House Rules, Handle with Care, Plain Truth, Songs of the Humpback Whale

The last of the ones above has an interesting style of writing that supplements the title and the theme.

Any of her books I would recommend, hers are the only contemporary novels that I only lend to family (and friends who are like family) and will never discard, donate or sell.

My least favorite:Harvesting the Heart.

I had not read anything of hers until recently. House Rules was important to me because the protagonist is on the autism spectrum and has Asperger syndrome. I wasn't diagnosed with AS until I was in my late 50s and I am still discovering myself at 66. I was impressed with Picoult's obvious research into the syndrome and the way she used it to create a well written mystery that turns on the protagonist's individual and very odd and unusual personal traits. I will definitely read her other books but I am waiting for them to drop in the Kindle price editions.

I had the opportunity to meet Jodi Picoult a few years back; she is a very energetic, very engaging young woman. Ms Picoult talked about how she draws her ideas for books from the major news stories of the day, particularly the ones that have a bearing on how we go about living our daily lives here in America. She stated that she has never had to deal with writers' block because the newspapers supply her with all the ideas she needs.
During the bookclub meeting someone asked Ms Picoult if she still thinks about any of the charcters of her books. She said yes, the teenagers in The Pact. Of the books which I have read by Ms Picoult, The Pact was my least favorite; my favorite was My Sister's Keeper.
Ms Picoult is known for the twists in plot at the end of her books, so be prepared!
Mudlady - did you think Jodi Picoult developed an accurate representation of someone who has AS?

Here is a link that might be useful: http://www.jodipicoult.com/

Thykras,
I spent my entire life being told I was weird and believing it. I have been aware of autism in its most severe forms for years, but never thought that diagnosis might apply to me. I began to think I might have AS from off topic discussions by members of another list for people who have prosopagnosia (lay person's term: faceblindness). I very definitely am face blind and began to wonder about AS because a number of members of the face blind list talked freely about their autism or AS problems. There is no scientific proof, but it does appear that there may be a correlation between prosopagnosia and AS. I became interested about my "weirdness" and began to research AS. An online test I took indicated I am slightly positive on the AS spectrum. I have not paid for a professional diagnosis but there is no doubt in my mind that the online test is accurate. Jodi Picoult's character is far more colorful and more severely affected than I and makes for an interesting and suspenseful plot. Because I have some knowledge of AS I do appreciate the thoroughness and completeness of her research. A mental health professional may be able to identify mistakes made by Picoult, but I can't. I am still learning about AS and how it affects me. I have finally found some comfort in understanding why I am so different form âÂÂnormalâ people.

I have liked some Picoult books - Plain Truth and Keeping Faith being my favourites, but I didn't like some of her more recent offerings. Several of them have felt to me as though she has written a list of things to put in the book, and then just made up a story to fit them all in.
And although I seem to be alone in this, I thought the end of My Sister's Keeper was a complete cop out. I won't be more specific as I don't want to give spoilers, but it all seemed a bit too neat and I thought she took the easy way out.

Kath-you are not alone.

Thanks cece - you are the first person who has ever outright agreed with me on that!

astrokath and ccrdmrbks, add me to those who think the ending of "My Sister's Keeper" is a cop out. I hated it, but I hated "The Pact" worst of all. Picoult's books are always popular in my reading groups. I have never really figured out why, except that they are so topical.

Although I really enjoy her books, I can see your point of view about the "list of things I have to include" concept.

However, I think she is very effective at hitting the emotional points of the issues she covers.

Shortly after finishing House Rules, I was fabirc shopping for a quilt project. I reached for one bolt of fabric, and heard an inner voice say, "Oh, but that's orange, I can't get that." Those who have read the book will understand. I realized cause and effect very quickly, but it sure made an impression on me of that small part of the life of the mother in the book. And all parents of children with Asperger's.

I have discovered that although I really enjoyed the Picoult book I read, in looking for another I find that I do not like her subject matter at all !

I guess I lucked out by finding SALEM FALLS first.

Lydia-me too! I threatened to quit book club (well, they knew I wouldn't ;-) if we read one more. I find her to be a deliberately manipulative writer. Kath's "list" comment describes it well. Her craft is too obvious for me. "Time for them to cry now....."
Also, I live where Plain Truth is set, and she dropped some huge clangers in that book, which has influenced how I see her work as well.