Weekly Web Wrap Up 6/3/2011 - With Giveaway!

What would you do if you found out the cute guy you liked was actually a Regency gentleman who had spent 200 years trapped as a statue? This is the dilemma facing Eva in The Kiss by Emma Shortt. Tell us what your response would be in the comments below and be entered to win a copy of this new e-book!

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HISTORICAL ROMANCE: Author Debra Mullins on the secret identity in her new novel. Read More >>

MYSTERY: Get a look at PI Claire DeWitt. Read The Excerpt >>

EROTICA: Crystal Jordan gives readers an inside look at her new story. Learn More >>

MAINSTREAM: Elizabeth Joy Arnold talks about When We Were Friends. Watch The Video >>

CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE: Katie Lane’s newest heroine is not excited to learn she has an identical twin. Learn Why >>

YOUNG ADULT: Two debut authors go behind the scenes of their paranormal tales. Check Out The Interview >>

INSPIRATIONAL: Find out how this author got into the mind of Biblical character Martha. Read On >>

PARANORMAL: Melissa Marr on her new projects, including Graveminder. Watch It Now >>

EVERYTHING E-BOOKS: Three new tales get *Web Exclusive Reviews* this week. Check Them Out >>

AUTHORS IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Test your new release knowledge with our quiz! Take It Now >>

PUBLISHING NEWS: Inspirational publisher Tyndale House to release a Digital First imprint. Learn More >>

READ THE EXCERPT: Marie Bostwick continues her popular Cobbled Court series. Take A Look >>

BOOKS IN THE NEWS: Michael Crichton’s posthumously published thriller to hit shelves in November. Get The Details >>

HOW IT’S MADE: Three authors go behind the scenes of their erotic anthology. Learn More >>

ON THE MENU: Morgan and Whitney Dish about Sarah MacLean’s new historical romance. Take A Nibble >>

WIN IT THIS WEEK: Win the seven paranormal YA novels from the Dark Days of Supernatural tour. Enter to Win >>

COMING NEXT WEEK: Andrea Kane chats about her new mystery and gives away five copies of the The Girl Who Disappeared Twice, YA author Colleen Houck stops by for a video interview and Morgan and Whitney Dish about Ellen Connor’s dystopian novel Nightfall.

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GIVEAWAY ALERT: Three lucky winners will each receive a digital copy of The Kiss by Emma Shortt. To enter leave a comment sharing what your response would be if you found out that your boyfriend had spent 200 years trapped as a statue. Or email your comment here with the subject line “Emma Shortt’s The Kiss Giveaway.” This contest is open to all readers and the winners will be announced on Tuesday, June 7.

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Reader Review: "Snow Falling On Cedars"

   Reader reviews of Snow Falling On Cedars by David Guterson.There are currently 44 reviews
for Snow Falling On Cedars Rated of 5 by Dave S
Snow Falling on Cedars
I read this many years ago, but still count it among my favorites. It is one of those rare books where the setting is painted so vividly, you are taken there to listen and experience the story firsthand. And once you are there, the story flows beautifully and dramatically, keeping you engaged from the first page to the last. Rated of 5 by Scrutiny
Enjoyable
While flowing through a series of flashbacks and present day proceedings, an inexperienced reader may feel lost. But these same flashbacks delve deeply into the mindsets of the characters and opens the reader up to a much closer connection to each character. Guterson's extensive use of description will not leave the reader wondering. He expertly puts the reader in the middle of each scene, uncensored. If the reader is disgusted by the war scenes, or uncomfetable with the more sensual scenes, then Guterson has achieved success, as dramatic reactions on part of the reader are certain to be expected. A must read for older readers who are willing to immerse themselves in a book for hours. Rated of 5 by some reviewer
Overall, good
Admittedly, the beginning nearly turned me off. But once I got through the opening, I did not want to put it down. The book keeps you guessing, and the pages keep turning. Rated of 5 by Noble
SUCKS.
I cant even get past the first three chapters. It puts me to sleep. Rated of 5 by corshelle
the best book ever
This was one of the best books I have ever read. It pulls you in then spits you out. You can't put it down. Rated of 5 by ?????
0
I could not get past the first few pages. At first it moves to slow, then it picks up, but it stays pretty slow.
Tracy, a retired police detective, rescues a small child; Jackson Brodie, a detective, rescues and abused dog. Dog in tow, Jackson is about to learn, along with Tracy, that no good deed goes unpunished. In this poignant novel based on a true story, Virginia's story will speak to anyone who has ever struggled to find his or her place in the world. It will make you laugh and cry, and ultimately, it will fill you with hope. The world knows Madame Tussaud as a wax artist extraordinaire . . . but who was this woman who became one of the most famous sculptresses of all time? In these pages, her tumultuous and amazing story comes to life as only Michelle Moran can tell it. The year is 1788, and a revolution is about to... A tour de force that echoes modern classics like Suite Francaise and The Postmistress. In Vaclav & Lena Haley Tanner has created two unforgettable young protagonists who evoke the joy, the confusion, and the passion of having a profound, everlasting connection with someone else. Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford creates a clash in my mind. What is an easy story to read, due to the author's flowing ... read moreI would highly recommend this book to anyone who is even considering reading it. Picoult goes above and beyond her traditional love stories and ... read moreI read this many years ago, but still count it among my favorites. It is one of those rare books where the setting is painted so vividly, you are ... read moreCalifornia State Assembly passes internet sales tax bill (Jun 02 2011)
Earlier this week, the California State Assembly followed a number of other states in passing a bill "aimed at closing a legal loophole that allows internet... Full StoryUK's largest ever poetry festival planned for Olympics (Jun 01 2011)
Poets from the 205 Olympic nations are competing to be part of "Poetry Parnassus", the UK's largest ever poetry festival, which will take place from 26 June... Full Story

