{{current_date_full}}
Hi, {{first_name | friend}}!
Welcome back to Insider Pix, where we uncover what entertainment and culture insiders are watching, reaching, and listening to! Next up:
James Patterson
James Patterson is the most popular storyteller of our time and the creator of unforgettable characters and series, such as Alex Cross, the Women’s Murder Club, Jane Smith, and Maximum Ride. He is the recipient of an Edgar Award, ten Emmy Awards, the Literarian Award from the National Book Foundation, and the National Humanities Medal.
Hungry Dogs
His new podcast explores the minds of extraordinary people, from authors and musicians to actors and politicians. Listen in every Wednesday to hear him interview extraordinary guests like Dolly Parton, Matthew McConaughey, Michael J. Fox, and many more.
James’ 5 Picks
A 5-star-worthy book you’d recommend to anyone?
One I read recently is The Correspondent by Virginia Evans. It’s not loud, it’s not flashy - it just really works because the writing and characters are strong. It stays with you. We just launched the first James Patterson + Bookshop.org Prize, and independent booksellers across the country picked this as the winner. And those folks know books. They’re reading everything, they’re putting books into readers’ hands every day - so when they all agree on one as a standout, pay attention.
Go-to podcast on your weekly rotation?
I think someone who is doing it right is Mel Robbins. She’s smart, practical, and she gets to the point - you come away with something you can actually use that day. And I’ve been having a great time with my own podcast, Hungry Dogs. I love talking to people and hearing their stories. Writers, filmmakers, interesting thinkers. It’s a different way to connect with readers, and honestly, it’s just fun.
A hidden gem you wish more people knew about?
One that comes to mind is Mrs. Bridge and Mr. Bridge by Evan S. Connell. I’ve always liked stories that don’t hit you over the head, that just sort of reveal people as they are. These books do that beautifully. And they had a big influence on me early on.
Best TV show you watched recently?
I really liked Slow Horses. Gary Oldman is just terrific. And of course, Cross on Amazon Prime Video.
Best movie you watched recently?
Pix: You collaborate with a wide range of co-authors—most recently Viola Davis on Judge Stone and, famously, Dolly Parton on Run, Rose, Run. How do these partnerships come to be? And how do you typically divide the work behind the scenes with them?
JP: It’s different with every coauthor, but it usually starts with an idea. I meet someone like Viola Davis or Dolly Parton, and I’m interested in their voice and the way they see the world. Same with someone like MrBeast - totally different space, but he understands storytelling like no one I have met before. And from there, it’s just two people going back and forth to make the book better for readers.
And honestly, the best part of these partnerships is the friendships.
Pix: You’ve long been a vocal supporter of children’s literacy. What advice do you have for parents of reluctant readers? And what kinds of books first got you hooked as a kid?
JP: If a kid doesn’t like a book, put it down and find something else. There’s a book out there for every kid - you just have to find the one that clicks. I loved stories that moved. Adventure, suspense, and interesting characters. That’s still what I chase as a writer.