Do you believe in ghosts? Or in what we refer to as paranormal activity? I used to watch a show named 'Ghost Hunters'. As the name implies, in this program, they search for ghosts in attics and old mansions. With the aid of some devices, they sort of demonstrated to us the presence of an energy in these locations. I was actually intrigued by the concept. I have always believed in the unknown energy surrounding us, something like the existence of a sixth sense.

However, when I chose to read 'Second Glance', I never anticipated the story to be like that. My initial thought about 'Second Glance' was that it was just a book in which the existence of ghosts and invisible forces on earth would be questioned, and in the end, science would prevail. I was so certain! But how wrong I was!

This is my first Jodi Picoult book. I have two of her books on my 'to-read' list, namely 'My Sister's Keeper' and 'Nineteen Minutes'. But apparently, I decided to read 'Second Glance', and this book was a wake-up call! 'Second Glance' shook my beliefs regarding the undefined forces of nature. Don't think I'm delusional, but it's the truth.

Not bad at all.

I really liked this novel and its characters. There were several very funny moments throughout the story, which made it quite enjoyable.

Unlike some of Picoult's other books that are often filled with controversy, this one had less of that, making it a lighter read compared to most of her works.

I initially expected the beginning to be a bit slow, and indeed, it had some moments that were not overly fast-paced. However, it wasn't as slow as I had anticipated.

One aspect that I really liked was the ghost element. I was a bit skeptical at first because I thought it might be similar to Danielle Steel's "Past Present" where the ghosts appeared in a certain way. But to my surprise, it wasn't. The way Picoult incorporated the ghost aspect was actually very well-written and added an interesting layer to the story.

Overall, I would say that this book is not bad at all. In fact, I liked it simply because it was an engaging and entertaining read that managed to keep my interest from start to finish.

I read this awhile back but just realized I did not add it. So, I wanted to make sure I did it this time.

I have a deep love for Jodi Picoult's books. Her writing has the power to draw me in and keep me hooked from the very first page.

Each of her stories is unique, filled with complex characters and thought-provoking themes. Whether it's a story about family, love, or justice, Jodi Picoult always manages to bring out the best in her readers.

Her books make me think, feel, and question my own beliefs and values. They are not just entertainment, but also a source of inspiration and enlightenment.

I can't wait to read more of her works and see what new adventures and insights she has in store for us.

A Jodi Picoult novel is truly a masterpiece when it comes to complex characters, and "Second Glance" is no exception. It is filled with a diverse cast of characters who add depth and richness to the story.

Ross, the main character, is dealing with the loss of his wife Aimee in a car accident. This tragedy has left him feeling empty and without purpose. However, as he meets various other characters throughout the story, his perspective on life begins to change, and living becomes a little easier for him.

The book explores themes of loss, guilt, and the search for redemption. It is not just a simple ghost story; it also delves deep into the dark history of eugenics, a subject that is both fascinating and disturbing. Picoult manages to handle this sensitive topic with great care and respect, making it an important part of the story.

One of the things that makes this book so enjoyable is the way all the characters are connected. At first, it may not be obvious, but as the story unfolds, it becomes clear that everyone has a role to play. The plot twists are cleverly crafted, and even though I was able to figure some of them out, I still found the story engaging and interesting.

In conclusion, "Second Glance" is an amazing book that I highly recommend. It is a thought-provoking and emotional read that will stay with you long after you finish the last page. Jodi Picoult has once again proven herself to be a master storyteller, and this book is a must-read for anyone who loves a good novel.

Originally posted on Abookthiefandawordshaker

I was truly torn when it came to this.

I am an enormous Jodi Picoult fan. She is the very reason I have such a profound love for books. So, naturally, I wanted to love this book just like I love all of her other works.

Sadly, however, I just didn't. The first flaw that stood out to me was the huge number of characters that were introduced so early on. And to make matters worse, they are all in some way linked. I found myself completely unable to keep up.

And then there was the storyline. It was such a wonderful concept, but once again, it just seemed to be lost on me. It was far fetched, complicated, over the top, and way too intricate.

It's a real shame, but by no means does it reflect poorly on Picoult. She is truly gold, and I will continue to be a devoted fan, eagerly anticipating her next release.

