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Join in the discussion here, post your Odd Thomas comments and opinions. I read this book a few years ago and gave it 5 stars.

I just re-read Odd Thomas last summer. I gave it 4 stars. I'm not going to be re-reading it again this soon, but of course, I'll join in the discussion anyway :-)

Actually, I just checked and I only gave Odd Thomas 3 stars. I'm going to openly admit, I'm not a huge Odd Thomas Fan. My favorite of the series so far,is Brother Odd.

It might not come as a huge surprise but I'm propably going to bash this one as well...:D

I don't plan to re-read, I liked it when I read it a few years back. I'll be sure to post here as new comments come in. I have the others books in the Odd Series which I may get to later this year.

My favorite of the series is Brother Odd. My second favorite is Odd Hours... but my opinion is really "The Odd One" :-) I like Brother Odd for the supernatural element and the setting (Monastery in a Blizzard :-) I believe Koontz actually referenced this particular monastery, St. Barts, at the end of Dead and Alive (if I remember right)

I liked the interesting characters in Odd Hours - The Lady of the Bell, The Monster lady, and the dog of course. You can read my review of Odd Hours in the discussion topic that I created for reviews under Recommendations and Favorites.

Sounds good, looking forward to exploring more in the Odd series.

Rachel wrote: "(Grumble, grumble, grumble)

Not sure if I will read this one again. I know a lot of people who really like the Odd books, but I am just not one of them. Are the other books better than the first..."

I've read three books from this series and they keep disappointing. The second was just standard Koontz and the third was a huge letdown. But of course that's just my thinking.

Rachel wrote: "I am starting to think you might be in the wrong book group Maciek... lol.

Have you liked any of the Koontz books you have read?"

I can answer that one! Maciek has liked Dragon Tears and House of Thunder among other titles. Maciek is a critic but I've enjoyed reading his comments. Perhaps Maciek has found his role in this group what is the word I'm think of ? Critic? Antagonist? I'm not good with big words but I bet you've got a word for Maciek, huh Rachel? :-)

Rachel, I noticed you just started reading The Taking! This was another that Maciek liked :-)

Glad your a fast reader :-) I'm not, but I look forward to seeing you in The Good Guy discussion

Rachel wrote: "I have a 40 minute bus ride each way every day, so I get a lot of time to read."

Yes, I've had that time before too :-) I used to listen to audiobooks on my commute and when I did take public transportation I'd have a book. Now with the kids my reading revolves around them. Right now I'm basically a stay at home dad. Can't listen to audio books when I've got the kids in the van and can't read a book when I've got them on the bus. In the summer I was able to read a lot while they were playing at the park, soccer or watching them in the backyard (we didn't have a fence at our last place so I always had to be out with them - we just moved in Nov and have a nice big fenced backyard :-) On Tuesdays and Thursdays, both the kids are in school and I can sometimes listen to audiobooks while trying to get things done around the house. Today I'm taking my daughter to her swimming lesson - I'll get a few minutes to read then... of course I've got myself currently reading 5 different books at once. I'm insane.

Rachel wrote: "I am starting to think you might be in the wrong book group Maciek... lol.

Have you liked any of the Koontz books you have read?"

Well actually I have. His imagination is great and I enjoy reading his novels. That's why I'm so sad that I find most of his recent work so very, very disappointing...

And actually my post are ALL about content. I don't say "this sucks". I say "I didn't like it, because..." I always have arguments to support my thesis and over the years I've gotten responses like "you're stupid" or "you have no taste". No one ever tried to argue with me. That's why I like this group because we all can acknowledge each other's opinions. If you liked the book - then good for you !;)

And I think that it is both a matter of taste and competency on Koontz's part. I think that rushing out two books a year doesn't do much good; he might ocassionally put out a nice one (The Taking) but most of the time they will be just ok, or even plainly bad. The man needs to give himself a little rest and concentrate on his stories and characters.

Dustin man, thanks for having my back ! I owe you one !

Well, as they say, beauty is in the eye of the beholder :) Maybe that's why so many people enjoy the Twilight saga which i personally don't like at all. If we're talking about one dimensional novels then those are propably the best examples.

Heh, even Koontz romances beat the crap out of Twilight. This stuff is so bland that I wonder how it got published.

I've read the first 3 Odd books. I started the 4th, and was about half way through when I lost it at the pedicure salon. I liked the first 2 the best. I don't think I'll reread it right now. I liked the idea of him talking to and helping spirits move on. And I would have thought Maciek would have liked it. It didn't have that "happily ever after" he says Koontz is good for. Maybe happy for some, but not Odd.

