tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7362528912516506170.post8101703226058407176..comments2024-03-17T20:45:42.848+10:00Comments on Denise Covey: Sing You Home and other novels by Jodi Picoult, a sort-of book review and a little opinion about research.Denise Covey http://www.blogger.com/profile/07106490051555233439noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7362528912516506170.post-25550059493335322942011-08-24T09:04:46.426+10:002011-08-24T09:04:46.426+10:00Talli: It was great. She's very down to earth ...Talli: It was great. She's very down to earth mumsy.<br /><br />Ann: Nineteen Minutes was stunning, as are most of her earlier novels. Her story ideas are always great but now I think she just puts too much detail in it takes away from the story/characters. They don't seem so real any more.<br /><br />Boo hoo with the Beach Boys!<br /><br />Katie: Hi! So pleased to meet you! I'll be over soon!<br /><br />DeniseDenise Covey https://www.blogger.com/profile/07106490051555233439noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7362528912516506170.post-22171939929523402752011-08-24T03:34:53.216+10:002011-08-24T03:34:53.216+10:00Hi Denise, I linked over here from the campaign......Hi Denise, I linked over here from the campaign... I've never read Picoult, and from what you've written here, it sounds like she is trapped in the formula that established her career. A little research is a good thing, but when a novel begins to feel like a work of nonfiction, the reading can get tedious. I prefer novels that are character-driven.Katie Gateshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01264642384901419402noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7362528912516506170.post-56294076207892998622011-08-24T01:01:09.716+10:002011-08-24T01:01:09.716+10:00Jodi's Nineteen Minutes stunned me. I have ano...Jodi's Nineteen Minutes stunned me. I have another one of hers on my shelf, but haven't read it. Maybe I don't read her others because they require a lot of emotional energy and time; her books are long, and I'm not the swiftest of readers, and right now I'm having enough trouble trying to squeeze in ANY reading time between blogging and taking care of Jen (when the aide leaves) and writing (the latter is getting lost in the maze).<br /><br />From what you say here, I suspect I would feel the same way. Overkill. It's the way I've felt a few times reading a book that goes on and on with such details, and in some cases details that are trivial. Author research is needed in some cases such as in Sing You Home, it sounds like; but a little bit goes a long way. <br /><br />I definitely don't think you should try to show all you know. The central story and characters should always be in the forefront.<br /><br />Picoult has incredible energy. I think she's a brilliant writer, based on what I've read. Obviously the reading public loves her novels, too. And I love this pic of you two beautiful gals surrounded by some gorgeous greenery!<br /><br />YOUR energy also amazes me! (And I'm sorry the Beach Boys don't fly to Australia for a concert! My daughter is still talking about the night out with her favorite group.)<br /><a href="http://anncarbinebest.com/" rel="nofollow"><i>Ann Best, Author of In the Mirror, A Memoir of Shattered Secrets</i></a>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7362528912516506170.post-31216363097767635472011-08-23T23:29:48.999+10:002011-08-23T23:29:48.999+10:00Wow, so jealous you got to meet her! Can you belie...Wow, so jealous you got to meet her! Can you believe I've never read one of her novels? I must rectify that.<br /><br />Well, I'm someone who only researches when I really need to, and even then I don't write about even ten per cent of what I've learned. I think you need the research to inform your writing, but not to do info dumps.Talli Rolandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04780882465745107715noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7362528912516506170.post-37503242852797621242011-08-23T22:10:59.478+10:002011-08-23T22:10:59.478+10:00Sarah: Thanks for visiting again. My pleasure.
