**"My Thoughts on a Picoult Book"**

On 11/10/08, I finally finished this book that I had been dreading carrying around in my purse for another day. I read it for my book club, which usually selects much better books. I had never been interested in reading a Picoult book before, and I doubt I will again.

The story is about Faith White, who starts talking to God and developing stigmata after her parents' separation and divorce. There are also medical issues, a custody battle, and a hot Southern television guy who is supposed to prove Faith is a fraud but ends up falling for her mom.

I had many issues with this book. Firstly, it was extremely formulaic, like Picoult had a system for churning out books for a female market. The characters and details were interchangeable, and I'm sure another Picoult book would be the same with just a few changes.

Secondly, for a beach read, it took itself way too seriously. It pretended to be about religion and protecting children, but it was really just a predictable story with some courtroom drama thrown in.

Thirdly, although the characters kept insisting the story was about Faith, Picoult didn't pay much attention to her until the end. Instead, the focus was on Mariah, the mother.

Fourthly, I didn't find any of the characters to be deep or likable. They were all stereotypes or one-dimensional.

Finally, Picoult wanted to make it seem like the book was more complicated than it was, but she didn't put in the effort to write a truly complex story.

Thankfully, the book club meeting isn't for a while, so I can rant about this book for a few more days. But right now, I'm just wondering how many times Picoult watched "Contact" and if she was trying to cover up the fact that Ian's character was like Matthew McConaughey's in that movie.

On 11/06/08, I sighed, thinking this wasn't the kind of book I would choose for a book club of intelligent young women.

Actual Rating: 4.5/5

My Original Thoughts (2001):

This is an excellent read! It is truly engaging and thought-provoking. I was completely drawn into the story from the very beginning. I will definitely read more of Picoult's books as I have fallen in love with her writing style. This novel is full of suspense, which keeps you on the edge of your seat throughout. I firmly believe that it would make a great movie. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good, captivating story.

My Current Thoughts:

This was the first book I'd read by Jodi Picoult, but unfortunately, it's not one that I'd like to reread. Although I've read and loved nearly everything she's written, this particular book isn't one of my favorites, despite the high rating it has received. There were certain aspects of the story that didn't quite resonate with me as much as her other works. However, I still appreciate Picoult's talent as a writer and will continue to explore her other books in the future.

February 24, 2013
I embarked on reading some of Jodi Picoult's works, and I have to admit, I'm thoroughly enjoying it. I have a particular fondness for "Keeping Faith." What I love about it is the way I can always find a connection to the books I select. "Keeping Faith" delves into the theme of a broken marriage. When I began reading this book, my thoughts immediately turned to my own family. I couldn't help but wonder, what if I had to experience the broken marriage of my parents? This book is like a wake-up call, making me realize that when faced with a broken marriage, we should not wallow in self-pity but instead, always strive to move forward. The title "Keeping Faith" is indeed fitting. It's not just about the daughter named Faith but also about the other meaning of faith, which is a strong belief in something.

March 3rd, 2013
"Keeping Faith" has been a book that I've yearned to read for a long time. Out of all the books I've read thus far, none have been as profound as this one, which suits my situation perfectly. I'm a deeply religious person, and I have a firm belief in Faith. This book takes me on a journey through the impossibilities of life, especially bringing me closer to God. For me, at this moment, reading this book gives me those good kinds of goosebumps. It helps me to calm myself, especially during the turmoil of a broken marriage.

March 10, 2013
"Keeping Faith" is undoubtedly one of those "life-learning" books. It exudes inspiration and motivation, allowing us readers to understand that things happen for a reason. Faith's parents' marriage broke down for a specific purpose, and when Faith started to have encounters with God, or in other words, called God closer to her, miracles began to unfold. What I don't like about this book is that, like most books we read, it makes us wonder what will happen in the next chapter, similar to how we anticipate the next episode of a TV series. I didn't really appreciate being left in a state of wonder, even though books can sometimes be mysterious. However, due to the large amount of work I have, I still wanted to continue reading this book because of the curiosities and questions that lingered in my mind about the next chapter. I guess I just don't like restraining myself, especially when I'm on the verge of discovering what happens next!

This was the very first Jodi Picoult book that I have ever had the pleasure of reading, and I truly, deeply enjoyed it!

I found myself having to set the book down on multiple occasions because I was so irritated by the characters and the plot. However, this was a good kind of irritated. It meant that I was completely invested in the story, and that the characters and their actions had the power to evoke such strong emotions within me.

The characters in the book were incredibly realistic. They had their flaws, their strengths, and their own unique personalities. I could easily picture them in my mind and understand their motives and actions.

The ending of the book was also pretty satisfying. It tied up all the loose ends and left me feeling a sense of closure. Overall, I thought this was a very good book, and I will definitely be reading it again in the future.