Journal Entry 1 by leeny37 from Melbourne, Victoria Australia on Wednesday, April 16, 2008

My copy has a different cover.

From Amazon.com:
Picoult bangs out another ripped-from-the-zeitgeist winner, this time examining a condemned inmate's desire to be an organ donor. Freelance carpenter Shay Bourne was sentenced to death for killing a little girl, Elizabeth Nealon, and her cop stepfather. Eleven years after the murders, Elizabeth's sister, Claire, needs a heart transplant, and Shay volunteers, which complicates the state's execution plans. Meanwhile, death row has been the scene of some odd events since Shay's arrival—an AIDS victim goes into remission, an inmate's pet bird dies and is brought back to life, wine flows from the water faucets. The author brings other compelling elements to an already complex plot line: the priest who serves as Shay's spiritual adviser was on the jury that sentenced him; Shay's ACLU representative, Maggie Bloom, balances her professional moxie with her negative self-image and difficult relationship with her mother. Picoult moves the story along with lively debates about prisoner rights and religion, while plumbing the depths of mother-daughter relationships and examining the literal and metaphorical meanings of having heart. The point-of-view switches are abrupt, but this is a small flaw in an impressive book. 

Journal Entry 2 by leeny37 from Melbourne, Victoria Australia on Tuesday, May 06, 2008

Jodi Picoult is like a machine, churning out book after book. While there have been some misses, her books are always high-quality reads, even those that don't quite make the mark. With Change of Heart, Picoult has produced yet another gripping read. I started reading this on my flight back to Melbourne from Hobart and I simply couldn't put it down until I finished it. That said, the book is not without its flaws.

*WARNING -- POSSIBLE SPOILERS AHEAD SO READ ON AT YOUR OWN RISK*

The part about Shay as the miracle healer is too similar to The Green Mile for my liking. At least Picoult makes reference to it with one of the inmates calling him that in the book, but there still isn't enough variation from the original. Maggie is a bit of a cliché as an insecure plus-sized woman who has a difficult relationship with her exacting mother, down to the relationship she develops with the gorgeous British doctor who loves her the way she is: good appetite, curves and all. Surprisingly, the chapters on June and Claire are fairly slim, and as a reader, I would have liked more on them. The twist about Kurt was predictable right from the very beginning so it wasn't really a huge shock. The way Picoult ended the book also annoyed me a little. The items that Shay passed to Michael appeared to debunk the notion of Shay possessing any supernatural abilities, but in the epilogue with Claire, it was then suggested otherwise. Only a slight issue, but I'm the type of reader that likes things definite and I'm usually not a fan of the maybe-maybe not situations.

Even with these shortcomings, I still think this is a remarkable read and Picoult is truly a brilliant storyteller, weaving together a tale from the different viewpoints of all the characters. She covers difficult issues in this book, from religion to capital punishment, and while she may not have pulled it off perfectly, I think she handled them with a delicate touch and was successful in the end. Picoult has certainly provided food for thought with these challenging issues, and I'm sure there will be healthy discussions among readers at book club gatherings out there. It may not be the best that Picoult has ever written (My Sister's Keeper still retains that honour for me) but it's still an impressive effort and sits among my favourites by Jodi Picoult. 

Journal Entry 3 by leeny37 from Melbourne, Victoria Australia on Tuesday, May 06, 2008

This is the latest offering from best-selling author, Jodi Picoult. This bookring is now closed.




BookRing Instructions:
1. When you receive the book, please make a journal entry so everyone knows it has safely arrived.
2. When you finish the book, please make another journal entry to share some of your thoughts - enjoyed the book, or absolutely hated it?
3. Continue the BookRing by checking this journal entry for the latest list, and sending a PM to the person after you on the list requesting their postal address.
4. Please try to send on the book as soon as you can, preferably within a month. If you need more time, that's not a problem at all. Either send me a PM or write a journal entry to let me know that the book is safe with you. Thanks! :)
5. Please provide the date when you have sent on the book, either through updating an existing journal entry or making a "controlled releases" release note.
6. Most importantly, ENJOY!