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Video Interview With Mainstream Author Elizabeth Joy Arnold

Mainstream author Elizabeth Joy Arnold will have you glued to the pages of her newest novel, When We Were Friends, with the story's emotionally gripping content and dramatic twists and turns. Today the author chats with RT's Web Editor Morgan Doremus about what happens when you get involved in a situation that has no solution, and when "doing the right thing" completely backfires ...

Elizabeth Joy Arnold on When We Were Friends >>

More From The RT BOOK REVIEWS Video Channel >>

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Video Interview: Melissa Marr Chats About Graveminder

Bestselling author Melissa Marr chats with RT's Web Editor Morgan Doremus about embarking on several new projects, including May's paranormal fiction Graveminder and news about the upcoming television series deal the author inked even before Graveminder hit shelves!

Melissa Marr on Graveminder >>

More From The RT BOOK REVIEWS Video Channel >>

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Kresley Cole Reveals The Cover Of Lothaire Tomorrow Morning On Facebook

Trends in cover art come and go quickly. While the cartoon covers of the early '00s contemporary romances are out and there has been a noticeable decline in the number of rain boots featured on mainstream novels, in urban fantasies tattooed ladies are in and buff male chests remain the kings of paranormal romances.  

With all of our speculation about what's hot (and what's not) in the world of book covers, it is with bated breath that we await tomorrow morning's Facebook cover reveal of Kresley Cole's Lothaire. The novel is the latest in the author's popular Immortals After Dark series and features a mysterious and dangerous hero. While the book won't publish until January, we are already full of questions about the elusive Lothaire, including the look of his cover. The wait is over tomorrow morning at 9 AM when the author will reveal the artwork for Lothaire for the first time on her Facebook Page. We will meet you there bright and early for a sneak peek at this highly anticipated upcoming release!  

Visit Kresley Cole's Facebook page >>

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Test Your New Release Knowledge With Our June Authors In The Spotlight Quiz!

Spring has sprung and summer has started in the outskirts of New York City. Here at RT we are appreciating all of those hot-weather treats like ice cream and iced coffee. But we have a something delicious (and calorie-free) for you today ... a taste of ten new releases. Read heart-felt messages, enjoy two author interviews and, of course, browse excerpts with this month's Authors in the Spotlight!

Don't know where to start? You can check out the index, or find out which new books are spotlighted with this month's Authors in the Spotlight Quiz.

