My Sister's Keeper : A Novel

by Jodi Picoult | Literature & Fiction |
ISBN: 0743454529 Global Overview for this book
Registered by truthteller of Mobile, Alabama USA on 5/1/2004
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14 journalers for this copy...
Journal Entry 1 by truthteller from Mobile, Alabama USA on Saturday, May 1, 2004
Several years ago, a family made a decision to use available technologies to have a baby partially for the purpose of harvesting stem cells to save a sibling. The case drew my attention and made me wonder what the baby would think about this later on.
Jodi Picoult's bestseller tells that story with a fictional twist or two. Absorbing, devastating at times, and caused more than a few tears. Set in a fictional town in RI, there are enough regional references to make me smile, even if all of them aren't on the mark.
Signed copy.
Lasted me two plane rides and caused me to sob, but sending onto fsr44 for her perusal and thoughts.

Journal Entry 2 by fsr44 from Pawtucket, Rhode Island USA on Thursday, May 6, 2004
Received from truthteller. I hadn't heard anything about this book. The author looks like she could be Minnie Driver's sister.
To Be Read. Thanks.

Journal Entry 3 by fsr44 from Pawtucket, Rhode Island USA on Tuesday, June 29, 2004
This book was beautifully written and horribly sad. I give the writing style a 9, but I was not as enthusiastic about some of the plot devices. The ending, to me, rated as one of those "throw the book against the wall" moments. I thought the subplot about the lawyer and the guardian ad litem was just excess baggage. And other things were telegraphed too early (like Anna's motivation). I knew what the purpose of the service dog was when it first appeared. The conflict in the book would have been far more interesting if the mother had been more sympathetic. Overall, I was unsatisfied by the author's decisions to tie up everything in neat little packages.
Finally, completely beside the point and not figuring into my rating, was the niggling irritation of a number of small errors regarding Rhode Island, the book's purported setting and my home. I'm sure they won't bother those unfamiliar with my state, but since she was dealing with my territory, I found the mistakes aggravating.

Journal Entry 4 by fsr44 from Pawtucket, Rhode Island USA on Wednesday, June 30, 2004
Sending to RlyLv2Rd, my book buddy. Enjoy!

Journal Entry 5 by RlyLv2Rd from Viroqua, Wisconsin USA on Thursday, July 15, 2004
Once again the amazing FSR44 RABCKS me!!! Author, reader, and excellent book purveyor has once again put a smile on my face. Thanks! This one may have to travel through quite a few MN bookcrossers before continuing it's journey into the wild.

Journal Entry 6 by RlyLv2Rd from Viroqua, Wisconsin USA on Thursday, September 2, 2004
I gotta say, that so far (mind you I just started this book) I am loving it. It is one of those that when you have to be away you are still thinking about how you can get back to reading it. Since my local bookcrossing buddies are interested I think I will unleash this as a U.S. bookring, and once it returns I will send it out as an international bookray. Thank you so much FSR44 for thinking of me on this one!

Journal Entry 7 by RlyLv2Rd from Viroqua, Wisconsin USA on Thursday, September 2, 2004
Much interest abounds...

The bookring list is as follows:

1. eriko1908 (MN)
2. crazygrace (MN)
3. arugh48187 (MN)
4. ragdyann422 (MN)
5. Eucalia (CA) *Skipped
6. weeblet (VA)
7. tuff517 (TX)
8. Judester (NY)
9. batty14 (NY)
10. hbrogan (NY)
11. Luintaurien (NE)
12. Sherria (CT)
13. sunryzze (CA)<- Currently Residing
14. sweetpea0678 (FL)
15. bronwen316 (IL)
16. Ilios (FL)
17. BigBird2002 (AZ)
18. icanfly (MI)
19. ladytrucker53 (MO)

Then back to me...RlyLv2Rd

Journal Entry 8 by RlyLv2Rd from Viroqua, Wisconsin USA on Friday, September 3, 2004
Excellent book!! Heartwrenching till the last page. I kept thinking "why would truthteller find this so emotional?" Then I get to the very end, and I am so very angry, the waterworks are flowing. I want to throw this book against the damn wall.