Participants:
1. livrecache
2. amberc
3. LadyIndigo
4. briz-cowgirl
5. piemunga

Back home with me, thanks everyone! :) 

Journal Entry 4 by leeny37 at Post office: Mailed to another bookcrosser in Australia, Bookring -- Controlled Releases on Saturday, May 24, 2008

Released 4 yrs ago (5/21/2008 UTC) at Post office: Mailed to another bookcrosser in Australia, Bookring -- Controlled Releases

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

RELEASE NOTES:

Mailed to livrecache to kick off this bookring. Enjoy! :) 

Journal Entry 5 by livrecache from Hobart, Tasmania Australia on Friday, May 30, 2008

Arrived safely early this week apparently but I've only just now had a chance to go through a backlog of mail. I'm going to collapse into bed with it now -- it's just what I feel like reading after this long, long week. I feel like I've been away for ever. 

Journal Entry 6 by livrecache from Hobart, Tasmania Australia on Sunday, June 01, 2008

As always I find Picoult's writing compelling, so I've finished the book over the weekend. I'm afraid I didn't find it up to the standard of My Sister's Keeper which, apart from the appalling ending remains my favourite. But maybe I've read too much Picoult: she uses the same phrases way too often and is quite formulaic, and I found the this plot to be particularly contrived. However, having said that, I was interested in the issues she raised and that's why I've persisted with her.

I do agree with your analysis in the 'Spoiler', except I haven't read The Green Mile. (I chose not to read your entry until just now.)

I've pm'd amberC for her details, so this book should be on its way soon. Thanks for sharing! 

Journal Entry 7 by livrecache at By post in Melbourne, A Bookcrossing member -- Controlled Releases on Sunday, June 01, 2008

Released 3 yrs ago (6/1/2008 UTC) at By post in Melbourne, A Bookcrossing member -- Controlled Releases

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

RELEASE NOTES:

On its way to the next participant in the ring. 

Journal Entry 8 by amberC from Darwin, Northern Territory Australia on Tuesday, June 10, 2008

Arrived today. it is the only bookring I have at the moment so will be next. 

Journal Entry 9 by amberC from Darwin, Northern Territory Australia on Sunday, June 22, 2008

Another thought provoking read from Jodi Picoult. I agree that the twist about Kurt could be seen coming. The thing that annoyed me was the way Shay could hardly string 2 words together at times, yet at other times he was able to speak easily, if somewhat cryptically.

Posting to LadyIndigo today. 

Journal Entry 10 by LadyIndigo from Orange, New South Wales Australia on Friday, July 11, 2008

picoult's latest book has arrived safely in orange - thanks amberc for sending and leeny37 for sharing

hope to read it quickly given the outdoor winter chills are well and truly here and tis the weather for reading indoors in front of the fire..

;-) 

Journal Entry 11 by LadyIndigo from Orange, New South Wales Australia on Thursday, July 17, 2008

let me come back and amend this je for more complete comments - i'm a little short on time today, but finished he book over the weekend and today i posted it to briz-cowgirl


thanks leeny37 for letting me read this novel
 

Journal Entry 12 by briz-cowgirl from Brisbane, Queensland Australia on Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Received in the mail yesterday from LadyIndigo, thanks! Am frantically trying to read this in the next few days as I have 3 more bookrings heading my way, eek! About 1/3 through the book, really enjoying it so far although seems a bit too reminiscent of The Green Mile at the moment. Aiming to finish it on my day off tomorrow. 

Journal Entry 13 by briz-cowgirl from Brisbane, Queensland Australia on Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Wow! I always enjoy Jodi Picoult's books and this one was no exception, although My Sister's Keeper will always be my favourite of hers.
I flew through reading this it was so engrossing. I confess I didn't see the twist coming towards the end, and on the whole it was a very satisfying novel with some interesting issues raised.
Thanks for sharing leeny37!
PMd piemunga, awaiting mailing details.

ADDIT 1/8/08: Posted to piemunga today! 

Journal Entry 14 by piemunga from Marrickville, New South Wales Australia on Monday, August 04, 2008

thank you! i have 2 and a half books in front of it but i promise to get to it asap 

Journal Entry 15 by piemunga from Marrickville, New South Wales Australia on Sunday, October 26, 2008

i feel terrible! i completely forgot to journal this!

It was my favourite jodi picoult book so far.

not sure if i'm supposed to be sending this one on to someone else or not........ 

Journal Entry 16 by piemunga at Sydney, New South Wales, Australia -- Controlled Releases on Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Released 3 yrs ago (10/26/2008 UTC) at Sydney, New South Wales, Australia -- Controlled Releases

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

posted home today 

Journal Entry 17 by leeny37 from Melbourne, Victoria Australia on Sunday, November 02, 2008

Received safely a few days ago. Thanks everyone for being a part of my bookring!