Ly...Sarah: Thanks for visiting again. My pleasure.<br /><br />Lynda: Yeah,wouldn't we all! And too much definitely affects the read.<br /><br />DeniseDenise Covey https://www.blogger.com/profile/07106490051555233439noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7362528912516506170.post-21027719337481606332011-08-23T14:09:39.941+10:002011-08-23T14:09:39.941+10:00Yeah... I'd like a team of researchers too! he...Yeah... I'd like a team of researchers too! hehehe.<br />Also not a fan of getting every miniscule piece of "interesting" fact unless it is relevant to the plot.Lynda R Young as Elle Cardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09975442291393246148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7362528912516506170.post-16606893934125349222011-08-23T12:04:33.612+10:002011-08-23T12:04:33.612+10:00Just wanted to say thanks for your lovely comments...Just wanted to say thanks for your lovely comments on my blog Denise, you can expect me regularly over here :)Sarah Tokeleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13273148070092101085noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7362528912516506170.post-52866957100276479902011-08-23T10:24:01.221+10:002011-08-23T10:24:01.221+10:00Jessica: Yes I've read Handle With Care and I ...Jessica: Yes I've read Handle With Care and I agree, she does surprise the reader with that ending. My Sister's Keeper surprises too but that was awhile ago. Maybe if I read it for the first time now I'd get it!<br /><br />Clarissa: Yes, me too. Definitely.<br /><br />DeniseDenise Covey https://www.blogger.com/profile/07106490051555233439noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7362528912516506170.post-86433368567370311852011-08-23T04:24:27.275+10:002011-08-23T04:24:27.275+10:00I love well-researched books but I don't want ...I love well-researched books but I don't want to be pounded over the head with information. If I wanted that research, I'd do prefer it if she referred the reader to a website or something.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12160669603997465454noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7362528912516506170.post-60891750201594231002011-08-22T22:56:53.010+10:002011-08-22T22:56:53.010+10:00I love getting stuck into Jodi's books but the...I love getting stuck into Jodi's books but the same thing bothers me too. Not only that there is so much stuff I have to wrap my head around most of the time, but I know exactly how her books are going to end :-/ The only one so far that surprised me was Handle With Care. Have you read that?Jessica Bellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10889900730906728317noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7362528912516506170.post-50497389114090693082011-08-22T13:23:37.911+10:002011-08-22T13:23:37.911+10:00Hi Michelle. I said in the post that I do enjoy he...Hi Michelle. I said in the post that I do enjoy her multiple POVs. <br />I was excited to read about Margo's books.<br /><br />Denise<br /><br />Hi Michael: Glad you're nearly ready to send BG to me. Exciting!<br /><br />DeniseDenise Covey https://www.blogger.com/profile/07106490051555233439noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7362528912516506170.post-40777903916795554382011-08-22T13:00:51.439+10:002011-08-22T13:00:51.439+10:00Hi, Denise,
I agree with you. Yes, I do believe t...Hi, Denise,<br /><br />I agree with you. Yes, I do believe that research is VERY necessary, but it should be used to balance out the story NOT overpower it.<br /><br />I hope you had a great weekend. BG is almost done and I will be sending it to you by the end of the week. I can't wait for you to read it.Michael Di Gesuhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17047267262428143113noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7362528912516506170.post-39663781361503497412011-08-22T12:47:44.429+10:002011-08-22T12:47:44.429+10:00I might be in the minority, but I’ve always loved ...I might be in the minority, but I’ve always loved a book with well-done multiple POVs. I also enjoy books that let me learn something new, but not if it feels more like it’s someone showing off their knowledge because then I can’t lose myself in the book I’m so aware of the author and not the characters.<br /><br />BTW, I’m delighted you “met” Margot Finke on Bird’s-eye View; I thought about you when I did this post, Denise. :)Michelle Fayardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05323853315988838877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7362528912516506170.post-31401938229771027692011-08-22T09:53:52.020+10:002011-08-22T09:53:52.020+10:00Hi all! Well I'm glad no one has taken too muc...Hi all! Well I'm glad no one has taken too much umbrage at me for raising this. Formula does tire after awhile and I'm glad some of you mentioned the Grafton series. I stopped reading at about C is for...When you think about it, so many writers write to a formula because it works for them, but they forget, only for awhile.<br /><br />DeniseDenise Covey https://www.blogger.com/profile/07106490051555233439noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7362528912516506170.post-64594487354588667872011-08-22T08:00:37.277+10:002011-08-22T08:00:37.277+10:00I avoid formula books like the plague - Sue Grafto...I avoid formula books like the plague - Sue Grafton did me in early on - as did others - I feel as though they're writing for the money, more hacks than novelists - not entirely fair, but, hey, give me unique creativity any day and I'm as happy as can be..Kittie Howardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07756250649095903317noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7362528912516506170.post-51976766536281766462011-08-22T07:45:09.134+10:002011-08-22T07:45:09.134+10:00This was an interesting review to me, because I go...This was an interesting review to me, because I got sucked into Sue Grafton's alphabet murder series and just kept reading. Then at about the letter R I got tired of the formula and stopped.Karen Jones Gowenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01153821980625034810noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7362528912516506170.post-6060291077354990252011-08-22T05:29:39.478+10:002011-08-22T05:29:39.478+10:00I've never read anything by Jodi Picoult.
