It is truly an arduous task for me not to become completely engrossed in Jodi Picoult's books and lose all sense of time. I devoured this particular one within a single day - I simply couldn't tear myself away from it. The way she crafts her characters is truly remarkable. She develops them to such an extent that I can vividly feel their pain. It's as if they leap off the pages and into my heart. I find myself empathizing with their struggles, their joys, and their sorrows. Jodi Picoult has this unique ability to create a world that is so real and captivating that I am irresistibly drawn into it. Each page is a new adventure, a new emotion, and I can't get enough. Her books are not just stories; they are experiences that stay with me long after I've turned the last page.

This is a Women's Fiction book.

It is the very first Jodi Picoult book that I have ever read.

Right from the start, this book had a profound impact on me, making me eager to continue exploring her works.

As I delved into the story, I found myself constantly reflecting on numerous aspects.

The characters in this book are crafted with such authenticity that they truly come to life in my imagination.

I derived great pleasure from reading this book, yet it was by no means an effortless read.

It required my full attention and engagement, challenging me to think deeply about the themes and issues presented.

Overall, this book has left a lasting impression on me and has solidified my interest in Jodi Picoult's writing.

This is truly one of the worst books that I have ever had the misfortune to read. It is only marginally better than the extremely few books that I simply could not bring myself to finish.

It is truly pathetic. One can easily envision it being made into a perfect Lifetime movie, with scenes lifted directly from "The Craft".

The whole thing just makes me want to puke. I can't believe that such a poorly written and unoriginal piece of work could even be published. It's a waste of paper and ink, and a disappointment to anyone who picks it up hoping for a good read.

I would not recommend this book to anyone, unless they have a strong stomach and a penchant for bad literature.

Well done Jodi! You've truly earned my trust back!

Just an hour ago, I wrote a book review for Harvesting the Heart. But as I've mentioned in some of my reviews or general status updates, I have a ton of reviews to write today because I'm a reading maniac/robot and I've read a whole bunch of books this week!

Salem Falls was absolutely amazing. I have no idea who bought this book for me, but thanks anyways! Whoever you are, you're the real MVP this weekend! I adored everything about this book, especially Jack and Addie! Their story was so captivating that I simply couldn't put the book down. Well, I did manage to at times, but it was extremely difficult. As we read, Jodi throws in some really great twists that made me (and will likely make you too) crave more. Additionally, seeing how the town and Addie dealt with Jack's unpleasant situation and trial was completely addicting. However, I did find myself wanting more from this book in the end. I felt like I deserved a bit more because the last part was just sort of okay. It was good, but not as outstanding as the rest of the book. I'm not even sure if that makes sense, but that's how I feel.

Oh no, I'm truly having a tough time here as I'm getting a string of 1⭐ reviews.

This book truly made me furious. In fact, many of Picoult's works have had the same effect on me, which I consider a positive thing. I was enraged by what Jack endured as he most definitely did not deserve it. I was also angry at the town of Salem Falls for being so awful and judgmental. Sadly, small towns often seem to treat newcomers this way, especially those with a past. My anger persisted throughout the entire book.

Salem Falls delves into the terrible consequences of false rape accusations and how they can truly ruin a person's life. Discussing such topics is always challenging as no matter what you say, you might step on someone's toes or end up completely offending someone without intending to. However, that is the beauty of this book. We need to talk about these uncomfortable things because what the book addresses - false rape accusations - occurs in real life.

Now, let's move on to the actual book. I did enjoy it, but it became a bit wordy at times, such as when the lawyers were conversing with the DNA expert about DNA. A lot of that went right over my head, and I was thoroughly confused. I couldn't even pronounce half of the words on the page. Picoult doesn't overlook a single detail, especially during the trial, but my eyes did glaze over in certain parts. I understand her desire to capture everything from every angle, but a little editing wouldn't have harmed the story at all.

Overall, I cannot recommend this book and Jodi Picoult highly enough. I have yet to rate one of her books lower than 3 stars. Despite the average rating, this book was excellent, and the topic was remarkable - not something that is typically discussed. I highly recommend it to anyone seeking taboo subjects to read.

3.5 stars!

tw: slut shaming, attempted rape, fat shaming, use of word r*tard, sexual assault, self harm, use of word *ndian, rape

The first novel that I read from this author, and it won't be the last.

I was pleasantly surprised. It wasn't overly romantic for me, but it was an extremely relevant and well-written story.

I'm not saying that I've never read a similar story before, but perhaps one spiced up with Wicca and turned into a courtroom drama has never come my way like this.

It has a well-structured, tense plot throughout, developed characters, motivations, and even humor!

Since it was able to maintain my interest over 500 pages, Jodi must know something – both about life and about writing.

This novel truly stands out with its unique blend of elements, making it a captivating read from start to finish.

The way the story unfolds, with its twists and turns, keeps the reader on the edge of their seat.

The characters are so vividly drawn that you can almost imagine them walking right out of the pages.

Overall, it's a great piece of work that I would highly recommend to others.

