Sing You Home

by Jodi Piccoult.

What a horrible book to read when you're pregnant, at least the beginning. I don't want to give much away but the beginning is HARD to read. The basic premise of the book deals with infertility, and then later religion and alternative lifestyles (lesbian).

Honestly, parts of the book were hard to listen to, I think the author did an amazing job being as objective as she could but it's hard for me to listen to someone's point of view that is so closed minded. The religious parts were not bad, it's the hatred that underlies it that were hard for me to stomach.

In general though the book was great as usual and while I think the ending was kind of 'convenient', it was heart warming. While not a surprise, the characters acted more quickly than i would have thought based on the rest of the book so it didn't seem too realistic to me.

All in all I'm very glad I read it, even with the beginning being hard to get through. I really liked the song tracks at the start of each chapter and the very first song is SO touching as it's sung to her unborn child and brings tears to my eyes whenever I listen to it now!

House Rules

by Jodi Piccoult.

This book is about a family, a single Mother Ella who has two sons Jacob and Theo. Jacob has Aspergers and is obsessed with crime scene investigation. When his social skills tutor ends up dead and missing and eventually found he gets tried for her murder.

Like all of her books this one is difficult to read, it's hard to read the truth when you don't want it to be that way. You also know a twist might be coming so you can't settle and relax, there are not always happy endings in real life. I can't read a lot of her books in order but once in a while I give them a try and then go back to my lighter reading.

This one didn't meet expectation, I learned a lot about Autism, specifically Aspergers but the mystery was disappointing and the ending even more so (and not for the reason I was thinking). I won't give more than that away because I'm glad I read it but don't think you'll feel totally contented in the end.

Change of Heart

by Jodi Picoult.

I finished this book Friday night (around 2am)! I thoroughly enjoyed what the author did with this book and as always I loved the ending (sometimes I don't love the ending but appreciate them). This book dealt with the death penalty and religion. I really like how the author can delve into huge issues without getting preachy. The story itself is just enchanting.. about halfway through i was thinking "I know where this is going to go - no surprises - but this is Jodi Picoult so it probably is a surprise" -- and I was right - I was able to guess some things but not all and was very pleased.

I haven't decided what to read next, being a mini vacation i wanted something light but my "next up" book is not a light one so I'm listening to the end of Master of Dragons instead for now and will put off the new book decision until at least tomorrow!

Garden Spells

by Sarah Addison Allen.

This book is awesome. It falls under the same category that I would put Like Water for Chocolate. Some mystique, some magic, some love, some loss. Great character development and so much fun with a touch of magic throughout.

I picked this up as a new start Friday night, planning to get a good hour before bed in. Next thing I know it's almost 2am and I decided I couldn't put it down until I finished it (4am) so it's another 5 hour read! I was enchanted and fell in love with the characters. It was extremely satisfying!

Next up I started Jodi Picoult's newest book "Change of Heart" last night and got a good 4 hours into it - not even halfway yet! It's very good, I'm not sure where it's going to go, whenever I read her books they feel predictable, like I can't be satisfied because I just know how it will end but she ALWAYS surprises me so I hold on. Generally it's not a sacrifice since the characters are so well done, this is no different. Of course all these late nights and my head is mad at me (read: Migraine) so today has not been fun trying to work!

Jodi Picoult Book Signing

Since this is my reading blog -

Last night we went to a book signing in Acton! I got the new book by Jodi Picoult "Change of Heart" and I can't wait to read it! Jodi read an excerpt and answered questions which was way more than happened at BJ's when she just signed books!

Now I have 6 books of hers signed out of 7 that I own - it's great! Plus both hardcovers I have are personalized too!

It's so very exciting to meet an author you really respect, she's very articulate and educated, it was a real treat to listen to her speak.

And then I went home and finished reading Water for Elephants so I could start a new book :)

Jodi Picoult

For my own memory - the books I've read or listened to:

Audiobooks:
My Sister's Keeper - my favorite
Plain Truth - amish farm
Vanishing Acts - search and rescue, memory
Second Glance - ghost story
The Tenth Circle - date rape, Alaska

Book Form:
Perfect Match - child abuse (own)
Nineteen Minutes - school shooting (own)

What's left to read:
Change of Heart (own)
Salem Falls
Keeping Faith (own)
The Pact (own)
Mercy
Picture Perfect
Harvesting the Heart
Songs of the Humpback Whale (own)

Nineteen Minutes - Finished

by Jodi Piccoult

I finished this book Friday night. I was very very happy with it. One thing I really like about Jodi Piccoult books is that she doesn't skimp on the ending. I'm never disappointed that things didn't get finished or something. This one was no different.

I think this book was probably one of her best, I rank it up there with My Sister's Keeper. I haven't disliked any of her books so far and I've read about 5 or 6.

Next up I'm reading "The Jane Austen Book Club" by Karen Joy Fowler. I'm on chapter 2 and thoroughly enjoying it so far!

Nineteen Minutes

by Jodi Piccoult

I'm more than halfway done with this now. It's a good read. It's about a school shooting, similar to "We need to talk about Kevin" in that, but only in that. The characters are all easy to relate to and very deep. The writing is of course great. (This all contrasts "...Kevin"). I don't know where it's going exactly but I'm enjoying reading it and always get emotionally involved with her books.

I got a TON of new books for xmas, not sure what will be up next, I got 3 new Jodi Piccoult and so much more.. decisions!