I agree with FSR44 that the author does tie it all up into neat little packages (which is unnerving). Didn't really like the whole attorney/guardian misunderstanding and full circle of their issues (to cliche' and harlequinesce)...I think it took away from the story a bit. Also, felt it was too easy to hate Sara all a long.

Overall, though, it was an excellent book. One of my favorites this year despite the fact that there is still a lump in my throat, and I have the urge to tear out the last few pages and rewrite the ending!!! Thank you so much Truthteller & FSR44...this baby is about to take a little tour of the good ol' US.

***Not much for Minnie D. since her few appearances on Will & Grace. I think you may have something there, FSR :)!

Journal Entry 9 by RlyLv2Rd from Viroqua, Wisconsin USA on Friday, September 3, 2004
This book is currently part of a bookring.

Person #1 has a book to share and posts notice of a book ring in the Book Ring and Ray forum or PMs members regarding the book they are sharing. Interested parties will PM her/him, and a book ring begins.

The book is mailed to Person #2 along with a list of everyone in the ring--without including anyone’s mailing address (for privacy reasons).

When Person 2 receives the book, he/she immediately PM’s Person 3 for his/her address, reads the book as quickly as possible, and mails it off. Four weeks has become the "standard" for keeping a book, but I have absolutely no problem with people taking longer as long as they let me know. Please do not hesitate to take more time...just PM or email me the status of the book.

My personal suggestion is that if you need it longer than that (4 weeks), you a)let the founder of the ring know (RlyLv2Rd, and/or b) send it to the next person, unread, and request that your name be added to the end of the list when you may have more time.

Next, person #3 repeats the cycle and on and on through the list. Eventually, the book returns to the original owner after all other members have read it.

If for some reason you do not receive a response from the next person on the list after you, please PM me (RlyLv2Rd), and if there is no response within a week we will probably skip that person, and contact the next one on the list to avoid further delays.

Another problem I will address is: if for some reason you have a problem sending this book to the next person (i.e. short of funds, lost the book, destroyed the book, no time to send it out, out of stamps or supplies, whatever the case may be)...Please just let me know so "we" can figure out a solution. Nothing is more frustrating than having a ring stalled, and the originator not knowing why, and/or not being able to reach the person who they believe currently holds the book to fix the problem. I just want to know that my book is being enjoyed by as many people as possible, so let me know when something comes up. We will figure it out! :)

** Please journal the book as soon as it arrives, and when you send it off just to give everyone participating a heads up on where the book is currently residing. Also, feel free to journal as often as it strikes you. Sometimes, after time and speaking with others or just mulling it over time, a book hits you differently, or you have other thoughts to share...please feel free to elaborate at any time. There is no such thing as too many journal entries.

Thanks again!
-RlyLv2Rd

Journal Entry 10 by rem_ZWU-580656 on Tuesday, September 7, 2004
Finally getting to the journalling of this one! Holiday weekend kept me away from BookCrossing...grrr...darn holidays!! This book looks SOOO good!! Thanks for dropping it by for me on Friday, A!! :o) I will get this one started and passed onto CrazyGrace at our little "meet-up" on the 14th. Thanks again for bringing this one to my attention & thanks for sharing!

Journal Entry 11 by rem_ZWU-580656 on Sunday, September 12, 2004
Guess I should get off my lazy behind & actually journal this now that I have finished with it! :o)

This was an awesome book! I love how it was written from the perspective of all the different characters. I do believe I hated each one of them at different times throughout the story...except for Anna, who I just kept hoping could maintain her strength!!

This is an excellent choice for a bookring, A - I know that it will be enjoyed by all! :o)

I will be passing this on to CrazyGrace at our little meet-up on Tuesday.

