Summary: In today’s article, I have compiled 20 of the best books written by Jodi Picoult—stories that have moved me, challenged my thinking, and left a lasting impression. My top 3 picks:
TOP 20: Best Books by Jodi Picoult
1. My Sister's Keeper
- Author: Jodi Picoult
- About: The story revolves around Anna Fitzgerald, a young girl conceived to be a bone marrow donor for her sister, Kate, who suffers from leukemia. As Anna matures, she questions her role and sues her parents for medical emancipation.
- Style of Writing: Picoult employs multiple first-person narratives, allowing readers to see the story from various perspectives.
- Length: Approximately 120,000 words.
- Year Written: 2004
- Emotional Impact: Profoundly moving; it delves into ethical dilemmas and family dynamics, leaving a lasting impression.
- Difficulty Level: Moderate; accessible language with complex moral questions.
- Why Read It: To explore themes of medical ethics, family bonds, and personal autonomy.
2. Nineteen Minutes
- Author: Jodi Picoult
- About: This novel examines the aftermath of a school shooting in a small town, focusing on the perpetrator, Peter Houghton, and the community's response.
- Style of Writing: Utilizes a non-linear narrative with multiple viewpoints to unravel the events leading up to and following the tragedy.
- Length: Approximately 125,000 words.
- Year Written: 2007
- Emotional Impact: Intense and thought-provoking; challenges readers to consider issues of bullying, violence, and justice.
- Difficulty Level: Moderate; straightforward prose with heavy themes.
- Why Read It: To gain insight into the complexities of adolescent life and the factors contributing to tragic events.
3. The Pact
- Author: Jodi Picoult
- About: A tale of two families intertwined by the deep friendship and eventual suicide pact of their teenage children, exploring themes of love, trust, and hidden truths.
- Style of Writing: Alternates between past and present, providing a comprehensive view of the characters' relationships.
- Length: Approximately 135,000 words.
- Year Written: 1998
- Emotional Impact: Deeply emotional; delves into the psyche of teenagers and the pressures they face.
- Difficulty Level: Moderate; engaging narrative with complex emotional content.
- Why Read It: To explore the depths of adolescent relationships and the impact of family dynamics.
4. Plain Truth
- Author: Jodi Picoult
- About: Centers on an investigation into the death of an infant in an Amish community, where an 18-year-old girl is accused of murder.
- Style of Writing: Combines legal drama with cultural exploration, using third-person narrative interspersed with courtroom scenes.
- Length: Approximately 120,000 words.
- Year Written: 2001
- Emotional Impact: Captivating and enlightening; offers insight into Amish culture and the clash between modern law and traditional beliefs.
- Difficulty Level: Moderate; informative with a compelling plot.
- Why Read It: To understand cultural differences and the complexities of justice within insular communities.
5. Handle with Care
- Author: Jodi Picoult
- About: The story of a family dealing with the challenges of raising a child with osteogenesis imperfecta, a condition causing brittle bones, and the moral dilemmas they face.
- Style of Writing: Features multiple narrators, including the mother, father, sister, and others, providing diverse perspectives.
- Length: Approximately 150,000 words.
- Year Written: 2009
- Emotional Impact: Heart-wrenching; explores the lengths parents will go to for their children and the ethical questions that arise.
- Difficulty Level: Moderate; emotionally charged with ethical considerations.
- Why Read It: To delve into medical ethics, family sacrifice, and the definition of quality of life.
6. House Rules
- Author: Jodi Picoult
- About: Focuses on Jacob Hunt, a teenager with Asperger's syndrome, who becomes a suspect in a murder investigation due to his fixation on forensic analysis.
- Style of Writing: Told from multiple perspectives, including Jacob, his mother, and brother, offering a comprehensive view of living with Asperger's.
- Length: Approximately 173,000 words.
- Year Written: 2010
- Emotional Impact: Insightful and empathetic; sheds light on the challenges faced by individuals with autism and their families.
- Difficulty Level: Moderate; informative with a suspenseful narrative.
- Why Read It: To gain a deeper understanding of autism spectrum disorders and the intersection with the legal system.
7. Change of Heart
- Author: Jodi Picoult
- About: The narrative follows Shay Bourne, a death row inmate seeking redemption by donating his heart to the sister of his victim, exploring themes of justice, forgiveness, and religious beliefs.
- Style of Writing: Multiple first-person perspectives, including those of a priest, a lawyer, and the inmate, providing a multifaceted view of the moral dilemmas.
- Length: Approximately 120,000 words.
- Year Written: 2008
- Emotional Impact: Profoundly thought-provoking; challenges readers to consider complex issues of morality and redemption.