Authors In The Spotlight Quiz: June

1) Which two authors interview each other about their new historical/contemporary romance? Answer >>

2) Who is the author shrouding the final book in her paranormal YA series with illusions? Answer >>

3) Which paranormal romance series continues with this month's pastry chef heroine falling for Iskander, her good-looking landlord? Answer >>

4) Which author's long-running fantasy series features the name Naamah in many of her titles? Answer >>

5) Which romantic suspense heroine attempts to save her brother from death row? Answer >>

6) Lady Caroline Blacknall's trip to Muirin Inish completes which historical romance author's Daughters of Erin trilogy? Answer >>

7) Who pens the new contemporary romance Southern Roads series, which features three brothers trying to reinvigorate their dying town? Answer >>

8) This author debuted with the historical romance The Heir. What is the name of the series second? Answer >>

9) Katie Lane tells us that getting lost on trips was the starting point for her new contemporary romance. What's the story's title? Answer >>

10) Which real-life sisters release their co-written suspense series second, which started with 2007's Wicked Game. Answer >>

Best of luck and we hope you enjoy this month's authors in the Spotlight! 

See All Of The June Authors In The Spotlight >>

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RT's Anne Elizabeth And A Special Look At Ziggy, The Ultimate Communicator

Today graphic novel author Anne Elizabeth, who is also the RT BOOK REVIEWS Columnist on Comics, Manga and Graphic Novels, shares a special look into the world of the comic character Ziggy.

In a rare interview, I spoke with Tom Wilson II, the son of Ziggy creator and the artist of the popular newspaper comic strip for the past few decades. “I took over for my dad years ago. I suppose it was a natural progression. I grew up with Ziggy who was like an older brother to me. He taught me a lot...” said Wilson. “Ziggy was a loner, a sad sack if you will, who was able to speak directly to the audience about his issues and upsets. He could look the world in the eye and impart his wisdom.” This candidness melted hearts of readers around the globe.

Ziggy has had a fascinating history. He was created by Tom Wilson I when he worked at American Greetings. “Dad said, ‘Ziggy just showed up one day,’” shared Wilson. He appeared in the greeting card company’s newspaper and the character quickly caught the imagination and interest of customers. In the early 1970’s, the character was picked up in additional print mediums and Ziggy slowly became syndicated in the comic pages of newspapers around the country. In the mid-1980’s, Tom Wilson II took over the strip full time.

This talented man honed his skill of writing pithy sayings in a game he played with his father called Save Ziggy!  “When I was a child, Dad would often take me to Big Boy for breakfast where I’d order chocolate chip pancakes. He’d flip over the paper placemat, take out his pen, and draw a square. Inside he’d depict Ziggy and then he’d ask me what happened next. The tricky part, and this was his one rule, was that I couldn’t give him my first answer as he thought those immediate responses were ‘low-hanging’ fruit. Instead, I had to dig deep and give him the second or third thoughts. It was hard... That first idea always seemed so great to me, but Dad’s game taught me how to give something greater to Ziggy and the world. I’ll never forget it,” said Wilson. “As a creator it is a responsibility to give something positive to your work. My advice to aspiring artists and writers is honor your passion. The key in the door that opens up more memories and stuff going on is valuable...emotion and creativity are linked. Hold true to this, you create because it’s part of you...it’s a positive thing.”

Wilson has also written a memoir, “Zig-Zagging” about his experiences with Ziggy and how it affected him as both an adult and child, too. If you’d like additional information, please check out Wilson’s website at www.ziggy.com.  

On a personal note, I’d like to share what Ziggy meant to me. He was a great comfort. When I was very little my father would pull me onto his lap and read the funny pages of the newspaper, and when I was older I remember the order forms from school where I could order the Ziggy books. I even had a stuffed Ziggy doll I used to sleep with (I lost it at camp years ago.). To me, Ziggy represented endurance, kindness, and an ability to rise above the trials and hardships of life. To all those fans and readers out there, why do you like Ziggy, now or as a child? What does he or did he represent to you? Leave a comment or send me an email at mail@anneelizabeth.net.

- Anne Elizabeth

For more from Anne Elizabeth, be sure to check out her interview with debut graphic novel author Kim Harrison who already has a following for her paranormal tales, in the July issue of RT BOOK REVIEWS!

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Reader Review: "Nothing to Envy"

   Reader reviews of Nothing to Envy by Barbara Demick.There are currently 2 reviews
for Nothing to Envy Rated of 5 by chetyarbrough.com
Delusion & Deception
Everything to hide, everything to lose, and “Nothing to Envy” summarizes Barbara Demick’s book about North Korea. Demick peels back the edge of a curtain that hides North Korea from the rest of the world. Mrs. Song, Oak-hee, Mi-ran, and Jun-sang paint a picture of a gray country (because of little electricity) wracked by hunger and controlled by a dictator (Kim Jong-Il) and his army. Demick reveals a country that faces a grim future. “Nothing to Envy” makes a listener believe North Korea’s government is destined to fail. Time and incident will cause its collapse. Rated of 5 by Book W
A Must Read!
This is a "must read" for everyone no matter the age, origin, gender or geographical location. You can't help coming away feeling humble - on so many planes and for so many reasons. I am in awe, witnessing the human spirit through Barbara's text. A true eye-opener. A great text for teachers and book clubs.

