So, I made a resolution to read at least 12 books during 2012…and I want to share that journey with you all! I figure if I share my progress with the world, it might keep me accountable; I don’t want to fail this year!
I somehow managed to finish my first book of the year before January ended; hopefully I can keep myself on track!
Book 1: Vanishing Acts by Jodi Picoult
I have heard MANY people talk about their love for Jodi Picoult books in the past. This was my very first foray into her writing (crazy, right? I feel like I had to have been living under a rock). In hindsight, I probably should have started with one of the “big ones,” like My Sister’s Keeper.
Vanishing Acts was ok. It wasn’t the best book I’ve ever read, but it wasn’t the worst. However, I did start reading it back in 2011, put it down for MONTHS, and then returned to read most of it in 2012. I never do that with books…so that has to say something for my interest level. Here’s a short description (from Goodreads)
Delia Hopkins has led a charmed life. Raised in rural New Hampshire by her widowed father, Andrew, she now has a young daughter, a handsome fiance, and her own search-and-rescue bloodhound, which she uses to find missing persons. But as Delia plans her wedding, she is plagued by flashbacks of a life she can’t recall. And then a policeman knocks on her door, revealing a secret that changes the world as she knows it.” In shock and confusion, Delia must sift through the truth – even when it jeopardizes her life and the lives of those she loves. What happens when you learn you are not who you thought you were? When the people you’ve loved and trusted suddenly change before your eyes? When getting your deepest wish means giving up what you’ve always taken for granted? Vanishing Acts explores how life – as we know it – might not turn out the way we imagined; how doing the right thing could mean doing the wrong thing; how the memory we thought had vanished could return as a threat.
Overall, it was an easy read…and the plot line really didn’t surprise me. You can pretty much figure out what is going to happen from the first few pages into the book. The book does switch around in perspective between the different characters (so you see the different sides of their experiences), but with all of the switching around I really think you miss out on character development.
If you’re looking for an easy read at the beach or the pool, this book might be right up your alley. However, I don’t know that I’d recommend it in the end! Moving on to book #2…The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown.
Oh, and if you aren’t already…be friends with me on Goodreads!
Have you read Vanishing Acts? If so, what did you think of it? Would you recommend that I pick up another Jodi Picoult book in the future?
I am a big Jodi Picoult fan, and I think I’ve read most, but not this one! You should have started with the Pact! My sister’s keeper, change of heart, 19 minutes or the 10th circle are my top books that i loved. I am reading one (house rules) I can’t get into right now too, and I may just quit… If a book doesn’t grasp me right away then I’m out!
I think you’re right – I should have started with a different book! It was merely a convenience factor in the end, because my mom had it sitting on the shelf at my parents’ house…so I grabbed it! Haha…
makes perfect sense! and from reading the other comments, it sounds like a consensus that you should read The Pact next 😉 and definitely no Lifetime movies! lol.
The Pact, The 10th Circle and Plain Truth are my favorites. And, whatever you do, do not watch any of the Lifetime movies from her books…awful!
Haha! Avoiding the Lifetime movies seems to be a popular suggestion! Aye aye, Captain!!!
That pretty much sums up most of her books. I’m a fan, but you nailed it. Each one skips around to give different perspectives of the characters, and usually, I can figure out the big surprise ending at least halfway through. There are a few that have really gotten to me – Salem Falls, My Sister’s Keeper, 10th Circle. And listen to MK – don’t watch the Lifetime movies! Awful! (like, way worse than a normal Lifetime movie 😉 )
Ok…I think I need to give Jodi a 2nd chance before totally calling it quits with her…
I’m a fan of Jodi Picoult and generally, all of her books are the same. But, Nineteen Minutes is my favorite and I also really enjoyed Salem Falls and The Pact. I would recommend those three.
Thanks for the recs!!!
I just started reading Jodi Picoult too, after my MIL and SILs were raving about her books at Christimas. They loaned me some. I liked Handle With Care, but I’m reading Harvesting the Heart right now and the characters are utterly unlikeable (intentionally so, I suppose) so it’s tough to get through. I think I’ll do My Sister’s Keeper next!
Oh except I was lent Perfect Match too, so I suppose that’ll be next. I’ll let you know how that goes 🙂
Hope the books go well! I’d love to hear what you think after! 🙂
I’ve read a few of her books…The Pact, Perfect Match, Vanishing Acts, My Sister’s Keeper and a few others I can’t think of right now. I had to quit reading her books because I would get too emotionally involved and they would haunt me for a few weeks afterward. I know that’s a little extreme but it’s how I felt. I always enjoyed them I would just think about them non-stop for weeks!
You should definitely give her a second chance. I’ve read a handful of her books, including Vanishing Acts and that one definitely wasn’t my favorite. But Nineteen Minutes is really great, as is Perfect Match. I also enjoyed House Rules, which was a little slow at first but I ended up liking.
I had a goal in 2011 of reading 12 books, which I’d like to do again for 2012l. I think I ended up with 14 last year, which I think was a high for me! Her books are great for trying to hit that goal since they are all such quick/easy reads.
I’ve been on the look out for a new book, so I’ll have to stop by the library and see if they have this one. Thanks!
First of all, you absolutely must read 19 minutes. I feel like everyone should read it- I was slightly obsessed after I read it and wanted to talk about it with everyone.
Also, My Sister’s Keeper is fabulous. I’m actually not allowed to read her books any more (says my husband) because they make me cry. But she is such a great writer. I also read The Pact (I think… the one with the high school sweethearts). I had high hopes for this, but was sort of disappointed. I still bawled like a baby and that was when the hubs said I was not allowed to read them anymore….
Thanks for the input! I am definitely going to look into those!
Vanishing Acts was the first Jodi Picoult book I’d ever read as well. I just couldn’t put it down though 😀 it remains in my top 5 favorites of her books 😀