Review- Salem Falls by Jodi Picoult

Salem Falls on Goodreads

 BOOK SUMMARY:

Tall, blonde and handsome, Jack St. Bride was once a beloved teacher and football coach at a girls' school, until a student's crush sparked a powder-keg of accusation and robbed him of his career and reputation. Now after an eight-month jail sentence, Jack resolves to pick up the pieces of his life.

Release date: April 1st 2008

Published by: Hodder & Stoughton

Page numbers: 472

REVIEW: 

Before Salem Falls, I have only read Jodi Picoult's My Sister's Keeper. But that one book was enough for me to decide that I wanted to read more books from the part of my shelf dedicated to Jodi Picoult as I have an inexplicable obsession with collecting her books. I had my eye on Salem Falls as it had me extremely intrigued with its blurb so I thought I should pick it up next. And I am super glad I did because it's a book that gave me a major brain blotch which is something I had been waiting for... 

Salem Falls is the story of Jack St. Bride who is accused and convicted of sexually assaulting his student Catherine Marsh. Once he has served his time, he moves out to Salem Falls, a quiet town and stumbles into Do-Or-Diner, owned and managed by Addie Peabody. When Jack and Addie meet, they obviously have no idea what's in store for either of them but it is one incredible journey that I thoroughly loved reading about. Jack is once again accused of raping a teenage girl in Salem Falls and that's when the story picks up pace and turns into a series of events that are super interesting to read about. 

Jack and Addie aren't the only characters in this book. It's basically the entire town that gets involved in Jack's case and like always, Picoult manages to write some smashing characters who stay with you long after you've closed the book and who make you contemplate life in general. I don't know how she does it but the author weaves some magic that makes her books so mind blowing and touching. She knows her art super well and that's super admirable. 

Like My Sister's Keeper, Salem Falls also started on a slow note. I felt like I was reading the book forever. It was only once I crossed the 60% mark that I really got into it and I couldn't wait to find out how everything would turn out. Having said that, the first part of the book was packed with information and clues that help figure out some major information but it was just very difficult to get into. There were times when I felt like giving up or putting it on hold but I am so glad I didn't. It's like they say: Great stuff takes time. And it stands so true for this particular book. 

I would highly, highly recommend this book, whether you are a Jodi Picoult fan or not, this one is going to keep you hooked! 

Buy the book: AMAZON

Teaser Tuesday #105

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme hosted by Miz B of A Daily Rhythm. Anyone can play along!

'I told you, St. Bride, of you break her heart -' 

'How about when she breaks mine, Roy?' Jack interrupted bitterly.'What are you going to do for me in that case?' 

Goodreads Summary: 

Tall, blonde and handsome, Jack St. Bride was once a beloved teacher and football coach at a girls' school, until a student's crush sparked a powder-keg of accusation and robbed him of his career and reputation. Now after an eight-month jail sentence, Jack resolves to pick up the pieces of his life.

This is probably the third time I've shared a teaser from Salem Falls, but I've been quite slow with my reading... The book is incredible though. 

What teaser have you shared today? 

Teaser Tuesday #103

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme hosted by Miz B of A Daily Rhythm. Anyone can play along!

'The night that Jack lost the bet, Aldo's voice drifted to him as he lay on his bunk. 'You just do it, and then you put it behind you and never let yourself think about it', Aldo said quietly. 'Kind of like jail.'

-Salem Falls by Jodi Picoult

Goodreads Summary: 

Tall, blonde and handsome, Jack St. Bride was once a beloved teacher and football coach at a girls' school, until a student's crush sparked a powder-keg of accusation and robbed him of his career and reputation. Now after an eight-month jail sentence, Jack resolves to pick up the pieces of his life.

Since I am still reading this book, I thought I'd share another teaser from it. Besides, you know Jodi- her writing is incredible! What teaser have you shared? 

Teaser Tuesday #102

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme hosted by Miz B of A Daily Rhythm. Anyone can play along!

'Salem Falls coming up,' the cab driver announced, waking him. 

A hand lettered blue placard announced the name of the town and proclaimed it home of Duncan Pharmaceuticals. 

-Salem Falls by Jodi Picoult

Goodreads Summary: 

Tall, blonde and handsome, Jack St. Bride was once a beloved teacher and football coach at a girls' school, until a student's crush sparked a powder-keg of accusation and robbed him of his career and reputation. Now after an eight-month jail sentence, Jack resolves to pick up the pieces of his life.

I love Jodi Picoult and I am devouring this books. What teaser have you shared? 

Review- My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult

 My Sister's Keeper on Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Now a major film. Sara Fitzgerald's daughter Kate is just two years old when she is diagnosed with a rare form of leukaemia. Reeling with the helpless shock of it, Sara knows she will do anything -- whatever it takes - to save her child. Then the tests results come back time and again to show that no one in their family is a match for Kate. If they are to find a donor for the crucial bone marrow transplant she needs, there is only one option: creating another baby, specifically designed to save her sister. For Sara, it seems the ideal solution. Not only does Kate live, but she gets a beautiful new daughter, Anna, too. Until the moment Anna hands Sara the papers that will rock her whole world. Because, aged thirteen, Anna has decided that she doesn't want to help Kate live any more. She is suing her parents for the rights to her own body.

Release date: June 11th 2009

Published by: Hodder Paperbacks

Page numbers: 407

REVIEW: 

How do I even review a book like My Sister's Keeper? I had been procrastinating writing this, but then I thought, let's just give it a go and get it over it. But guess what? I have been staring at my black screen for the past five minutes. I have no words to describe the journey that this book has been. I am a 100% sure that my words won't do justice to this marvel. But here goes nothing.

My Sister's Keeper is the story of the Fitzgerald family, where Kate is diagnosed with leukaemia at the age of two, and her only chance at survival is a major bone marrow transplant, for which her parents give birth to another baby who is designed to help Kate. And so, we have Anna. Kate and Anna also have a bother, Jesse. The three siblings were incredibly and realistically portrayed and any intense moments between siblings brings tears to my eyes. This novel wasn't any different. I found myself sympathising with Kate, supporting Anna and trying to understand Jesse.

But there's so much more than the story of a family and their hardships to My Sister's Keeper. This book is about science, medicine, law, justice and what not. I did find it to be a wee bit slow at the very beginning, but once it picked up pace, I was engrossed in it to the point that I both wanted to know the end but didn't want the story to be over. Speaking of the end, I found it both satisfying and disappointing. It wasn't predictable per se, but I did have this ending in mind somewhere along the way. However, it was a medley of coincidences which I always find a tad bit hard to believe. But when everything comes together in the end, it's deeply satisfying.

I don't suppose this review is going to be of any help to anyone. All I would say is that this book is a roller coaster and an emotional one at that. I understand how and why readers can both love and hate it. I, for one, have a bunch of mixed feelings, leaning more towards the positive of course. But this is one of those books that, the longer they stay on your mind (oh, and trust me, this one will), the more youe feelings change as it makes you think.

Buy the book: AMAZON