- Difficulty Level: Moderate; accessible prose with deep philosophical questions.
- Why Read It: To explore the intersections of faith, justice, and the human capacity for change.
8. The Storyteller
- Author: Jodi Picoult
- About: Sage Singer, a baker, befriends an elderly man who confesses to being a former Nazi SS officer, leading her to confront her grandmother's Holocaust past and the nature of forgiveness.
- Style of Writing: Interweaves past and present narratives, combining first-person and third-person perspectives to reveal historical and personal stories.
- Length: Approximately 120,000 words.
- Year Written: 2013
- Emotional Impact: Deeply moving; delves into the horrors of the Holocaust and the complexities of guilt and forgiveness.
- Difficulty Level: Moderate; emotionally intense with historical context.
- Why Read It: To understand the lasting impacts of history on personal identities and the moral questions surrounding forgiveness.
9. The Tenth Circle
- Author: Jodi Picoult
- About: The story of a family dealing with the aftermath of their teenage daughter's alleged date rape, intertwined with themes from Dante's “Inferno.”
- Style of Writing: Combines prose with graphic novel elements, reflecting the father's profession as a comic book artist, and uses multiple perspectives.
- Length: Approximately 115,000 words.
- Year Written: 2006
- Emotional Impact: Intense and compelling; explores themes of betrayal, revenge, and the complexities of parent-child relationships.
- Difficulty Level: Moderate; unique narrative structure with heavy themes.
- Why Read It: To experience a blend of traditional and visual storytelling while delving into contemporary issues.
10. Salem Falls
- Author: Jodi Picoult
- About: Jack St. Bride, a former teacher falsely accused of sexual misconduct, tries to start anew in a small town but faces similar accusations, highlighting themes of prejudice and the power of rumors.
- Style of Writing: Third-person narrative with multiple viewpoints, providing insight into various characters' motivations and biases.
- Length: Approximately 120,000 words.
- Year Written: 2001
- Emotional Impact: Thought-provoking; examines the consequences of false accusations and societal judgment.
- Difficulty Level: Moderate; engaging narrative with moral complexities.
- Why Read It: To explore the themes of justice, redemption, and the impact of societal prejudices.
11. Keeping Faith
- Author: Jodi Picoult
- About: After a traumatic event, seven-year-old Faith White begins to exhibit signs of stigmata and performs apparent miracles, leading to media frenzy and custody battles.
- Style of Writing: Multiple perspectives, including those of the mother, a television atheist, and a Catholic priest, exploring themes of faith and skepticism.
- Length: Approximately 125,000 words.
- Year Written: 1999
- Emotional Impact: Intriguing and emotionally charged; challenges beliefs about faith, motherhood, and the supernatural.
- Difficulty Level: Moderate; accessible language with complex themes.
- Why Read It: To delve into the interplay between faith and doubt, and the societal reactions to unexplained phenomena.
12. Perfect Match
- Author: Jodi Picoult
- About: Assistant District Attorney Nina Frost takes the law into her own hands after her son is sexually abused, leading to legal and moral consequences.
- Style of Writing: First-person narrative from Nina's perspective, providing an intimate look into a mother's anguish and quest for justice.
- Length: Approximately 110,000 words.
- Year Written: 2002
- Emotional Impact: Intense and gripping; explores the lengths a parent will go to protect their child and the ethical dilemmas involved.
- Difficulty Level: Moderate; fast-paced with legal and moral complexities.
- Why Read It: To examine the boundaries of justice, parental love, and the consequences of vigilantism.
13. Vanishing Acts
- Author: Jodi Picoult
- About: Delia Hopkins has a seemingly perfect life until she discovers that her father kidnapped her as a child, leading her to question her identity and past.
- Style of Writing: Multiple first-person narratives, shifting between characters to provide diverse perspectives.
- Length: Approximately 120,000 words.
- Year Written: 2005
- Emotional Impact: Thought-provoking; explores themes of memory, identity, and the complexities of familial bonds.
- Difficulty Level: Moderate; accessible language with intricate emotional layers.
- Why Read It: To delve into the exploration of self-identity and the moral ambiguities of right and wrong.
14. Sing You Home
- Author: Jodi Picoult
- About: Following a miscarriage and divorce, Zoe Baxter finds love with another woman, leading to a legal battle over the rights to her frozen embryos.
- Style of Writing: Alternates between multiple perspectives, including those of Zoe, her ex-husband, and her new partner.
- Length: Approximately 125,000 words.
- Year Written: 2011
- Emotional Impact: Deeply moving; tackles issues of sexuality, religion, and the definition of family.
