Reviews

Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult

dmsullivan's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix

5.0

"Life was what happened when all the what-if's didn't, when what you dreamed or hoped or-in this case- feared might come to pass passed by instead."

I've read a lot of Jodi Picoult in my time -- I'm sad I didn't have a Goodreads account 15 years ago because my read list would have been all her. I appreciate how well she tackles sensitive subjects, and the twists and turns that keep you guessing.

My reading tastes have changed since my Jodi -obsession. I personally didn't care for one of her newer books (Wish You Were Here), and I'm wondering if I would feel the same way about her books now as I did when I was in my mid-20's.

Nevertheless, this one was a solid read. As with many of her books, it makes you question the status quo, and possibly see things from another perspective you normally wouldn't. This was a quick and engaging story, and even though you can determine one of the outcomes early on, the little twist was something I didn't necessarily see coming. 

kimbers81's review against another edition

4.0

I like Jodi Picoults books but this one to me jumped around to much,However it brought me back to my days in High School and I am so glad iam not there anymore.

jaimeleigh318's review against another edition

challenging emotional informative fast-paced

5.0

allisaw_carla's review against another edition

emotional reflective tense

4.0

bluehound's review against another edition

4.0

Good, enjoyable but not worth reading twice

tiffanymonet's review against another edition

4.0

This book was an overall good read. I enjoyed it and had a hard time putting it down (even when I was sick and should have been sleeping). The story gives a different perspective to school shootings and at times reminded me of Grisham's A Time to Kill. I did not know the ending until I read it and both like and dislike it. There was very little I did not like about this book and would probably recomend it to a friend.

caraeliz's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Good book. Not great. But absolutely hated how it was written with such long chapters. I’m talking one chapter was like an hour and a half long. 

The book has a good premise and kept me entertained. Super heavy topic of a school shooting. One that in a way I feel is overdone in a lot of books and shows and movies… the kid being bullied who’s driven to the point where he chooses gun violence to come ‘deal with who started it’. It honestly gets repetitive and is so freeking prevalent in todays world that I almost hated reading about it. It’s on the news constantly about things like this. Yes this book shows exactly what it’s like for many teenagers who go through bullying though. And that’s even more sad.

But this book also pissed me off because I have a firm belief that so much could be different and that starts with parenting. Peters mom Lacy truly frustrated me when she said she never really even bothered seeing what her son was up to. Like hello you’re a PARENT. Sure I get your other child died, but when she said “Peter was holding us together and us as the parents couldn’t function” it’s like yeah… that’s a problem you let that fall on your child. Nope. 

Also… so many things just felt really drawn out. Like this book could have been 100 pages shorter. But I enjoyed the ending yet that felt kind of rushed at the end. I wish there had been better balance with the ending and the content of the book.

wendy_veley's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

lfras99's review against another edition

challenging emotional informative mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

meredith_summers's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5