A chilling page turner

Nineteen Minutes

By: Jodi Picoult

I knew that I wanted to read this book, when I read her interview in The Tenth Circle stating what her next topic would be, but I was unaware when my aunt placed this book into my hands that this was the book I'd been coveting the most.

School shootings.

The topic has always fascinated me. More often than not, weeks before the event, I would have found the shooter to be a sympathetic character. The victims are people that days before, I would have rolled my eyes at while reading about them. This book was no exception. Told in a spectacular non linear fashion, we witness the shooting, the investigations and the trial, all the while reading flashbacks spanning back seventeen years. All the while, the book was causing me to examine my own beliefs and wonder how I would react in such a situation.

I often forget, how different a time it is for the teenagers of today and my age group, despite the short age gap. School shootings existed when I was in high school, but it was only in my senior year that Columbine occurred and this tragedy really came to the public's eyes.

The characters, as always, fascinated me. The mother of the shooter. The man defending the shooter, because everyone deserved a fair trial. The popular girl who was found passed out at the scene of the crime. And her mother, the town's judge. Each character struggles with their own fears, opinions and demons and as the reader, you struggle with them.

It's not perfect, but I will say it is perhaps my favourite of hers that I have read yet.

February/March

For two days now, I've been attempting to fill out my recap of the past two months. Unfortunately, I have found it nearly impossible to rank these books. So, in no particular order, some thoughts.

Without You - What can I really say about this book? Those who know me well, know that anything that ties into Rent already has my heart, and this book had me from the first page (in which Anthony is going to audition for the workshop of that show). Furthermore, those who know me, also know that I'm a sucker for parent/child relationships, so a book about Rent and a sick mother really won me over from the premise. The fact that this book happened to be a touchingly well written tale was the chocolate on the cake. So to speak.

Emma - Again, what can I say? Emma is a funny and charming main character who I adored reading about for a months time. And, while I was annoyed that it took me so long to get through the book, how many other books on this list would I have had such patience with? Furthermore, how many books have I never gotten through, because I couldn't put them down for a few days and get back into them? (Interview with a Vampire, I'm looking at you). No, I'm glad this was my Jane Austin novel, as it was a perfect way to dip my toes into her world.

Shopaholic & Baby - As much as I loved it, I do wonder, how much is that love based on this actual book, and how much is based on the other four works that I've read? The first two Becky Bloomwood novels are by far the best, but the other three definitely live up to the standard they've set for each other. Going into the book, I expected to be bothered by the silly plot twists, but they worked well and I enjoyed myself. A worthy addition to the series.

Picture Perfect and The Tenth Circle - I list these two novels together, because they both had similar effects on me. For days after reading, thoughts of them circled through my mind. The questions that were raised, and a sincere desire to discuss the issues presented within these books with others who have read them. I know that I have been made a fan of Jodi Picoult and have decided each month to read another of her books. Spousal abuse and Rape. What will I read about next?

The Notebook - I wonder, how many of my thoughts on this book are coloured by how great the movie was. The movie really did to fix flaws that I wasn't even aware of within the novel. Would a second read solve the issues I had? It was good, but I'm starting to get the feeling that Nicholas Sparks isn't for me.

Water for Elephants - This book was fun. It made me very curious about the circus, and wishing for a movie adaptation of this novel. I'm not sure if I'm ready to give the author's other works a try, but I would recommend this book for anyone in the mood for a depression era fairy tale. Without actual fairies.


Currently Reading: Catcher in the Rye. One friend of mine said that by the time he read it, he was a bit too old to really enjoy it. Let's see if my love of the young adult novel and flighty teenagers makes up for my 10 years on our main character.