Lori wrote: ". And I would have thought Maciek would have liked it. It didn't have that "happily ever after" he says Koontz is good for."

I would, had he not spoiled the book at the beginning ! That totally ruined it for me and that's one of the reasons for my passionate dislike.

I know i'm not the brightest crayon in the box, but what do you mean? Spoiled at the beginning.

Lori wrote: " I know i'm not the brightest crayon in the box, but what do you mean? Spoiled at the beginning."

I mean the Agatha Christie spoiler. I seriously wanted to punch him in the face for ruining that AMAZING book for all the unfortunate people who came across Odd Thomas first. There is no justification in that; you just don't give away the endings of other books and especially murder mysteries !
And what's worse he used EXACTLY THE SAME method as Agatha in his book, and told the reader about it ! It's completely unprofessional. That's why when the ending came I didn't cried but yawned instead: "oh really ?"
Seriously, this sucks.How an author who published so many books could commit a mistake like that ?

Maciek wrote: "There is no justification in that; you just don't give away the endings of other books and especially murder mysteries !"

*SPOILER - FALSE MEMORY*

But didn't Koontz do the same thing with the Manchurian Candidate and False Memory. The story wouldn't have been the same if he hadn't - the Manchurian Candidate played a major role in the plot. I think Koontz assumes that people are vaguely familiar with these classics. I don't know.

I watched the film of The Manchurian Candidate, starring Angela Lansbury, after reading False Memory - I still enjoyed the movie. Another film, The Matrix is also mentioned in False Memory (and also a plot spoiler). I've never watched the Matrix but I pretty much know what it's about - I think I'd still enjoy watching the movie anyway. I think including these other books/films in stories is vital - it actually increases interest in them. Just last night I was reading The Dragon in The Sock Drawer to my son, it mentions The Lion the Witch and The Wardrobe how a closet led to the world of Narnia. It actually got us interested in reading the series together.

:-) just my thoughts.

Dustin wrote: "Maciek wrote: "There is no justification in that; you just don't give away the endings of other books and especially murder mysteries !"

*SPOILER - FALSE MEMORY*

But didn't Koontz do the same thi..."

Ah Dustin, I can't take up this discussion because I don't know False Memory, and I don't like reading spoilers - you indicated that there will be a spoiler, whereas Dean did not. Argh ! It's been some time and I'm still mad about this.

Well suffice it to say - Dean included a major book and a major film into the plot of False Memory - and basically spoiled them there also but I thought they were essential for the story. Check out False Memory when you get a chance :-) It's a rather lengthy novel but it's good, it's one of his most popular also. I know Popularity, and Pages Count aren't big factors for you :-) so lets' just say it's a good one and you should give it a try when you can.

Well my point is that such actions are abominable. You can say that a situation is similar to that from the movie "XXX" but you can't say that he died just like the main hero from "XXX" ! See the difference ? And in the case of Odd Thomas we are talking about a murder mystery - when you know who is the killer the book is spoiled all the way. It's not a minor detail or a side situation - it's the main element !
Besides the whole point of using the technique that A.Christie employed in her famous work is not to let the reader know about it, When you know you immediately see the denouement coming, which is of course a bad thing. Very, very bad. And Dean did it. Why, why, why ?

Also thank you for the recomendation - I'll check out False Memory when I finally grasp some time.:)

Here's part of my comment that shouldn't spoil anything for you and you'll have to read the rest after False Memory I guess :-) I'm gonna add a spoiler alert on this comment just to be funny :-)

*SPOILER ALERT - The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe and The Dragon in the Sock Drawer (childrens books) *

I think including these other books/films in stories is vital - it actually increases interest in them. Just last night I was reading The Dragon in The Sock Drawer to my son, it mentions The Lion the Witch and The Wardrobe how a closet led to the world of Narnia. It actually got us interested in reading the series together.

:-) just my thoughts.

Now, back to Odd Thomas people?? Let's get that False Memory thread going :)

Maciek wrote: "You can say that a situation is similar to that from the movie "XXX" but you can't say that he died just like the main hero from "XXX" !..."

I didn't care for the movie XXX (read as "triple X"). :-D

It's funny because I remembered that actuallythere is a movie titled just like that, but only the middle x is in the uppercase. It's called xXx and dates back to 2002.

Maciek wrote: "It's funny because I remembered that actuallythere is a movie titled just like that, but only the middle x is in the uppercase. It's called xXx and dates back to 2002."