It took me a while to get into this story, not only because of the many characters it presents to us, but also because of the very scattered themes it begins to develop.

Only from the 2nd part did I really start to appreciate the story and feel some connection with the characters.

The part about the ghosts bored me a bit, but the part about Project Eugénio was really very interesting.

It's not one of the best by the author, nor one of the ones I liked the most, although I read it very quickly, but still, it's worth reading.

Overall, the story has its flaws, such as the initial disjointedness and the somewhat tiresome ghost part. However, the interesting aspects of Project Eugénio manage to redeem it to some extent.

Despite not being a masterpiece, it offers enough to keep the reader engaged and interested, especially for those who enjoy stories with a touch of mystery and a diverse cast of characters.

So, if you're looking for a quick read that has its moments of intrigue and excitement, this story might be worth giving a try.

This is an incredibly wonderful book!

I dedicated approximately 6 hours to reading it from cover to cover, and I simply couldn't put it down.

The story was so captivating and engaging that it held my attention throughout.

Every page turned revealed new and exciting details that kept me on the edge of my seat.

The author's writing style was excellent, making it easy for me to immerse myself in the world of the book.

I found myself completely lost in the story, forgetting about everything else around me.

By the time I reached the end, I was left with a sense of satisfaction and a desire to read more by this author.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a great read.

It's definitely one that will stay with you long after you've finished reading it.

I read this book quite some time ago.

To be honest, I really loved it. In fact, I have a great affection for all of Jodi Picoult's books.

Her writing style is so engaging and captivating that once I start reading, I just can't put the book down.

Each of her stories is unique and thought-provoking, dealing with complex and often controversial themes.

The characters she creates are vivid and realistic, making it easy for readers to connect with them on an emotional level.

Whether it's a story about family, love, friendship, or social issues, Jodi Picoult always manages to tell it in a way that leaves a lasting impression on the reader.

I highly recommend her books to anyone who loves a good read.

I have a profound affection for Jodi Picoult. However, the drawback of delving into numerous books by a single author is that one begins to discern specific patterns and can even anticipate the outcome of any given situation.

Early on, I had a fairly clear idea of what befell Cecilia's baby, and I'm certain that most readers shared this perception. Moreover, due to a riddle I learned in elementary school, I was quite convinced that I knew how Cecilia met her demise. When the truth was ultimately disclosed and I discovered that I was correct, I was rather at a loss as to how to feel about it. I'm not attempting to boast or anything of the sort. In fact, when I engage in reading, I strive not to predict the ending. I relish being surprised. Regrettably, it seems that Jodi Picoult is no longer able to astonish me.

Nevertheless, it was still a good book. It was engaging and well-written, as is her trademark. There are certain technical aspects that make me cringe, such as her excessive use of commas. Despite this, I still derived enjoyment from the book and highly recommend it.

This book is not what I initially expected it to be.

Right from the start, I was somewhat astonished by the subject matter. However, having perused numerous other books of hers, I had faith in her ability to lead me on an adventure.

It was penned in a distinct manner compared to many of her other works. It brought to my mind the movie Babel - a collection of diverse stories that ultimately all converge.

I don't usually have a penchant for this type of narrative as there are frequently an excessive number of threads to keep track of. In this instance, though, it functioned quite effectively, despite having as many unexpected twists as there were foreseeable plot elements.

Overall, it was an interesting read that challenged my preconceptions and took me on an unexpected literary journey.

If you dig into my archive, you’ll find only two measly Jodi Picoult reviews. One of them is for “Keeping Faith,” which is among my all-time favorite books. The review for it can be found here. The other is for “Change of Heart,” which you can find here. In truth, though, I’ve read over 7 of her books. These include “Nineteen Minutes,” “Salem Falls,” “The Pact,” “My Sister’s Keeper,” “Handle With Care,” “Perfect Match,” and “The Tenth Circle.”

It’s no secret how much I love her books, her style, and her content. However, I know there are many who dislike her with an even stronger passion that rivals my adoration. Today’s review is on the book that competes with “Keeping Faith” in my eyes for the best Picoult book ever. And that’s saying a lot.