Barbara Demick is to be applauded for her years of research, interviews, travels, and dedication to a country and a part of history that must be told. I could not put this book down.

Tracy, a retired police detective, rescues a small child; Jackson Brodie, a detective, rescues and abused dog. Dog in tow, Jackson is about to learn, along with Tracy, that no good deed goes unpunished. In this poignant novel based on a true story, Virginia's story will speak to anyone who has ever struggled to find his or her place in the world. It will make you laugh and cry, and ultimately, it will fill you with hope. The world knows Madame Tussaud as a wax artist extraordinaire . . . but who was this woman who became one of the most famous sculptresses of all time? In these pages, her tumultuous and amazing story comes to life as only Michelle Moran can tell it. The year is 1788, and a revolution is about to... A tour de force that echoes modern classics like Suite Francaise and The Postmistress. In Vaclav & Lena Haley Tanner has created two unforgettable young protagonists who evoke the joy, the confusion, and the passion of having a profound, everlasting connection with someone else. Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford creates a clash in my mind. What is an easy story to read, due to the author's flowing ... read moreI would highly recommend this book to anyone who is even considering reading it. Picoult goes above and beyond her traditional love stories and ... read moreI read this many years ago, but still count it among my favorites. It is one of those rare books where the setting is painted so vividly, you are ... read moreCalifornia State Assembly passes internet sales tax bill (Jun 02 2011)
Earlier this week, the California State Assembly followed a number of other states in passing a bill "aimed at closing a legal loophole that allows internet... Full StoryUK's largest ever poetry festival planned for Olympics (Jun 01 2011)
Poets from the 205 Olympic nations are competing to be part of "Poetry Parnassus", the UK's largest ever poetry festival, which will take place from 26 June... Full Story

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Weekly Web Wrap Up 5/20/2011

Did you spend your week reeling from a Five-Alarm Encounter?

Here's what you missed on the RT website.

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HISTORICAL ROMANCE: Kris Kennedy on the heroine of the medieval Defiant. Read All About Her >>

MYSTERY: Enjoy the thrill of going fast in Steve Ulfelder’s new novel. Learn More >>

COMIC: TV show Castle inspires new graphic novel. Get The Details >>

YOUNG ADULT: Myra McEntire introduces readers to her ghost-seeing heroine. Meet Emerson Cole >>

INSPIRATIONAL: Enjoy an excerpt of this new inspirational romantic suspense. Take A Look >>

SERIES ROMANCE: Romance blooms in Carrying the Rancher’s Heir. Read A Message From The Author >>

EROTICA: We have some genre news! Check It Out >> 

CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE: Stephanie Bond talks about her new trilogy. Get The Scoop >>

PARANORMAL: Get the details about Stephanie Julian’s July series first. Read On >> 

VIDEO INTERVIEW: Find out why you need to read Agonizing Love: The Golden Era of Romance Comics. Watch It Now >>

ASPIRING AUTHOR: Trice Hickman talks about the pains of rejection. Hear Her Story >> 

THEME BLOG: Check out these six tales of historical damsels in distress from Harlequin! Take A Look >>

DEAL OF THE WEEK: Holly Black's White Cat optioned for TV series. Learn More >> 

DISH OF THE WEEK: Morgan & Whitney dig into Rachel Gibson's Any Man of Mine. Get A Taste >>

WIN IT THIS WEEK: Nalini Singh’s Psy/Changeling Series Backlist, Round Three of Dark Days of Supernatural, Sarah Bower’s new historical fiction and a giveaway from Ciji Ware!

COMING NEXT WEEK: We attend BEA, turn the spotlight on the month's spiciest paranormal reads and interview Julia Quinn!