Yes, that is the movie I was jokingly referencing. My cousin forced me to see it with him and his father. :-/

I LOVE VIN DIESEL!!!!!! Loved XXX. Didn't care for the second one. Ice Cube as XXX sucked.

Lori wrote: " I LOVE VIN DIESEL!!!!!! Loved XXX. Didn't care for the second one. Ice Cube as XXX sucked."

I don't mind Vin Diesel (especially in Pitch Black and The Chronicles of Riddick), but xXx certainly is not a movie that appeals to me.

Pitch Black & Riddick are off the chain. It's alright I love XXX enough for us both. :)

I think I hear Matt R. coming! He's yelling "Now, back to Odd Thomas People?"

Dustin wrote: "I think I hear Matt R. coming! He's yelling "Now, back to Odd Thomas People?""

Okay, I just made an innocuous joke and it snowballed. :-P

Here I am...wow, there have been so many posts in all of the threads it is tough to keep up. I will refrain from saying "Now back to Odd" until Feb 1 (ha, ha). It is just good to see some active chatter in the threads.

Chatter, chatter, chatter! We aim to please. :)

Okay, I love the first Odd book. Koontz's animals continue to entertain me even if they have a small part. Terrible Chester is hilarious. I am half way through ( could not wait until Feb) and having trouble putting it down.

Amy - glad to see an early bird! Happy Reading :-)

Okay I am going to bow out on this monthly challenge since I have recently read Odd Thomas and really enjoyed it...I love Odd!

But I will join in any discussion that you have about it :) If I can remember what happened. I have read alot of books since then...lol

Lori wrote: " I LOVE VIN DIESEL!!!!!! Loved XXX. Didn't care for the second one. Ice Cube as XXX sucked."

Ok I know you guys didn't want to continue the Vin Diesel thread but i do have to say that the man can play in ANY movie and look yummy!

I may end up reading Forever Odd in Feb since I read Odd Thomas years ago.

Matt R. wrote: "I may end up reading Forever Odd in Feb since I read Odd Thomas years ago."

Let me know if you decide to read Forever Odd - I might give it another try :-)

I haven't had time to read all your posts today, I was busy all day long...I just had to tell y'all, though, that even though I didn't have time during the whole month of January to read that month's book, I've already read through February's selection, Odd Thomas, and will start on the second book in series, perhaps tonight. Very easy reading...lots of favorite quotations, they make me laugh...I'm curious how he's going to handle continuing the story, though, so I guess I'll just have to read, read, read...

Forever Odd (the second Odd Thomas book) is pretty short :-) Carol, if you want you can start a discussion topic for Forever Odd. I really would like to give Forever Odd a second chance :-) I read it when it first came out in 2006.

Matt R. wrote: "Now, back to Odd Thomas people?? Let's get that False Memory thread going :)"

:-) The False Memory discussion thread is now here:
http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/2...

Ha, ha...I get quoted again.

yep. So, back to Odd Thomas, :-) Are you reading this book Matt?

I know you mentioned you might read Forever Odd - Start a discussion thread when you do - I'll try to join in :-)

Dustin wrote: "I know you mentioned you might read Forever Odd - Start a discussion thread when you do - I'll try to join in :-)"

Hi Dustin, no, I read Odd Thomas a while ago and do not have time to re-read right now (too bad � I liked the book). I started Forever Odd and then got super busy with things so my reading has been VERY minimal lately. I’ll have to read that book at another time. I will probably finish Watchers in the next week or so. I should be ready to read Lightning with the group by March 1. If I start any other books which do not currently have threads, I’ll be sure to start one so others can join in.

Hi y,all. I'm about a third of the way through Forever Odd, but I don't have time either, right now, to devote time to starting that topic...maybe in a couple of weeks.

To talk about ODD THOMAS...I will copy something that I posted on the 50 Books thread...
..."Melissa, I HAVE finished Odd Thomas and I have started on the next one, Forever Odd...This is a character that kind of grows on you and I have caught myself thinking several times, 'Oh, to be twenty again!' He's just...a nice, nice boy. I was disappointed in the events at the end of the story, but I don't think the storyline was inappropriate, and it is carried on in the next book along with mention of some of the other characters.

Very smooth and easy reading. Also I just realized that one thing I like about that book, and that I expect to find in the future sequels, is that even with a lot of description the action is not hard to understand or follow. This series has a lot of dialog, maybe that has something to do with it."