- Difficulty Level: Moderate; engaging narrative with contemporary social issues.
- Why Read It: To explore the intersections of love, law, and societal norms in defining family.
15. Second Glance
- Author: Jodi Picoult
- About: A ghost hunter investigates supernatural occurrences in a small Vermont town, uncovering secrets related to a controversial eugenics project from the 1930s.
- Style of Writing: Interweaves past and present narratives, blending elements of mystery and historical fiction.
- Length: Approximately 115,000 words.
- Year Written: 2003
- Emotional Impact: Intriguing and haunting; delves into themes of love, loss, and the ethical implications of science.
- Difficulty Level: Moderate; combines suspenseful storytelling with historical context.
- Why Read It: To engage with a narrative that blends the supernatural with historical ethical dilemmas.
16. Picture Perfect
- Author: Jodi Picoult
- About: After being found with amnesia, a woman discovers she is married to a famous actor and must confront the reality of their abusive relationship.
- Style of Writing: Third-person narrative focusing on the protagonist's journey of self-discovery.
- Length: Approximately 110,000 words.
- Year Written: 1995
- Emotional Impact: Emotionally charged; explores themes of domestic abuse, identity, and the facades people maintain.
- Difficulty Level: Moderate; sensitive subject matter handled with care.
- Why Read It: To understand the complexities of abusive relationships and the journey toward self-empowerment.
17. Mercy
- Author: Jodi Picoult
- About: In a small Massachusetts town, a man confesses to killing his terminally ill wife in a mercy killing, leading to a trial that questions the nature of love and loyalty.
- Style of Writing: Multiple perspectives, including those of the accused, his cousin (the police chief), and the chief's wife.
- Length: Approximately 120,000 words.
- Year Written: 1996
- Emotional Impact: Thought-provoking; examines moral questions surrounding euthanasia and marital fidelity.
- Difficulty Level: Moderate; explores complex ethical issues within personal relationships.
- Why Read It: To engage with a narrative that challenges perceptions of mercy, love, and moral duty.
18. Lone Wolf
- Author: Jodi Picoult
- About: After a severe accident leaves a man in a coma, his estranged children must decide whether to keep him on life support, delving into family dynamics and the father's work with wolves.
- Style of Writing: Alternates between multiple first-person narratives, including flashbacks of the father's experiences with wolf packs.
- Length: Approximately 130,000 words.
- Year Written: 2012
- Emotional Impact: Engaging and reflective; explores themes of family bonds, autonomy, and the parallels between human and animal behavior.
- Difficulty Level: Moderate; combines emotional family drama with insightful animal behavior parallels.
- Why Read It: To explore the complexities of familial responsibility and the ethical considerations of end-of-life decisions.
19. Harvesting the Heart
- Author: Jodi Picoult
- About: The novel follows Paige, a woman who abandons her family in search of her own identity, exploring themes of motherhood, self-discovery, and forgiveness.
- Style of Writing: Third-person narrative focusing on character development and emotional introspection.
- Length: Approximately 160,000 words.
- Year Written: 1993
- Emotional Impact: Deeply moving; delves into the complexities of parental relationships and personal growth.
- Difficulty Level: Moderate; emotionally rich with accessible prose.
- Why Read It: To explore the challenges of balancing personal identity with familial responsibilities.
20. Small Great Things
- Author: Jodi Picoult
- About: The story centers on Ruth Jefferson, an African American labor and delivery nurse, who faces a legal battle after being accused of causing the death of a newborn whose white supremacist parents had requested she not touch their child.
- Style of Writing: Multiple first-person perspectives, including those of Ruth, her public defender, and the baby's father, providing a comprehensive view of the racial tensions and ethical dilemmas.
- Length: Approximately 140,000 words.
- Year Written: 2016
- Emotional Impact: Profound and thought-provoking; challenges readers to confront their own biases and the systemic nature of racism.
- Difficulty Level: Moderate; accessible language with complex social themes.
- Why Read It: To engage with contemporary discussions on race, privilege, and justice in America.
Conclusion
Jodi Picoult’s books have always stood out to me for their powerful storytelling and the way they tackle tough moral dilemmas, family struggles, and social issues with such emotional depth. Out of all her novels, I think My Sister’s Keeper, Nineteen Minutes, and The Pact are her most compelling. Each one explores difficult choices and human relationships in a way that lingers long after the last page. My Sister’s Keeper broke my heart with its themes of sacrifice, Nineteen Minutes made me rethink the impact of bullying and violence, and The Pact left me emotionally shaken with its tragic love story. If you’re looking for fiction that truly makes you think and feel, I highly recommend starting with these three.