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The Last Week Of The Dark Days Of Supernatural Giveaway

Today marks the final round of the Dark Days of Supernatural giveaway: your last chance to win seven new paranormal YA novels — and one very cute tote bag that carries them all. This week you can get your hands on the new releases from Aprilynne Pike, Ellen Schreiber, Kim Harrison, Veronica Roth, Amy Plum, Josephine Angelini and Tara Hudson. All you have to do to enter is leave a comment below with the five items that are in your bag when you head out on your supernatural quest.

I know this seems like a difficult task. How do you whittle your list down just five bag-sized survival items? But I've got faith in you guys. You've come through with flying colors when I asked you to figure out your paranormal powers, identify your evil nemesis and share the top three traits of your love interest. Last week you guys imagined some seriously excellent-sounding love interests. Jennifer R. won round four with her guy who controls water, has a great smile and is both street and tech savvy.

Now this week, Hunger Games-style, it's all about figuring out what you need to take along with you on your adventure in order win. I had a bit of a challenge trying to figure out what made my list, because I wasn't quite sure where I was headed. I mean, "five items that fit in a bag" is pretty open-ended, and my first instinct was to say, "a purse is a type of bag" and set my supernatural story in the (relative) safety of suburbia. But I guess I'm headed into the wild because I packed my bag with ...

1. A water bottle (Because hydration is important.)

2. A Swiss Army Knife (Because no matter how hard I tried to reason it out, sadly, "Someone with wilderness skills" doesn't fit in a bag.)

3. Duct tape (See reason #2. Also, I am the opposite of handy, so I figure this is as close to carrying rope as makes sense.) 

4. One of those thin rain jackets that folds up into a pillow

5. A box of band-aids (I am also a super klutz — think one barely more coordinated than Bella Swan.)

Now to give you a little bit of extra motivation, take one last look at the seven books that will be winging their way to you if you win this week's Dark Days of Supernatural giveaway. 

I'm confident that you guys have got this one, pardon the pun, in the bag! And then, to get even more Dark Days of Supernatural action, check out their website and find out if their summer tour will be stopping near you.

GIVEAWAY ALERT: One lucky winner will receive this tote bag full of new paranormal YA releases, just leave a comment telling me what 5 items you would pack in your bag for your own supernatural adventure. (Or you can email your comment here with the subject line "Dark Days of Supernatural Giveaway Round 5") The winner will be announced on June 6!

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How Ciji Ware Writes About Disaster - With Giveaway!

Today Ciji Ware gives readers an insider look at how she creates the disasters in her novels. And don't miss your chance to win your own copy of her newest novel, the historical fiction tale, A Race to Splendor!

“…Blindly Amelia inched along a floor pitching as violently as the deck of a boat in a midwinter storm. Her hands touched the threshold opening onto the ninth floor foyer at the instant the glass transom over her head exploded into a thousand pieces…She crumpled beneath the doorframe, curling into a ball…and screamed again as a twenty-five foot expanse of wood paneling and masonry pitched outward and plunged nine stories to Montgomery Street below. She knew that no structure on landfill, no matter how well built, could withstand much more shaking without collapsing. Then, just as suddenly, the convulsions subsided.”

A number of reviewers of my first novel published in a decade have remarked (kindly, I’m grateful to say) about the “you are there” aspect of my descriptions of the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and firestorm, along with its devastating aftermath, that constitute the setting for A Race to Splendor.

In this story about the amazing feat of the first licensed woman architect in California-- Julia Morgan of Hearst Castle fame--restoring the legendary Fairmont Hotel atop Nob Hill within ten months of the disaster, I brought not only my twenty-five years’ experience as a print and broadcasting reporter in Los Angeles, but also my memories of having actually lived through the frightening 1971 San Fernando and 1994 Northridge earthquakes.

However much I researched the telling details of the 1906 disaster that obliterated 400 city blocks and left some 250,000 of 410,000 San Franciscans homeless for up to two-and-a-half years, I honestly don’t think I could have written A Race to Splendor without having witnessed the terrifying and destructive power of such an uncontrollable force of nature.

I have chosen to cast the “real” Julia Morgan as a secondary character, and tell the story of the City by the Bay’s initial response to the devastating quake and fire, along with its subsequent “race to splendor,” through the lens of a composite fictional heroine, Amelia Hunter Bradshaw, drawn from the lives of the people who worked for or knew the extraordinarily talented trailblazer Julia Morgan.  

