Nineteen Minutes (↑)

I've finished another Jodi Picoult book, this one being Nineteen Minutes. It's an amazing book, and truly thought provoking. It delves into the social hierarchy of teenagers and children, and what kind of psychological damage it can cause to the unlucky folk who are considered the social outcasts. When I went to school, I wasn't bullied, but I definitely wasn't popular. People liked me yes, but I was one of those weird kids. I had a few friends, but none who I could call my 'best friend'. I think back on it, and honestly, all I remember from high school was the work, I don't remember the fun I had with friends, I remember the feelings of being left out when we had to work in partners, and how I didn't want to work with the weird kid in our class because I didn't want it to seem like I actually LIKED him (even though I did consider him a friend). I'm just as bad as they were for teasing him. While reading this book, I ran into a girl I worked with and knew from high school, and it seems that she has changed. She actually stopped me in the grocery store to ask how I was doing, what I was up to and whatnot. I was amazed that I was the one fidgeting and trying to escape, while she was fine with talking to me. It almost seemed as if she cared about what I was saying and doing, which is a change from high school.

I also wonder if this has changed from high school. As in, in the real world, does this social hierarchy still occur? Only instead of being popular, it's your job that allows you to stay at the top of the chain? I almost feel like attempting to write a story about it, and see how it turns out. We'll see if that occurs.

This novel follows the aftermath of a school shooting in New Hampshire. Exploring the secrets that each of the characters harbour, and trying to see how it might play a part in the shooting. The one thing I didn't really enjoy about the novel is that, Picoult mentions the shooter's older brother being killed by drunk driver, but that's about all. She doesn't explore the idea that perhaps the older brother played a part in the fatal accident, but of course, this might actually draw away from the story itself, so I suppose it's better left undiscovered. Of course, there is a twist at the end of this novel, but for me, it's one I was actually expecting. I kind of had a feeling that it was leading up to this conclusion. Either way, it was another novel by Picoult that I just couldn't put down. Well done!

I'm trying to decide whether I should start another one of her novels, if it would be better if I moved on to something else. But honestly, I think I want to read the last new novel I have of hers, and then move onwards to another author. Until next time, Happy Reading!

Handle With Care (↑)

I attempted to read another book before this one, and I just couldn't do it. It was as if the author was trying to make the novel as suspenseful as she could, but instead, it made the novel just seem silly. Suspenseful novels are suppose to be natural, not forced, and that one was definitely forced. Anyway, this past weekend I went on a trip to Maine, and during that trip I read a Jodi Picoult novel, Handle With Care. It was a magnificent novel. Although, I had to read most of it while listening to Blue Collar Comedy Channel while we were driving. I'm not one to read with music (nonetheless talking) occurring, I wasn't able to focus very well. I was still able to get the gist of what was going on in most of the chapters I read. This novel deals with a controversial subject (like most of her novels do), and she handles it perfectly! She didn't force me to choose sides within the novel, but rather allowed us to come to our own decisions about the outcome.  I doubt many people would become offended (hopefully anyway) but it's hard to be sure.

Anyway, this novel is about a family who had a child born with a severe bone abnormality (osteogenesis imperfecta) which caused her to have severe disabilities during her life. On a family vacation, something comes about that causes the mother to decide to sue her obstetrician (who's also her best friend at the time) for wrongful birth. Wrongful birth means that parent was not given the choice to abort the child because they were not informed of the child's deformities before birth, and the severe disabilities the child would have. Although it sounds like a horrible lawsuit, the mother was really only doing it for the money so that her daughter could lead a fulfilling life she should be allowed to live. Anyway, it follows the family throughout the lawsuit, switching between the characters, all talking to the little girl, explaining their thoughts on the matter, along with what's happening.

The one thing I didn't really enjoy about the novel is that it follows a very standard style, that Jodi Picoult established in her previous novels. It always follows a mother who's doing what she does to protect 1 of her children, while ignoring the other. It also always finishes with a twist, and a quick one, as if she didn't know how to finish it, or didn't want to finish it with a happy ending. This complaint is only a minor one, so I can't hate her novels (mostly because I enjoy the subject matter too much). All in all, I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed the book, and would recommend it to my friends. I'm going to read another one of her novels for the next blog. Until then, Happy Reading!

The Forgotten Garden (↑)

I've finished another novel. It's a mystery. But not like others I've read which are about solving the mystery of a serial killer, or something. It's more the unravelling of an unknown past. I'm always amazed at authors and how they are able to create intricate stories in a way that I wouldn't be able to. I've tried writing stories, but most of mine tend to be fluff, no real substance, no intricate details, or twisting plot lines. I suppose if I had a really vivid imagination, or just put my mind to it, I'm sure I could come up with a lovely little tale, but I really have no urge. Anyway, this novel didn't really have many faults. Sometimes I found that it dragged on, and it was one of those books that you really have to read about 100 pages before you're really into the book. I also found at times that it was a tad long (500+ pages), but I wasn't ready to count down the pages when I was nearing the end.

I guess I should introduce the novel by saying what the title was and the author's name. It's The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton. The novel follows a woman named Cassandra who is attempting to unravel the unknown past of her grandmother after she passed away. It starts out in Australia, but moves to a coastal fishing village in Cornwall. It involves the story-telling of 3 generations of that family, and it switched between 3 times: early 1900's, 1970's and the present (well 2005). It's told incredibly well, and has many twists and turns along the way. Although it was a mystery, I figured out the main mystery quite easily and before the main characters, but of course, I found out mostly because I had the background story to go from, unlike Cassandra who only had information of family members, and other minor characters to go from. The minor details I didn't figure out until the very end, not that that really mattered much.

All in all, it's a well written novel and I would recommend it to friends who want a good old fashioned family mystery novel. Anyway, until next time, Happy Reading!