jodi-picoult – Book Journey

Picoult never ceases to amaze, Wish You Were Here caught my totally by surprise in all the right ways. ~Sheila

Diana and Finn are moving forward in their relationship and their careers. Diana works in the auctioning of art, and Finn is a Surgical resident. As the couple prepare for a wonderful vacation in the Galápagos, Diana knows Finn is about to pop the question and can think of no better setting.

The days before they are planned to leave, a virus breaks out that brings the world to its knees. Finn finds out it is all hands on deck at the hospital and no one is approved to leave. He encourages Diana to use her ticket and at least get a chance to get away from whatever is going on. Hesitantly, Diana agrees.

The vacation of course is no where near as planned. Between harsh remarks and looks from the locals towards Diana for coming from an area that the virus is heavy so she can be “on vacation”, poor to no cell service, and the surprise that stores and restaurants are closed. As the island goes on lockdown, Diana finds that she can not get back to Finn even when her vacation is over.

As she makes a few friends, and learns the way of a slower paced life, Diana finds she has time to think more of the life she was creating, her relationship with her mother who is in memory care – and wondering if when she returns to Finn, will she be the same person that he knew.

This was my first fictional read centered around the COVID/a virus outbreak. Well, unless you count Year One by Nora Roberts which is just freaky as her book was written before we even knew what COVID was.

The book started out a little paced, the beginning feeling a bit slow for me, and basically about a woman questioning her decision to get on that plane in the first place. It’s definitely different than anything I read by Picoult before and I found myself not really getting the point of this being book worthy.

It’s not the first time I made a decision on a book too soon….

Let me say this. Hold on to your brain cells because Picoult is once again going to blow you away with a remarkable twist that as it was revealed I really found myself saying….. Whoaaa….No…. way.

Worth the read? You bet. I’m sure there are thousands of fictional reads out there about the pandemic (either the one we lived through, or a made up one). The way this book handles a couple of BIG topics and shows a side of the pandemic that I never considered in nothing less than brilliant.

Do yourself a favor and pick this book up today or enjoy it on audio.

Occasionally one can forget how amazing an author is until they dive into another of their books… Picoult once again takes me into a world that I swear I come out better on the other side of the pages. ~Sheila

Olivia McAfee is a strong woman. When the man she loved turned out to have a side that endangered not only herself, but her son Asher as well, she leaves. When her father passed away, she makes the move back to New Hampshire and takes over his Beekeeping Business. And when Asher is accused of killing his high school girlfriend, she stands by her son… even when unwanted doubts creep in….

You never know how strong you are… until being strong is your only choice. ~Bob Marley

I went into this read only knowing that it is getting rave reviews, and something something about bee keeping… which fun fact… I know a little about from a friend who has a Bee Business and an adventure I took with her in the fall of 2014….

Of course, if you read this book… you know it is about WAY MORE than bees and honey… but honestly, the parallels of the bee keeping story line that is woven within the pages is brilliant… I learned more about bees – and more about people.

Mad Honey may very well be the best book I have read so far this year. Jodi Picoult, along with co-author Jennifer Finney Boylan, created an incredible read that gave me so much more than I thought it would. The book reminded me how much I enjoy Jodi Picoult’s ability to bring hard topics to life and give you a well-rounded perspective of all sides. This partnership with Boylan, I am certain only enhanced the story.

For me, definitely a book I did not want to put down, I felt as though I was waiting right along with the rest of those within the pages to hear the outcome, myself wavering on what I believed happened…. hoping for the best – fearing the worst… and even when you think you know… Do you really?

Highly recommended… as mentioned – Picoult is known for taking on tough topics (Nineteen Minutes) – sadly looking at my review that I wrote in 2008 does not do that book justice and may be due for a re-read.
Give Mad Honey a chance and be sure to let me know if you do and what you thought!
Full on 5 star from me… for so many reasons.

~Sheila