap!

source: - James Patterson (2010). “Maximum Ride Boxed Set #1”, p.304, Hachette UK

Topics: Angel, Mind, Mutants, Maximum Ride

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

Topics: Cake, Waiting, Sitting, Itching

Ari smiled. The sun was shining, the weather was great, he was eating ice cream, and all his dreams were about to come true.

Topics: Dream, Ice Cream, Weather, Eating Ice Cream

Ultimately, a great thriller is a roller coaster ride. I like to think that's a promise I have never failed to keep, and one that I'd say has served my books well.

source: - "How To Write A Killer Thriller". Interview with AskMan, www.askmen.com.

Topics: Book, Thinking, Promise, Coasters, Roller Coaster Rides

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.

source: - "How to get your kid to be a fanatic reader". Interview With James Patterson, www.cnn.com. September 28, 2011.

Topics: Attitude, School, Government

The vampire underworld is much larger than most people could imagine. It exists in all the cities mentioned in the book, but also in many, many more. Teenagers, especially, seem to like to act out vampire fantasies.

Topics: Teenager, Book, Ghouls, Underworld

The subject for a lot of non-fiction is very emotional, but if you read it, it's the most boring, dry stuff. I wanted 'Torn Apart' to be extremely accessible and readable.

Topics: Emotional, Fiction, Torn Apart, Non Fiction

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)

source: - James Patterson (2007). “Saving the World and Other Extreme Sports: A Maximum Ride Novel”, p.194, Hachette UK

Topics: Winning, Feelings, Trying, You Re Welcome

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.

Topics: Silly, Sleep, Dna, Connotation, Belly Buttons

I hate this guy,” Ari muttered, keeping his head down “There’s a club,” I told him. “The Haters of ter Borcht Club. Have you gotten your badge yet?

Topics: Hate, Guy, Clubs

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

Topics: Girl, Max, Cookies, Girl Scout, Samoa

Fang felt a cold jolt, then dismissed it. Max wasn’t dead. He would know, somehow. He would have felt it. The world still felt the same to him; therefore, Max was still in it.

Topics: Max, World, Cold

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.

Topics: Sleep, Tree, Bed, Bed Time

Please, I begged silently, please do not let my last moments on earth be me crammed into a tiny boat in the dark, surrounded by mechanical singing pirates.

Topics: Dark, Pirate, Singing

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.

Topics: Octopus, Rocks, Darkness, Flashlights

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.

Topics: Home, Mean, Eye, Nevermore, Exasperation

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.

source: - "Angel: A Maximum Ride Novel". Book by James Patterson, February 14, 2011.

Topics: Dream, Kids, Dna, Warm And Fuzzy, Euphemism

They aren't the brightest crayons in the box -Max(saving the world and other extreme sports)

Topics: Sports, Max, World, Extreme Sports

Plus her mom was so awesome. She was strict about some things—don’t leave your socks lying around—but so not strict about other things, like calling the cops about my bullet wound.

source: - James Patterson (2005). “The Angel Experiment: A Maximum Ride Novel”, p.46, Hachette UK

Topics: Mom, Lying, Calling

She didn't flirt with him, but they hung out together a lot, and every time I saw their heads bent over a computer screen or map, it made my stomach clench. And my teeth. And my fists.

source: - James Patterson (2008). “Maximum Ride: The Final Warning”, p.149, Random House

Topics: Flirting, Together, Teeth, Computer Screen

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.

Topics: Upset, Trying, Faces, Digestive System

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?

Topics: Couple, School, Cutting

We try not to encourage demonstrations of his mastery of the gaseous arts.

Topics: Art, Trying, Mastery

Max-I'm not going to die today.

Topics: Max, Today, Maximum Ride

It gets so tiring, this strong-picking-on-the-weak stuff. It was the story of my life -literally- and it seemed to be a big part of the outside world too. I was sick of it, sick of guys like these, stupid and bullying.

Topics: Bullying, Strong, Stupid

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.

Topics: Kids, Eye, Blue, Stoic, Fangs

We'll all go out together when we go. Yes, we'll all go out together when we go. Oh, how the world will die From great fire in the sky. Yes, we'll all go out together when we go." (Total) Call me old fashioned but I'll take 'She'll Be Coming 'Round the Mountain' any day.

Topics: Fire, Sky, Together

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

Topics: Air, Smell, Okay

I had to give him props, but how annoying of him to be a hero when I was trying so hard to dislike him. It was downright selfish.

source: - "Angel: A Maximum Ride Novel". Book by James Patterson, February 14, 2011.

Topics: Selfish, Hero, Giving, Trying So Hard, Maximum Ride

Gazzy: "Just Ten?" Angel: "No." Gazzy: "Five?" Angel: "No.

Topics: Angel, Maximum Ride, Five

you'll see, jαne,' he promised her. 'you'll forget me, αnd it won't hurt tomorrow. besides, you sαid it yourself: love meαns you cαn never be αpαrt. so we'll never be αpαrt, jαne, becαuse i love you so much. i'll αlwαys, αlwαys love you.

Topics: Hurt, Love You, Use, Forget Me, Love You So Much

There's always be a me and you.

The hardest mysteries to solve are the ones you come to near the end, because there isn't enough evidence, not enough to unravel, unless somehow you can go all the way back to the beginning - rewind and replay everything.

source: - James Patterson (2008). “Cross Country: (Alex Cross 14)”, p.11, Random House

Topics: Way, Mystery, Enough, Rewind, Replay

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.

Topics: Rip, Trying, Stronger

I didn't think he was a robot...but I did wonder if his emotions had been designed out of him. Of course, with a guy, how could I tell? Ha ha!

Topics: Thinking, Guy, Robots

"I can talk to fish!" Angel said happily, water dripping off her long, skinny body. "Ask one over for dinner," Fang said, joining us.

source: - "Maximum Ride: School's Out Forever". Book by James Patterson, May, 2006.

Topics: Angel, Long, Water, Maximum Ride

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.

source: - "Maximum Ride: Saving the World and Other Extreme Sports". Book by James Patterson, May 29, 2007.

Topics: Angel, Names, White, Maximum Ride

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.

Topics: Love You, Home, House, Ledges, Cardboard Boxes

happy all life for ever

You know, when you're right, that's all you get to be.

source: - James Patterson (2010). “Maximum Ride Boxed Set #1”, p.657, Hachette UK

Topics: Knows

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.

Topics: New York, Book, Ghouls, Underworld

At that moment I had no mind to change, or not change, or throw against the nearest wall.

source: - "Maximum Ride: School's Out Forever". Book by James Patterson, May 23, 2006.

Topics: Wall, Mind, Moments, Maximum Ride

Max, if you survive your final test, can you steal me one of those magic outfits for me?" I'll try to get one for each of us. Hey! 'If'?

Topics: Magic, Trying, Max

Iggy: "I'll grab a zebra; Gaz, you fill all the bubbles with your trademark scent. so people are choking and gagging; and let's throw beef jerky in their eyes! Now, that's a plan!

Topics: Zebras, Eye, Beef Jerky, Trademarks, Maximum Ride

You looove me. You love me this much.

source: - "Maximum Ride: Saving the World and Other Extreme Sports". Book by James Patterson, May 29, 2007.

Topics: Arms

Right now, America looks like a fatheaded, shortsighted, gas-guzzling arrogant blowhard to the rest of the world.

Topics: America, Looks, Arrogant, Blowhards

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.

Topics: Beach, Sorry, Heart, Saying Sorry, Acknowledgment