Hello and happy start of the week to everyone! Today I want to talk about two books, The Innocent Wife by Amy Lloyd and Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult, which seemed perfect for me at first sight but ended up being a bit disappointing. That’s not to say I didn’t enjoy them, but not as much as I had hoped.
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Release: 2018
Publisher: Cornerstone
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
I really loved the concept of this book, as I’ve always enjoyed creepy stories and I’m fascinated by women who write letters to convicted men. However, Samantha wasn’t a character I could connect with and I struggled with most of her decisions, as she wasn’t crazy enough for me to find her remotely interesting. I actually liked the first part of the novel better than the other half.
Of course, I never liked Danny at all either, but the book was actually really entertaining and overall an easy read. I’m sad to say that I didn’t care much for the mystery. It wasn’t entirely predictable but it wasn’t surprising either.
Many thanks to the publishers and Netgalley for my copy
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Release: 2016
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Genre: Contemporary
I read this book as part of a ReadAlong , and it was a very interesting novel to discuss. The book deals with racism and discrimination and the different points of view gave it a deeper approach. Small Great Things grew on me as the plot advanced (the second part of the book was much better in my opinion), but I found it so incredibly manipulative that I can’t really say I liked it.
I had read a couple of Jodi Picoult’s books years ago and loved them, but I think I’ve just outgrown them. I’m not in the mood for being taught a lesson on every page and she is basically the opposite of subtle writing. Everything is so dramatic and hey, the book talks about racism, so of course the main character’s daughter is going to want to dress up as Moana and there will be a debate about the blackface issue, even if it’s totally unrelated to the main plot.
Turk was a horrible human being, but his perspective was fascinating, I love to “hate-read” and he gave me exactly that. The trial was entertaining, but then again, I love trials. Oh, and that last twist was completely ridiculous in my opinion.
I didn’t care for Small Great Things, either. I think you’re spot on when you said you may have outgrown Jodi Picoult as she can be preachy. Leaving Time is my favorite novel of hers, though. I loved the elephants.
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Haven’t read that one, I read 19 minutes and The pact and a couple others I think
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Sorry to hear about your experience with Small Great Things. Innocent Wife is on Feb TBR. Glad to hear that it was an entertaining read.
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Let me know when you read it!!!
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I’ve only read one Jodi Picoult and I agree, it was manipulative. Books that are so blatantly issue-driven just aren’t my thing. “Opposite of subtle” is a good way to put it!
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Hahaha Yeah… I think I used to tolerate this way better years ago!
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I enjoyed this readalong, we need to read more books together 😃 and I agree, the final twist, so unnecessary.
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Yess, I’d love to, I loved reading all your comments, it’s such a different experience!
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“She was crazy enough to be interesting” had me laughing but how true that is when we are such avid readers!! We want CRAZY. I tried Small Great Things long ago and couldn’t get into it and I’d agree with you that I liked early Jodi Picoult but I’m not really feeling her writing these last few years
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Hahahaha Of course we want that! I wouldn’t recommend SGT to you… 😛
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Oh, I’d been kinda tempted to try Jodi Picoult recently but I do hate when an author preaches at me. Sorry you didn’t enjoy it as much as you hoped, but thanks for the warning!
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I wouldn’t recommend this one, maybe one of her older books?
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I was lukewarm about The Innocent Wife, I’m afraid. And Jodi Picoult’s books have never appealed to me. I think you hit the nail on the head with: “I’m not in the mood for being taught a lesson on every page”!
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Yeah I understand why you said that, it wasn’t great. And JP is not a priority for me now, for sure
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You summed up Small Great Things perfectly. So many people loved it last year, but I also felt it was just too heavy handed and that ending…ridiculous! Like you, I hadn’t read Picoult in a long time and now I think I’m done with her.
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Hahaha I knooow, most people loved it and I liked it enough, just didn’t find it realistic at all. That ending… lol
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I haven’t read either of these books and they weren’t on my wishlist so I’m going to keep it that way :-). Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
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🙂 Thank you for commenting Inge, let’s focus on the great ones 😛
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That’s disappointing to hear about The Innocent Wife!
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Yeah but I think I also wasn’t in the mood for it when I started it!
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Sorry to hear you didn’t enjoy these as much as you could have. Their premises do sound intriguing. Great reviews though!
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Right? 😦
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I’m sorry Small Great Things didn’t hit the right cord with you. I think Jodi did a great job talking about institutionalized racism and white privilege. It really gave me a lot to think about.
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I liked some parts but I really disliked how she tried to give a lesson lol And the more I think about it, the less I like it 😦
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