Hit Lit

DISCOVER THE SECRETS OF WHAT MAKES A MEGA-BESTSELLER IN THIS ENTERTAINING, REVELATORY GUIDE What do Michael Corleone, Jack Ryan, and Scout Finch have in common? Creative writing professor and thriller writer James W. Hall knows. Now, in this entertaining, revelatory book, he reveals how bestsellers work, using twelve twentieth-century blockbusters as case studies—including The Godfather, Gone with the Wind, To Kill a Mockingbird, and Jaws. From tempting glimpses inside secret societies, such as submariners in The Hunt for Red October, and Opus Dei in The Da Vinci Code, to vivid representations of the American Dream and its opposite—the American Nightmare—in novels like The Firm and The Dead Zone, Hall identifies the common features of mega-bestsellers. Including fascinating and little-known facts about some of the most beloved books of the last century, Hit Lit is a must-read for fiction lovers and aspiring writers alike, and makes us think anew about why we love the books we love.

DISCOVER THE SECRETS OF WHAT MAKES A MEGA-BESTSELLER IN THIS ENTERTAINING, REVELATORY GUIDE What do Michael Corleone, Jack Ryan, and Scout Finch have in common? Creative writing professor and thriller writer James W. Hall knows. Now, in this entertaining, revelatory book, he reveals how bestsellers work, using twelve twentieth-century blockbusters as case studies—including The Godfather, Gone with the Wind, To Kill a Mockingbird, and Jaws. From tempting glimpses inside secret societies, such as submariners in The Hunt for Red October, and Opus Dei in The Da Vinci Code, to vivid representations of the American Dream and its opposite—the American Nightmare—in novels like The Firm and The Dead Zone, Hall identifies the common features of mega-bestsellers. Including fascinating and little-known facts about some of the most beloved books of the last century, Hit Lit is a must-read for fiction lovers and aspiring writers alike, and makes us think anew about why we love the books we love.

Sonia is twenty years old and alone in the world. Her parents died in a mysterious bombing accident, and shes been living with her aunt and uncle ever since. When things suddenly go awry, the truth comes out: Sonias parents death was no accident. They were set up, and they left a very important list for their little girl. Sonias aunt and uncle flee with their family, because Sonia is now set on a dangerous mission. Her parents left her a list of people she has to kill in order to avenge them and stay alive. She is prepared for this undertaking, but she is shocked to discover her high school crush is part of the plan, as well. She must train him to become a killer, too. Slowly, Sonia forms a talented team. She travels all over India in search of villains on her parents hit list. Relationships form between team members, as do suspicions. After all, can killers really trust each other? There are ten targets and one team. Will they catch and kill the traitors, or will something go horribly awry, just like the murder of Sonias parents?

"Ted loves talking about hitting and he knows what he's talking about."--Hank Aaron, Major League Baseball's All-Time Home Run King The giants of hitting--legends like Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, and Joe DiMaggio--make everyone's list. But it takes the batting savvy of the last man to hit .400 in a season to make the close calls between Hank Aaron and Willie Mays or to distinguish the great hitters from very good ones. Using statistical information and his personal expertise, legendary Boston Red Sox slugger Ted Williams gives you his no-holds-barred opinions on the best of the best. His sometimes surprising choices are based not only on players' career stats but also their discipline and devotion to the sport they love. In this paperback edition of the bestselling "Ted Williams' Hit List," "Teddy Ballgame" calls 'em as he sees 'em and offers his take on baseball giants such as: - Ty Cobb - Rogers Hornsby - Willie Mays - Mickey Mantle - Mike Schmidt - - Stan Musial - "Shoeless" Joe Jackson - Hank Greenberg - Frank Robinson - Jimmie Foxx - Ralph Kiner - and more! Williams also sounds off on the players who in his opinion should have been much better and reveals the names of the pitchers who gave him the most trouble. Alongside Williams' thoughts are photographs, many rarely published, of the greatest hitters of all time, including the Splendid Splinter himself. For fans of all ages, "Ted Williams' Hit List" offers a glimpse into the glorious past and serves as a valuable reminder of what is still great about our "National Pastime."