Vanishing Acts
8 journalers for this copy...
From the Back Cover:
"Why would a man who loved his wife - so much that in the quarter of a century since her death, he hasn't found someone to take her place - why wouldn't he have a record of the life he'd had with her, of the baby they'd made?
Delia Hopkins has led a charmed life. Raised in rural New Hampshire by her widowed father Andrew, she now has a young daughter, a handsome fiance, and a job she loves, finding missing persons.
But as Delia plans her wedding, she is plagued by flashbacks of a life she can't recall. And then a policeman knocks at ther door, and her world fractures into something unrecognisable..."
I have only read one other Jodi Picoult and can already see a definite style to her books - which I like but I suspect I shouldn't read too many all at one time or I might tire of her style. I can't say much more about Vanishing Acts with out issuing a spoiler warning - so I'm going to refrain.
"Why would a man who loved his wife - so much that in the quarter of a century since her death, he hasn't found someone to take her place - why wouldn't he have a record of the life he'd had with her, of the baby they'd made?
Delia Hopkins has led a charmed life. Raised in rural New Hampshire by her widowed father Andrew, she now has a young daughter, a handsome fiance, and a job she loves, finding missing persons.
But as Delia plans her wedding, she is plagued by flashbacks of a life she can't recall. And then a policeman knocks at ther door, and her world fractures into something unrecognisable..."
I have only read one other Jodi Picoult and can already see a definite style to her books - which I like but I suspect I shouldn't read too many all at one time or I might tire of her style. I can't say much more about Vanishing Acts with out issuing a spoiler warning - so I'm going to refrain.
Journal Entry 2 by isisjem at Postal Release in Post office, A book trading site -- Controlled Releases on Thursday, December 7, 2006
Released 17 yrs ago (12/7/2006 UTC) at Postal Release in Post office, A book trading site -- Controlled Releases
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
RELEASE NOTES:
Mailing off to another bookcrosser as part of a trade. I hope you enjoy this!
Mailing off to another bookcrosser as part of a trade. I hope you enjoy this!
Oooh...isisjem's finishing word sounds mysterious. I can't wait to read this one.
It arrived safe and sound along with a fantastic calendar/postcard. Thank you very much isisjem for your generosity in swapping this book with me. :) I know I shall enjoy it very much.
Merry Christmas to you!
It arrived safe and sound along with a fantastic calendar/postcard. Thank you very much isisjem for your generosity in swapping this book with me. :) I know I shall enjoy it very much.
Merry Christmas to you!
Quite enjoyed this one, but like all of her other books I have read - it's pretty much the same kind of formula she follows with each book. However - if it works (which it does), then why spoil it? Thanks again to isisjem for sharing this with me as part of a trade...I think I feel a surprise Rabck coming on....
posted 18/01/07 to kOOkaburra as a surprise rabck. enjoy!
Wow, thank you MooMoo1977! I'm very excited to read this book; I've never read a Picoult book before so I haven't had a chance to memorize her 'formula' yet. Thanks also for the BookCrossing pin, which I've attached to my schoolbag. It seemed appropriate since I do a good many releases on campus!
:)
:)
I read this book over the last two-three days. I started it on my flight to Los Angeles from San Jose on Friday, and finished it flying between San Diego and Los Angeles Sunday afternoon.
It was a fast, easy read, and I enjoyed it. The story was a bit predictable, and it was one of those books you just knew would just have to end on a positive note, but it was absorbing and perfect for distractions from the airplane. I wanted to feel the hot wind and dust of Mexico and Arizona, or live Delia's post-kidnapping childhood with two best friends in New Hampshire.
A quick attempt for summarizing themes: Everyone pulls a vanishing act eventually. Old personas disappear all the time, into memory that can be manipulated and untrustworthy, so that we lose our old selves all the time. But the more we change, the more we stay the same? Alcoholism is a nasty disease that will only be overcome with determination and force of will, which may take a very nasty trauma to stimulate?
I was never very good at finding themes in high school.
It was a fast, easy read, and I enjoyed it. The story was a bit predictable, and it was one of those books you just knew would just have to end on a positive note, but it was absorbing and perfect for distractions from the airplane. I wanted to feel the hot wind and dust of Mexico and Arizona, or live Delia's post-kidnapping childhood with two best friends in New Hampshire.
A quick attempt for summarizing themes: Everyone pulls a vanishing act eventually. Old personas disappear all the time, into memory that can be manipulated and untrustworthy, so that we lose our old selves all the time. But the more we change, the more we stay the same? Alcoholism is a nasty disease that will only be overcome with determination and force of will, which may take a very nasty trauma to stimulate?
I was never very good at finding themes in high school.
Since it's always fun to have a book travel, and I don't think any of my friends are ready for this just yet (but I know they'd be interested) I think it's time for a Book Ring!PARTICIPANTS SO FAR:
- rooshill- CA
- Brendalc57 - CA
- athomegoddess - CA Book is currently here!
- minerva1221 - TX
People have been grouped by state in an attempt to keep book travel through the mail to a minimum. No point zipping the book back and forth across the country, right?
When the book comes to you, please update the journal so that we know it has arrived! Read it and enjoy it but try not to take too long. (According to the TexasWren FAQs two weeks is pretty standard.) Others are waiting to read it too!
