Book Club Favorite Jodi Picoult's New Novel is On Sale Today!

Jodi Picoult's new novel, Change of Heart, is on sale today and in what's sure to be her next reading group hit, she asks the question: could you forgive someone you hate to save someone you love?

You can see a promotional video narrated by Jodi for the book here, and read an excerpt here, a Q&A here, and check out the reading group guide here.

I'm curious to know how many of you have read one of Jodi Picoult's novels in your book groups. Send me a note in the comments about which one you've read and what you thought. I'll send a copy of either The Pact or Keeping Faith to the first 20 commenters.

Comments

[Jenne]

One of my bookclubs read Nineteen Minutes last month. It was chosen before the Virginia Tech shootings and discussed after the NIU shootings. I wasn't able to make the meeting but it did bring back a lot of bad memories for me. When I was in high school, there was a suicide cluster during my senior year and it was tough to read for me.

I read my Sister's Keeper on my own last year. I enjoyed it a great deal. I am still amazed that the young teen could keep a secret like that for so long with all that pressure.

[Claire]

I read My Sister's Keeper with a group of grade nine students. What a great book for this age group! We had many interesting discussions, although the group was disappointed by the ending..

[Lisa]

My book club hasn't read anything by Picoult since I've been a member (two years) although they've been meeting for around five years. I'll have to check with them and see.

[Julie P.]

I am a huge Jodi Picoult fan! A few years ago, my book club read KEEPING FAITH. It was a terrific discussion book! My entire book club enjoyed the book too (and that doesn't always happen.)

[Anne F. Clancy]

Our Book Club read My Sister's Keeper and loved it. We rate our books and My Sister's Keeper earned a 9 out of a possible 10.
I'm eager to read the new title.

[Swapna]

We've read Nineteen Minutes - powerful book! By the sound of these comments, looks like we need to read My Sister's Keeper next...

[Kristen S.]

We read My Sister's Keeper and it was one of the few books that we all loved, however, we did have different opinions about a few of her other books.
No matter what, they are always great books to discuss.

[Barbara C]

Our book club read My Sister's Keeper back in 2005. As I recall, the book generated quite a bit of discussion, especially about the issue of more or less using one child to keep another child alive. We particularly enjoyed the fact that the book was set in Rhode Island as the RI state border is only 10 miles away from the library where we hold our book club meetings. I think Jodi Picoult's books are always topical, always good discussion starters.

[Miriam]

My book club just did My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult and that was the first book by her that I have read. Her plot twists are amazing! I would like to read more of her books- esp Keeping Faith which I hope to get by sending in a comment. Most of the members gave My Sister's Keeper a positive review.

[Jenn J]

My book club read "My Sister's Keeper", and it probably prompted the most discussion we've had. Picoult's books really have a way of making you think. I've read MSK about 3 times, and each time I've felt differently about the ending. I'm still, to this day, not sure who I agree with. Should a child be allowed to decide what is done with her body? Are the parents thinking of her at all? It's hard to say much w/o giving the ending away!

[Kohinoor]

My book club is discussing Nineteen Minutes in May. I haven't read the book yet but I know it's about school shooting. I'm sure the discussion will bring up bad memories for me. I was in 11th grade when the shooting at Columbine occurred, followed by a threat of a copycat situation in my own school. I wonder what everyone else will think while reading the book.

[Cynthia Baxter]

We read The Tenth Circle - a little off of the beaten path - but the discussion was very interesting in that it divided the group into: those with children at home and those who are now "empty nesters" - so the reaction to the book's content was just as divided. A consensus came from those of us who have adult children: This is the hardest thing to do as a parent - allowing your adult child to make mistakes that may (and probably will) affect them for years if not ever. This was contested of course - but we prevailed. I want to read Nineteen Minutes very badly - I had two in high school at the time of Columbine and one in grade school still. I was a nervous wreck back then...so I'm curious to see what my rxn to Nineteen Minutes will be. Hmmm...

[Tom Proven]

We made a special point of heading to the bookstore after work this evening to pick this one up. My wife is a HUGE Jodi fan. She even bought the comic books! I haven't read any, myself, but they are somewhere on the giant stack of to-read.
Not much to add - just had to share. It's almost like a movie premiere. :-)

nr: Balzac and The Little Chinese Seamstress

[Julie E.]

Like several others, my book group read "My Sister's Keeper" and it ended up being a great choice. The ethical questions made for an interesting discussion, and the readable style meant everyone in the group enjoyed it and was able to finish it.

[Lauren]

We read Plain Truth in my Book Group recently and had a great discussion about the Amish way of life, teen pregnancy, family loyalty, etc. From there, I became a big Picoult fan and read My Sisters Keeper and Picture Perfect in a matter of about 2 weeks. I would love to win a copy of Keeping Faith, because that is one I do not have!

[Tisa]

We read My Sister's Keeper and really opened the door for discussion. I've been really looking forward to reading more by Picoult! ~ :)

[Michelle]

My book group read My Sister's Keeper. Really a good discussion, especially since one of our member's has a son that beat Leukemia. She really added some great parental insights.

I LOVE Jodi Picoult. I would love Keeping Faith since I have not read that book, yet!

[Kari]

We read Vanishing Acts in my book earlier this year. Our group really enjoyed this book as it sparked interesting discussion. They were really interested in the characters and their personalities. They disliked some of the details of the jailhouse situations. Too much for them! I agree I love Picoult, I was turned on to her by a friend and have enjoyed every book I've read so far. I haven't read Keeping Faith so I'd love to win a copy of that.

[Pam]

Our book club has read "My Sister's Keeper" and "Plain Truth." It's unusual for us to repeat authors within a couple of years, as we like to explore new voices, but there was so much support for Jodi Picoult's books that she became our first repeat author.
I think both of the books that we read appealed to us on many levels, but also gave us "juicy bits" to keep our discussion lively.

[Jenn]

"Nineteen Minutes" by far was my favorite Picoult book. I'd say that it's due to the timeliness of the storyline. The VA Tech shooting occured within a week of the book's release. Picoult's characters are all so genuine and believable. I feel like I'm right there, built into the storyline.