House Rules (secular novel) - discuss

I just love the ending (last page)! It made me laugh to realize what those entries were all about. I eneded this book laughing hard, unlike feeling stunned and traumatized by the ending of Handle With Care.

Picoult obviously uses some of the same research I found online about Jacob's condition. Now why couldn't I have put it all together in a gripping, entertaining novel? She is one terrific writer.

Three of her novels are among my favorite secular adult books, and that's an incredible record!
_________________
"Often the things you worry about don't happen but other stuff does."
- Amother

I just got this book out of the library last week and am in the middle of it. I love all her novels, she's a really talented author. I'm going to stop reading this thread so I don't spoil it for myself, but I can't wait to see how it all turns out!

It's about getting to know Jacob.

Diamond Member Joined: Dec 28 2005 Posts: 4655

I liked the part about learning about Asperger's but didn't love the crime part.

But yeah, she's my favorite secular author!

SPOILER (sort of)

Yes, I was so bored with the criminal case studies that appeared now and then and went on and on with irrelevant details, and I'm plodding through, wondering what significance this all has and wondering if I should really pay better attention to this part (yawn). And then I find out what they are...and burst out laughing.

Moderator Joined: Nov 20 2005 Posts: 4868

I'm a Jody fan as well. shes by far my favorite author. I'm waiting (rather impatiently) for her next book to come out.

Platinum Member Joined: Jan 01 2006 Posts: 48152

this one was intriguing.

Oh my, I just read on Wikipedia that she is Jewish. I did find it rather amusing how she refernces Jewish characters and icons out of the blue, not connected with anything particularly religious and with absolutely no explanation. Like in House Rules there is someone named Nussbaum. In Handle With Care, someone comments about a character, "The only thing she knows how to braid is challah." And a substitute lawyer appears in one scene, with the name of Adina. Very Happy

Diamond Member Joined: Dec 28 2005 Posts: 4655

When do they usually come out? Is it March of every year?

How does she do this year after year and just get better? Shocked

Moderator Joined: Nov 20 2005 Posts: 4868

her next book comes out in March.

Synopsis:

Zoe Baxter has spent ten years trying to get pregnant, and after multiple miscarriages and infertility issues, it looks like her dream is about to come true � she is seven months pregnant. But a terrible turn of events leads to a nightmare � one that takes away the baby she has already fallen for; and breaks apart her marriage to Max. In the aftermath, she throws herself into her career as a music therapist � using music clinically to soothe burn victims in a hospital; to help Alzheimer�s patients connect with the present; to provide solace for hospice patients. When Vanessa � a guidance counselor -- asks her to work with a suicidal teen, their relationship moves from business to friendship and then, to Zoe�s surprise, blossoms into love. When Zoe allows herself to start thinking of having a family, again, she remembers that there are still frozen embryos that were never used by herself and Max.

Meanwhile, Max has found peace at the bottom of a bottle � until he is redeemed by an evangelical church, whose charismatic pastor � Clive Lincoln � has vowed to fight the �homosexual agenda� that has threatened traditional family values in America. But this mission becomes personal for Max, when Zoe and her same-relations partner say they want permission to raise his unborn child.

SING YOU HOME explores what it means to be gay in today�s world, and how reproductive science has outstripped the legal system. Are embryos people or property? What challenges do same-relations couples face when it comes to marriage and adoption? What happens when religion and s-xual orientation � two issues that are supposed to be justice-blind � enter the courtroom? And most importantly, what constitutes a �traditional family� in today�s day and age?

Sounds fascinating!

Diamond Member Joined: Dec 28 2005 Posts: 4655

Oh wow, my memory served me right.

The next book sounds great and I can't wait 'til it comes out. I always come out with a better understanding of the issues involved.

Diamond Member Joined: Sep 17 2009 Posts: 3961

Ive started to find her books a little predictable. Its annoying because I really enjoyed the first bunch I read.