After you've finished, share your thoughts on what you read! Then, PM the next person to see if they still want the book. If they don't respond within 1 week, skip them and move on to the next person. Finally, let us know when the book has been sent. Thank you!
Journal Entry 9 by k00kaburra at mail in By mail, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases on Tuesday, January 22, 2008
got it - will start after I've finished my current read, probably this weekend.
Interesting, though several points were not very believable, and yet predictable as part of the plot. The thought crossed my mind that this is quite likely to find its way to the "banned books" list for its decriptions of drug making and racial slurs. Not that it bathers me as part of the story, but I've been reading banned stuff and sort of picking up on the various reasons, some of them not as obvious as this is. Though now that I'm thinking on it again, some of the descriptions were not woven very well into the story. They sort of stood out, like the author decided to take a break from the plot and teach us how to make meth/spell like a crip/blind someone with office supplies and personal hygiene products. Fairly interesting points (that one would hope to never need to use), but not totally necessary to the story; if it was a film the "scenes" would be cut...
I've only read a couple of this author's books, but I do see the pattern that others have mentioned. Although this was a decent read, I think it'll have to be quite a while before I read another of hers, else I'll be rolling my eyes.
I've PMed the next reader and will mail as soon as I've an addy.
Thanks to all the previous book shepherds for sharing.
I've only read a couple of this author's books, but I do see the pattern that others have mentioned. Although this was a decent read, I think it'll have to be quite a while before I read another of hers, else I'll be rolling my eyes.
I've PMed the next reader and will mail as soon as I've an addy.
Thanks to all the previous book shepherds for sharing.
In the mail to Brendalc57 today!
Received book but am presently in the middle of another but will start this one soon. Will journal my thoughts of Vanishing Acts as soon as I am done with it. Thanks.
At first I had trouble getting into the book but after I did I started to b ecome interested. It could have been better if it were a bit more believable. This is the third Picoult book I've read and she does have a certain style that is a bit too fictitious but yet can still hold me as a reader. But as someone already said...I would not read her books to close in succession.
This book is quite interesting...without spoiling the plot...I did find those meth making parts very informative. LOL.
Book ready for next reader.
This book is quite interesting...without spoiling the plot...I did find those meth making parts very informative. LOL.
Book ready for next reader.
Just got this in the mail! Can't wait to start reading it!
Journal Entry 16 by AtHomeGoddess at Bookring, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases on Sunday, November 2, 2008
Released 15 yrs ago (11/2/2008 UTC) at Bookring, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
Bought a new copy of this book to send on; I got 3/4 of the way through the book and my neice absconded it! lol
I read it, and my 14 year old daughter and niece read it too. We all thoroughly enjoyed it. Picoult never fails to disappoint. Some might say her books are almost formulaic, but they are always well written and compelling. Vanishing Acts is no exception. 3 thumbs up!
Sending this on to the next on the list, minerva1221.
Bought a new copy of this book to send on; I got 3/4 of the way through the book and my neice absconded it! lol
I read it, and my 14 year old daughter and niece read it too. We all thoroughly enjoyed it. Picoult never fails to disappoint. Some might say her books are almost formulaic, but they are always well written and compelling. Vanishing Acts is no exception. 3 thumbs up!
Sending this on to the next on the list, minerva1221.
Received in the mail today. I'll get started on this book this weekend. Thanks for sharing!
Picoult always seems to tackle difficult moral subjects and takes a compassionate view of her characters. An interesting dilemma is posed in this book. What happens when doing what you believe is right is against the law? I'll leave the plot details at that so as not to spoil anything for future readers.
This book moved much more slowly than other books of Picoult's that I have read, but it allowed the stories of past and present from all of the characters to weave themselves together nicely. I found some of the sub-plots to be unnecessary and out of place and don't think this book packed quite the punch I've grown accustomed to with Picoult, but I did enjoy it and am glad to have had the opportunity to participate in this ring.
I've PM'd k00kaburra for the address to return the book.
This book moved much more slowly than other books of Picoult's that I have read, but it allowed the stories of past and present from all of the characters to weave themselves together nicely. I found some of the sub-plots to be unnecessary and out of place and don't think this book packed quite the punch I've grown accustomed to with Picoult, but I did enjoy it and am glad to have had the opportunity to participate in this ring.
I've PM'd k00kaburra for the address to return the book.
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES: In the mail back to k00kaburra today. Thanks again for allowing me to participate in this ring!
Thank you everyone for participating in the ring! :)
I'm marking this book 'available' because my bookshelves are out of control and I'm culling the herd.
Journal Entry 22 by k00kaburra at PaperBackSwap.com, A book trading site -- Controlled Releases on Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Released 14 yrs ago (9/1/2009 UTC) at PaperBackSwap.com, A book trading site -- Controlled Releases
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
sent to Elizabeth Raymond of Grand Rapids, MI to fulfill a request on Paperbackswap.com!
sent to Elizabeth Raymond of Grand Rapids, MI to fulfill a request on Paperbackswap.com!
Journal Entry 23 by AtHomeGoddess at Renaissance Hotel in Nashville, Tennessee USA on Friday, September 24, 2010
Released 13 yrs ago (9/24/2010 UTC) at Renaissance Hotel in Nashville, Tennessee USA
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
I hope somebody finds it and enjoys it!
Very good read...keeps you thinking and trying to figure out what is going to happen. Really enjoyed it.
