Figurative Language

similes- a figure of speech in which things that are different are compared by the use of the words "like" or "as"
metaphors- a figure of speech in which is similar to a simile, but does NOT use the words "like" or "as"

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5 similes:

1. "There's nothing worse than silence, strung like heavy beads on too delicate a conversation."(61)
2. "Unlike the doctors, who fidget like they need to be somewhere else, the nurses patiently answer us as if we are the first set of parents to ever have this kind of meeting with them, instead of the thousandth."(61)
3. "He is talking about my little girl as if she is some kind of machine: a car with a faulty carburetor, a plan whose landing gear is stuck."(66)
4. "Kate's ribs seem as thin as matchsticks, and there is a large gray blot just off the center."(69)
5. "Kate's face looks as tiny and white as those distant moons that Brian likes to spot in his telescope- still, remote, cold."(70)

5 metaphors:

1. "In our family, it is a cardinal sin to page my father away."(53)
2. "My father's voice is an ax."(54)
3. "A few seconds later, the door closes, and the hall light that has been dancing on the ceiling disappears."(58)
4. "He is tall and rail-thin, with snapping blue eyes.."(59)
5. "I turn around slowly, tears springing to my eyes."(66)

I think that when similes and metaphors are added to any type of text, it helps you understand or really get a feel for things.  Text even as simple as in My Sisters Keeper by Jodi Picoult, is still much more personable and understandable when you use figure of speech.  I like reading books with similes and metaphors because it helps me use my imagination and really think about what is being portrayed through text.