(Just so everybody knows...I, too, cried!!)

Journal Entry 12 by CrazyGrace from Minneapolis, Minnesota USA on Tuesday, October 5, 2004
Just picked this up from Eriko1908 a bit ago. Had to finish another book for a ring before I could pick this one up and jump in. Will try to get some power reading done now that the weather has turned back to chill.

Journal Entry 13 by arugh48187 from Highland Park, Illinois USA on Tuesday, October 26, 2004
Picked this one up at our girl gathering tonite. As usual I have a few bookrings in front of this one, but I am a fast reader and will get to it soon. You can keep track of my progress via my bookshelf.

Journal Entry 14 by arugh48187 from Highland Park, Illinois USA on Saturday, December 18, 2004
I too really liked this book and was quite disturbed by the ending. Having recently had a child I am particularly touchy about something happening to him and this book caused me more than my share of anxieties. CrazyGrace told me that she could see the ending coming for miles and miles, but I was totally blindsided. I didn't want to throw the book against the wall, but I thought the ending was a cop out. The author took the easy road on that one.

I will be passing this one off to ragdyann422 at our little soiree tomorrow. Thanks for sharing and sorry for keeping it so long.

Journal Entry 15 by arugh48187 at Decoy's Restaurant in Hopkins, Minnesota USA on Saturday, December 18, 2004
Released on Sunday, December 19, 2004 at about 10:00:00 AM BX time (GMT-06:00) Central Time (US & Canada) at Decoy's Restaurant in Hopkins, Minnesota USA.

RELEASE NOTES:

Handing off to the next reader; Ragdyann422 at our Christmas brunch.

Journal Entry 16 by Ragdyann422 from Minneapolis, Minnesota USA on Tuesday, April 12, 2005
How weird - I swore I had entered this in ages ago! I'm so sorry!!

I was really disappointed in the final chapters. The characters were beautifully written & then it all kind of came to a pretty disappointing halt at the end. It was worth the read, however. I'm in agreement with CrazyGrace on this one.

PM'd Eucalia & she said she was too swamped - just PM'd weeblet to pass on.
Sorry again for sitting on this one!! I'm a stinker!

Journal Entry 17 by weeblet from Jacksonville, Florida USA on Friday, May 6, 2005
got it!
i'm very excited about this one- my best friend suggested it :)

Journal Entry 18 by weeblet from Jacksonville, Florida USA on Monday, May 9, 2005
holy crap- that was debilitating. the ending took me totally off guard, and my 3 year old is looking at me like WTF (i'm a big cryer)?
throughout, i changed my mind about a million times, but in the end it was just too complex an issue, and i'm glad i'm not in that place...... sarah sure came off callous at times- i found myself really relating to brian though.
i am really glad i read this. thanks for sharing :)
i will post when i get an address.

Journal Entry 19 by tuff517 from Elk Grove Village, Illinois USA on Wednesday, June 1, 2005
Received this today, will start tonight!

Journal Entry 20 by tuff517 from Elk Grove Village, Illinois USA on Saturday, June 11, 2005
Wow. Great book. From the time I started reading until I finished it I was totally engrossed in the book. I looked at it mostly from Anna's point of view because I'm very close to my sister [luckily she's not ill], but I kept thinking 'what if...'. I was also going crazy trying to figure out why Campbell had a service dog. A review on Amazon said they didn't like the ending, so of course I tried to figure out what it would be. I figured it would end with Anna giving Kate her kidney. That's all I'll say so I don't spoil it for those who haven't finished it. I was happy with the ending up until the very end. I felt it was a 'Hollywood ending' and not true to the story. But otherwise it was a very compelling read with honest voices. Sending off to Judester tomorrow! Thanks for sharing.

Journal Entry 21 by Judester from Dallas, Texas USA on Wednesday, June 15, 2005
received in book ring ... can't wait to start it tonight!