And what historical novelist could resist the saga of the city’s grand hotels competing against each other for the honor of clearing away the rubble and throwing their doors open by the first anniversary of the disaster to prove to the world that San Francisco (unlike Pompeii to whom it had been contemporaneously compared) would, indeed, rise from the ashes?

I began the novel more than a decade ago, and could never have predicted that its debut this April, on the 105th anniversary of the cataclysmic San Francisco quake would be “timed” to coincide with our very recent understanding of the long range and longstanding impact that events like Hurricane Katrina, the tsunami in Indonesia, the BP oil spill, and the earthquakes in Haiti and Japan have not only on the landscape, but also on the psyche of a community?  

I hope readers will find this story full of excitement, derring-do, and the swashbuckling romance of San Francisco’s Barbary Coast, as well as offer an accurate glimpse into such natural disasters, for it is truly a tale about recovery and our human capacity to rise above the wreckage and courageously carry on with a more profound sense of what is truly important in life.

Now that’s a tale worth telling….

- Ciji Ware

GIVEAWAY ALERT: Three lucky winners will receive their own copy of A Race to Splendor. To enter tell us what historical disaster has always fascinated you. Or you can email your comment here with your US mailing address and the subject line "Ciji Ware's A Race to Splendor Giveaway." The winners will be announced on June 3!

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Reader Review: "Nineteen Minutes"

   Reader reviews of Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult.There are currently 32 reviews
for Nineteen Minutes Rated of 5 by taaaymanderson3
Nineteen Minutes
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is even considering reading it. Picoult goes above and beyond her traditional love stories and reels you in with the act of violence of the small town of Sterling, NH. Nineteen Minutes makes you have a different perspective on people and everything around you. Rated of 5 by Reader734
Feminist view in whole.
I no not think this is a good book. From cover to cover the book is filled with feminist views on how The author believes young men behave. None of these acts would ever happen in a real school without a teacher noticing and the bully being caught. Any half intelligent reader could tell that the book was written by a women and it shows in the main character Peter's case. Rated of 5 by Kaylee Clark
An A for Jodi Picoult’s Nineteen Minutes
Bullied or not bullied, everyone has a story. Some may take a different path than others in life. It’s like the saying we have all heard before, “Everyone is Different”. The main character of Jodi Picoult’s book Nineteen Minutes is a 17 year old named Peter Houghton. He is the misfit of his class. Peter never has too many friends, except Josie; they are inseparable. She is always there to stick up for Peter when older boys pick on him. Once they enter middle school, Josie start to hang out with the “popular” group; she doesn’t want to ruin her new reputation, so Josie ditches Peter. He is the kid at school that always plays video games and never is very athletic; he feels like his parents are more proud of his brother, who is dead. The book begins as an average day at Sterling High, or so the residents think, but has all this bullying pushed Peter to the edge? After that day, the school is stained by a terrible tragedy. Each person has to recover from the situation. This small, neat town proves that one person can change the security of an entire community. The more you read, the more you will get hooked on this bestseller. The exhilarating twists and turns of this book will keep you hooked from start to finish. The writing style, author, and realistic characters are what make this novel so compelling.

The writing style Jodi Picoult incorporates through this book astounds me. The book is in third person, but the entire story is “flashback” as well. You may ask what flashback means. The word is defined as a book that goes back in time to tell stories that help explain situations happening in the present. This author tells pieces from the past numerous times to lead readers to the conclusion. One time this style of writing is in the cafeteria. Peter has just admitted to Josie through an email, that he is in love with her. This email is spammed out to the entire school; Peter is unaware of this. One of Josie’s closest friends tells Peter she has a crush on him too. That day at school Peter goes up to the intimidating “popular” table. To his surprise this all was just a joke to them. Peter is the misfit of the school and for him to get the guts to admit he liked Josie not acceptable. Matt, Josie’s boyfriend, pulls down Peter’s pants and underwear in front of the whole student body. This flashback in the story really gave me, a better understanding of why Peter takes the action that he does in the novel against those he despises. This style of writing really gave a better understanding on why the shooting happened. It was also very tantalizing to read the different action-filled stories from Peter and Josie’s past. In addition to the exquisite writing style Nineteen Minutes has an indubitable author, Jodi Picoult.