“Second Glance” was actually the first book of hers that I bought on a whim, from a charity shop many years ago. It would be years later that I actually picked up the battered and torn paperback. Its pages were falling off its spine, and I wondered why on earth I even had a book in my possession that was less than perfect physically. Even more than that, I wondered why I had PAID for it. This set me on the path to pick it up and read it. And my god, was I blown away.

With all my reviews up to date, I’ve scoured my shelves to write a series of new reviews for books that I’ve loved but never gotten around to writing about. In the upcoming weeks, my blog will feature some classics like “The Great Gatsby,” more up-to-date love/hate stories like “The Host,” and many more in between. Today, though, is the day for “Second Glance.”

This book is a culmination of everything I love in a story, and yet it was something I never expected. I want to brand it a ghost story, but it’s so much more than that. It ties in love, loyalty, history, and when everything in your world collides with another world you thought was outside of your reach. I picked this up because the premise promised me a ghost story. And though I was skeptical at first (because let’s face it, no one really writes a proper ghost story), I succumbed to the tale and couldn’t believe I had finally gotten a ghost story worthy of my time and love. [Update: I’ve typed the word “ghost” 5 times.]

Our story starts with Ross Wakeman, a man who lost the love of his life and is desperately spending the rest of what he has left to follow her into the world he can’t be a part of. His desire to depart this world ironically keeps him firmly rooted in the current world, as he becomes almost immune to death. Get struck by lightning? He manages to stay alive. Stand on rooftops in heavy storms fixing electrical items? He never gets a shock. Even suicide eludes him. He feels trapped, with nothing to live for.

Picoult creates such wonderfully flawed characters. There’s no shortage of them, from Ross to his sister Shelby, his nephew Ethan, Eli (the police officer guy), Meredith and her daughter Lucy, John Delacour, and the eugenics story. It seems like there are a lot of threads interweaving in this story, and I know it \\n  sounds\\n like it should be a recipe for disaster. Yet it’s not. There’s such depth to each individual, perfectly fleshed out with their own flaws and vices, their own struggles. I connected with each and every one, and that’s saying something. Each character represents something intangible, a representation of loss, of love, life, fear, a past they can’t escape, and a future they can’t envision. All are wound together with wonderful poetic prose and a story-writing style that has you hooked from beginning to end. I read this in one sitting, literally couldn’t put the book down in the 3/4 hours it took me to read it and be shattered by it. It’s haunting, chilling, and heartwarming, and Picoult literally wrote a masterpiece with this in my eyes. She follows the same style as with her other books, controversial topics but written with care and balance. Yet this one book feels so \\n  different\\n than the others, somehow more personal even though I couldn’t personally relate to a single thing that happens in the book. Yet I felt like I could. *nervous laughter*

One of my favorite aspects of the book, aside from the whole thing itself (duh), was the inclusion of the eugenics history and the Abenaki tribe beliefs and traditions. Two sides of one coin, so perfectly balanced and well-researched to be respectful but still bring that extra edge to the story. It was fascinating and horrifying to read about a program like that which sadly did exist, and Picoult plays up the repercussions of that part of our history and shows us the horrors it entailed.

The best way to get into this book, though, is to go in with your eyes closed. Don't read any reviews, don't read too much into the premise, but just go in blind, okay? The story will do the rest. It will take you left and right and up and down (you get the gist). \\n  It's a story you have to let happen to you\\n. That's the only way you'll really feel the tale that's been spun here. So many wondrous twists, bound together so neatly.

“Ross Wakeman succeeded the first time he killed himself, but not the second or the third.”

With a trademark opening like that, you really, really can’t go wrong. One of my favorite books and one of Picoult’s best, I’d highly recommend this book. And if you do pick it up, I’m going to sit here, twiddling my thumbs, waiting for you to report back to me about how much you loved it.

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Exciting, complex, with a big plot and at the same time highly entertaining. This is the kind of story that keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. The excitement builds with each turn of the page, as you are drawn into a world full of mystery and intrigue. The complex characters and their relationships add depth and dimension to the plot, making it a truly engaging read. And yet, despite its complexity, the story remains highly entertaining, with plenty of action and adventure to keep you entertained. Whether you're a fan of mystery, thriller, or adventure novels, this one is sure to satisfy. So sit back, relax, and prepare to be taken on a wild ride through a world of excitement and mystery.