A man, who might have been unfairly convicted as a sex-offender and was formerly a private school teacher, attempts to scrape together a new life in Salem Falls. However, when his status is made public as required by law, he encounters doubt and suspicion. Then, one of a group of Wiccan girls accuses him of sexual assault, and he once again finds himself in court. This is a typically interesting and thought-provoking dilemma drama. Picoult not only explores the way we treat those accused of sexual offences but also delves into how we pigeonhole people.

It's a story that makes readers reflect on the complex issues surrounding such accusations and the impact they have on the lives of the accused. The rating of 7 out of 12 indicates that it has its strengths but may not be a perfect masterpiece.

The accompanying image adds a visual element to the review.

This was a read from 2007, and it still manages to hold the attention of readers today.

The way they paint a teenage sexual abuse survivor as an evil, pathologically-lying temptress is truly abhorrent.

And to portray a guy with clearly bad boundaries as an oh-so-sad victim of a scary girl's false accusations is just absolute garbage.

This kind of misrepresentation not only further victimizes the survivor but also gives a free pass to the perpetrator.

It is crucial that we see the truth and not fall for such false narratives.

We should believe and support the survivors, and hold the abusers accountable.

Anything less is a disservice to justice and a continuation of the cycle of abuse.

We must do better to ensure that the voices of the survivors are heard and that they are treated with the respect and dignity they deserve.

I thoroughly enjoyed this well-written novel.

The characters were engaging and the plot was so captivating that it pushed the reader forward. I read well past my usual bedtime because I was compelled to keep turning the pages.

Salem Falls is inspired by Arthur Miller's The Crucible. However, this time, 'the witches' get to make the accusations and start the swirl of doubt that encircles the townspeople.

Jack McBride, a former teacher turned drifter, has a tragic past. His former student accused him of being involved in a romance, and the fallout included jail time. Haunted by this past, he can't settle. He meets kind Addie and rests for a while in her town, Salem Falls. But then, he is targeted again with an accusation of sexual assault by a teenage girl who flirts with the Wicca craft and bullies her friends into a coven.

Picoult deals with this sensitive subject with an even hand. She addresses both false accusations against men and the horrible circumstances that female victims face. This complex issue is viewed from many sides, and I don't think I have ever read anything that so comprehensively takes in different points of view.

This is my first Jodi Picoult novel, but it won't be my last. She is super talented, and it is my loss that I didn't read her sooner. I look forward to exploring more of her works and being drawn into her captivating stories once again.

Among the contemporary writers, I have also been reading 'Salem Falls' by Jodi Picoult recently. What I truly appreciate about her is that she doesn't merely expose the evils of society; instead, she juxtaposes our strengths right beside our frailties.

Let me give you several examples of the positives in her book. In the opening scene, I am deeply touched by the compassion of the taxi driver. When Jack is walking down the highway, almost naked on a bitterly cold day and without any money, the taxi driver picks him up for free.

Then, right at the beginning, you witness the reciprocative acts of protection between him and the woman Addie when he shows up at her restaurant. Later, on many occasions, you can see the dignity of Jack shining through.

The act of self-sacrifice that Jack undertakes to protect Addie's drunk father is truly remarkable. Addie, despite her inner conflicts, goes to great lengths to help Jack. And Wes, in spite of their rivalry, shows generosity towards Jack.

In terms of craft, this author keeps us in a state of uncertainty until the very end, compelling us to read every single line because you never know how the story will conclude.

I believe Picoult has done an outstanding job here, presenting a realistic story in a way that is a balanced blend of good and bad, where nothing turns out predictably.

Another great writer I have come to appreciate is Tony Morrison. Although at times I struggle to follow her use of dialects, I think in 'Shula' and 'Beloved' she has truly crafted some extraordinary characters, with vivid descriptions and powerful interior monologues.

I truly wish we had some great female writers in France, just as you do in America.

I was waiting for my car to be ready from the service.

I sat down in a used-books store for the second time in one hour.

I picked this book out of the shelves rather than the one in my handbag and started reading.

It hooked me immediately, so I bought it.

Once upon a time (June 2008) Jodi Picoult's "Nineteen Minutes" was the first book I had read for fun in several months.

I read it during a weekend when I could not get out of bed from exhaustion and it got me back on my feet.

So Jodi Picoult has a special place in my heart, although I haven't loved all her books and I don't really read her anymore.

There is usually some sort of twist that can be sensed from miles away.

In this novel, Jack has been let out of prison for a minor sexual offense.

He has nowhere to go and by chance he ends up in Salem Falls.

He saves restaurant owner Addie out of a pickle and lands a job helping out.

He has to report himself to the nearest police station due to his status, which he does.

The information does not stay unknown for long and Jack promptly gets into trouble by small town folks with lynching on their minds.

The situation gets decidedly out of hand when one of the high school girls claims Jack raped her.

I liked Jack from the start and figured he'd been set up.

There is the nagging thought nonetheless, that perhaps he isn't quite who he claims to be.

There are some parts of the book that don't seem to fit well together, but I enjoyed it so much I didn't really care.

Maybe I should start to read Jodi Picoult again after all.