Jodi Picoult is an ingenious author; she really gives a great presentation of this in Nineteen Minutes. Jodi also relates many of her stories to real life situations. She has shown this through the years in all her books. Picoult is the bestseller author of seventeen novels including: My Sisters Keeper, The Pact, House Rules, etc. While reading this and other books, I have wondered where Jodi Picoult has learned their craft. She has not only worked for Wall Street but, also went to two Ivy League schools, Princeton and Harvard. Her education may have helped her get to where she stands today, but she just has great talent. In Nineteen Minutes, her expertise is demonstrated very well. I had heard of this book from a friend. She really was pushing me to read it. A couple of years ago I read My Sisters Keeper, and honestly, I loved that book as well. I decided to give this story a shot and Jodi didn’t let me down. Once again, this was a great book that shows Picoult’s skills and passion of writing. Not only does Picoult have exceptional writing style, she can relate her stories to real life situations as well.

The characters in Nineteen Minutes are like you or me, realistic. I love books that let me take the traits of a character and I can them to one of my friends. While reading the book, I was awestruck that I could match anyone of the characters with someone I know. There is always a popular group, the geeks, and an outcast in high school. There is no way of getting around it. Many may think there is a way to eliminate this or that it doesn’t exist, but the sad truth is it does. This book shows a great understanding of how school works. There are bullies that will always try to make people feel small. Whoever you are and whatever group you fit in with, just be true to yourself. When reading this book, that’s the theme I truly took from it. Every person has that one person in life who they can count on. Indeed all three of the criteria I talked about are important and should be taken into consideration while you read the book.

I can see on the other hand why people would be discouraged or wouldn’t like the book after reading it. Jodi Picoult’s style is much different then other authors books I’ve read and may be a little confusing to some. Another reason people may be turned off by this book is the plot of the story, school shootings are a very emotional and serious matter. In my opinion though Jodi Picoult takes the right direction for the plotline and shows how humorless bullying can be. I recommend this book to anyone that has liked Jodi Picoult’s other books and anyone who enjoys action-filled stories.

Rated of 5 by Mika
Recommended.
This book is a nice book. At least better than I had expected. It creates suspense and also has a twist ending. It is a really unpredictable book that makes really excited to read on. I rate it a 4/5 because it really deserves it. The only bad point is that the book that some boring parts that will make you want stop reading it. Otherwise, it is a superb book! Picoult's book are all really exciting and also captivating. I had also read her other series and find that this is one of the nicer one. I would also recommend my friends to read it. Thumbs up to Picoult!!! Rated of 5 by Ttray
Nineteen minutes
The ending was poor, Why would she do what she did to someone she repeatedly says she "cant live without"? Considering the non existent relationship between her and Peter because she was to weak to stand up for herself.

This book does more stereotyping than anything ive read."

It took a sensitive matter insensitively. As a Picoult fan I am sadly displeased.

Rated of 5 by Jonilisa
Nineteen Minutes
I just finished listening to Nineteen Minutes this evening. I was curious what others thought and happened across BookBrowse.

I read several of the reviews and was surprised at words like "thriller". This may be a fictional story, but as we know, the subject is all too real. Because of that, I found this Jodi Picoult story to be more educational than entertaining.

Ms. Picoult is thee writer, of our times, who is dedicated to bringing difficult topics to the forefront. I appreciate her work very much.

Tracy, a retired police detective, rescues a small child; Jackson Brodie, a detective, rescues and abused dog. Dog in tow, Jackson is about to learn, along with Tracy, that no good deed goes unpunished. In this poignant novel based on a true story, Virginia's story will speak to anyone who has ever struggled to find his or her place in the world. It will make you laugh and cry, and ultimately, it will fill you with hope. The world knows Madame Tussaud as a wax artist extraordinaire . . . but who was this woman who became one of the most famous sculptresses of all time? In these pages, her tumultuous and amazing story comes to life as only Michelle Moran can tell it. The year is 1788, and a revolution is about to... A tour de force that echoes modern classics like Suite Francaise and The Postmistress. In Vaclav & Lena Haley Tanner has created two unforgettable young protagonists who evoke the joy, the confusion, and the passion of having a profound, everlasting connection with someone else. Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford creates a clash in my mind. What is an easy story to read, due to the author's flowing ... read moreI would highly recommend this book to anyone who is even considering reading it. Picoult goes above and beyond her traditional love stories and ... read moreI read this many years ago, but still count it among my favorites. It is one of those rare books where the setting is painted so vividly, you are ... read moreCalifornia State Assembly passes internet sales tax bill (Jun 02 2011)
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