I a...I've never read anything by Jodi Picoult.<br /><br />I agree that authors shouldn't mention absolutely everything they know about a subject--give the reader enough details to understand the story, but don't swamp them with technicalities.<br /><br />(Though, I have to say, I do enjoy it when there are details about technology in Science Fiction. Part of the reason I love Hard SF.)Golden Eaglehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08721520451194318436noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7362528912516506170.post-8470519776486742662011-08-22T05:14:48.851+10:002011-08-22T05:14:48.851+10:00Anything that takes the reader away from the story...Anything that takes the reader away from the story, including research and factual information, is not a good thing. Like you said, I don't want to know how clever you are. I want you to tell me a story!<br /><br />I still pick up Picoult every once in a while, but I agree with you that the formula is so predictable and expected that it takes some of the pleasure away. Her "ripped from the headlines" approach is starting to get to me. <br /><br />As for the surprise twist endings, they aren't so surprising or so twisty anymore - not when you're fully expecting them.<br /><br />That said, My Sister's Keeper is one of my all-time favorite books, probably because it was the first one of hers that I read. NEVER saw that ending coming...Julie Hedlundhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04477115458570906449noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7362528912516506170.post-26385018259173034442011-08-21T23:12:36.212+10:002011-08-21T23:12:36.212+10:00I've read maybe five or six Piccoult novels bu...I've read maybe five or six Piccoult novels but I'll be honest, I've stopped reading them because of the 'formula' issue. <br /><br />I agree, I don't need to know everything the author knows to enjoy the book. Sometimes less is more.Sarah Tokeleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13273148070092101085noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7362528912516506170.post-71965680714886100252011-08-21T23:03:17.849+10:002011-08-21T23:03:17.849+10:00Never read one of her books either.
I don't ne...Never read one of her books either.<br />I don't need tons of details. I prefer action and a steady pace, and that's hard to do with text loaded with details. And once an author hits formula, I lose interest.Alex J. Cavanaughhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09770065693345181702noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7362528912516506170.post-37495263208771329072011-08-21T22:59:52.416+10:002011-08-21T22:59:52.416+10:00I've only read one of her novels - and I think...I've only read one of her novels - and I think it was Salem Falls. I really enjoyed it and keep thinking I must read more.HelenMWaltershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16182100572365505905noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7362528912516506170.post-82584157779102506792011-08-21T21:01:41.231+10:002011-08-21T21:01:41.231+10:00I've never read a Picoult novel, will have to ...I've never read a Picoult novel, will have to amend that - even if it's just so I can attend one of these author talks at Noosa Heads - what a wonderful location for it!<br /><a href="http://clancytales.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow">Wagging Tales - Blog for Writers</a>Charmaine Clancyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18059559142070140041noreply@blogger.com