Journal Entry 22 by Judester from Dallas, Texas USA on Thursday, June 23, 2005
I loved it. I cried and cried. Probably not a good idea to finish it over morning coffee before I drove to work ... but I just couldn't wait to finish it. I've read several of Picoult's books and this is one of my very favorites of hers. I loved the chapters each written from a different prespective and typed in a different font. I loved the side story of the Campbell. It made me appreciate my life and more so, my health even more than ever. Thanks for sharing this book .. it was great! PM'd the next person in line and will send off as soon as I have the address

Journal Entry 23 by Judester from Dallas, Texas USA on Saturday, June 25, 2005
mailed off today to hbrogan 6/25/05 ... enjoy! :)

Journal Entry 24 by hbrogan on Friday, August 12, 2005
I started reading this book this morning. It's really compelling, but the more "medical" passages I find hard to read (I get queasy easily). Hopefully I'll finish it soon and then I'll send it on. Thanks for sharing!

Journal Entry 25 by hbrogan on Tuesday, August 16, 2005
I finished the book this morning before work. I loved it, and it made me cry in many spots. There were times that I wanted to shake some of the characters (Sara especially), but I can't imagine being in such a terrible position. The only part of the book I didn't like was the ending. I don't want to give it away, so I'll just say I thought the author was being a bit lazy. It was as if she had built up this fabulous story and didn't quite know where to go with it, so she took the easy way out.

I'll send this on as soon as I get an address.

Journal Entry 26 by Luintaurien from York, Nebraska USA on Wednesday, September 21, 2005
Got it today. Thank you. Will read and pass on ASAP.

Journal Entry 27 by Luintaurien from York, Nebraska USA on Monday, September 26, 2005
Got 2 copies of this so sending this one on. Thanks for the chance to read it though.

Journal Entry 28 by Luintaurien at -- By Hand Or Post, Ray/Ring, RABCK in York, Nebraska USA on Friday, September 30, 2005

Released 18 yrs ago (9/30/2005 UTC) at -- By Hand Or Post, Ray/Ring, RABCK in York, Nebraska USA

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

RELEASE NOTES:


Journal Entry 29 by Sherria from Bethel, Connecticut USA on Saturday, October 8, 2005
Arrived today. Perfect timing, since I finished the book I was reading last night! This book was certainly a quick read; I read the whole thing today. I'll update with a "real" review tomorrow. Have PM'd the next participant for an address to send it out again.

Journal Entry 30 by Sherria from Bethel, Connecticut USA on Saturday, October 8, 2005
I agree with everyone else - the ending was a cop out. Things wrapped up much too neatly, which was really disappointing since what I enjoyed most about this book was that nothing was neat and tidy and easy. The ongoing tension and the moral tug-of-war that Picoult developed through most of the book were wonderful. The ending totally burst that bubble in an unsatisfying way.

Like some others, I felt the relationship between Campbell and Julia added nothing to the story. It felt like excess baggage and I didn't see the point of including it.

Still, after all that criticism, I really enjoyed this book. Picoult took a very difficult topic and had me struggling through the moral dilemmas right along with the characters. The differing perspectives added to the story, though I would have liked to hear more from Jesse and less from Julia/Campbell. I found it interesting that we didn't hear Kate's voice much, except as seen through other people's eyes. I think that was effective though, since everyone else was so focused on her.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. The writing was powerful and it was a quick read. Now if Picoult would rewrite the ending, I'd give it higher marks!

Waiting to hear from the next participant, then I'll drop this in the mail.

Journal Entry 31 by Sherria from Bethel, Connecticut USA on Tuesday, October 11, 2005
sent to sunryzze yesterday 10/10/05 via media mail.

Journal Entry 32 by Sunryzze from San Diego, California USA on Friday, October 21, 2005
This arrived today! I am anxiously looking forward to reading this. Hope to get started tonight! I will write more when I am through!

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