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Nineteen Minutes
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In nineteen minutes, you can mow the front lawn, color your hair, watch a third of a hockey game. In nineteen minutes, you can bake scones or get a tooth filled by a dentist; you can fold laundry for a family of five....In nineteen minutes, you can stop the world, or you can just jump off it. In nineteen minutes, you can get revenge.
Sterling is a small, ordinary New Hamps ...more
Sterling is a small, ordinary New Hamps ...more
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Hardcover, 440 pages
Published
March 5th 2007
by Atria Books
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This book is a hard book to put down because the entire time you're seeking answers. Why? What actually happened? What made it progress to this? Things like that. Things that people asked after Columbine, most recently after Virginia Tech, and after all the other school shootings. Once again Jodi Picoult tackles a sensitive and controversial issue, in an amazingly strong and dignified manner that doesn't have you choosing sides.
She did it to the reader in My Sister's Keeper, where the minute you ...more
She did it to the reader in My Sister's Keeper, where the minute you ...more

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.

YOWSA!! What a thought provoking, absorbing listen!!
While I’m 12 years late, it was great to finally get around to this incredible read, no matter how difficult the subject matter, and unfortunately, still so relevant today.
I chose the audiobook format and found it very hard to hit the “pause” button.
It was impossible for me to not to fall in love with some characters and feel utter hate for the actions of others.
I am purposely being vague about the storyline, as I cannot encourage you enough ...more
While I’m 12 years late, it was great to finally get around to this incredible read, no matter how difficult the subject matter, and unfortunately, still so relevant today.
I chose the audiobook format and found it very hard to hit the “pause” button.
It was impossible for me to not to fall in love with some characters and feel utter hate for the actions of others.
I am purposely being vague about the storyline, as I cannot encourage you enough ...more

Believe it or not, I have never actually read one of Jodi Piccoult's books before. I'm not really sure why, but I haven't.
This particular book has really stayed with me as I finished it, and I think Piccoult makes a few very important points/observations.
1. Sometimes the perpetrator of a heinous crime is the biggest victim of them all. Reading the things that Peter went through sometimes brought me to tears. I have never understood how people can treat others so badly, and the behavior of the b ...more
This particular book has really stayed with me as I finished it, and I think Piccoult makes a few very important points/observations.
1. Sometimes the perpetrator of a heinous crime is the biggest victim of them all. Reading the things that Peter went through sometimes brought me to tears. I have never understood how people can treat others so badly, and the behavior of the b ...more

When I read this book a few years ago, I had already gotten through four other Jodi Picoult - My Sister's Keeper, The Tenth Circle, Vanishing Acts, and The Plain Truth, in case anyone cares. I feel that we had a good relationship. Sure, after the first exciting fling things got predictable pretty fast ("gee, I wonder if this one will have dramatic courtroom scenes?"), but Jodi was still able to keep me hooked. Then I read Nineteen Minutes, and decided it was time to call it off.
One big problem ...more
One big problem ...more

Jul 03, 2018
Whitney Atkinson
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
audiobook,
read-in-2018
3.5 Stars
The oldest book on my TBR is finally complete!! My sophomore year of high school, a classmate of mine gave a presentation on this book saying it was her favorite of all time, and ever since then I've been interested in what she loved so much about it. Books about school shootings have always intrigued me, but they're especially relevant today. I'm glad I read this book after I read A Mother's Reckoning because that gave such an insight to being in the critical spotlight as the mother of ...more
The oldest book on my TBR is finally complete!! My sophomore year of high school, a classmate of mine gave a presentation on this book saying it was her favorite of all time, and ever since then I've been interested in what she loved so much about it. Books about school shootings have always intrigued me, but they're especially relevant today. I'm glad I read this book after I read A Mother's Reckoning because that gave such an insight to being in the critical spotlight as the mother of ...more

Read this years ago — gripping towards the end!!! I thought it was very engaging - disturbing- honest - and the situations of how things unraveled were thought provoking
Still remember it....
Not sure why I never wrote a review-
But I was inspired by having just read a review by KAS who recently read it.
We are NEVER LATE TO READ A BOOK ....
older books are rock!!!!
often better than recent books!
Dedicated to KAS ...
Enjoyed her reaction to this book - her NOT being late to the party!!!
The story h ...more
Still remember it....
Not sure why I never wrote a review-
But I was inspired by having just read a review by KAS who recently read it.
We are NEVER LATE TO READ A BOOK ....
older books are rock!!!!
often better than recent books!
Dedicated to KAS ...
Enjoyed her reaction to this book - her NOT being late to the party!!!
The story h ...more

This is a powerful read. After an act of violence is perpetuated at the local high school, those 19 minutes change a New Hampshire town forever. The writing is riveting and poignant. We are reading about the events leading up to the climax. The history of the individuals involved. Their mindset. It's a lot to take in. Especially because the good aren't all good and the bad aren't all bad. I think as readers, it puts us in a unique and introspective position as we are not shown only the parts tha
...more

I tend to rate books by how much they make me think, how much they make me feel, and how much they draw me into their world. With an almost obsessive interest in Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, Nineteen Minutes gets high marks from me. The book starts with the scene of a school shooting where you feel a disgust for the kid doing the shooting and sorrow for the victims but as you glean settings from flashbacks you come to sympathize with everyone in the book as a victim, each experiencing loss of
...more

I can't stop loving this book, if you guys only have the chance to read this. Sometimes I find her works destructing, annoying and a good sleeping pill for those people who suffer from insomnia. I might be too judgmental but swear, you can take my words after reading her earlier works. This time Picoult wanted to portray a community, a school, where innocent students were bullied by the jocks. The reality of a typical American school environment for students who suffer to stand out in the crowd
...more

The only other Picoult book I read was My Sister's Keeper, and I enjoyed it quite a bit. Nineteen Minutes is a favorite among most people, so I had this one slated to read whenever I wanted a quick summer read.
For the last 100 or so pages, I could hardly put it down. Her formula for keeping the reader engaged works very well.
But I had some issues with this book that annoyed the hell out of me. Firstly, I have never come across so many stupid and needless analogies. Or are they similes? Whatever. ...more
For the last 100 or so pages, I could hardly put it down. Her formula for keeping the reader engaged works very well.
But I had some issues with this book that annoyed the hell out of me. Firstly, I have never come across so many stupid and needless analogies. Or are they similes? Whatever. ...more

This is what I have come to understand about Jodi Picoult. She takes a controversial or emotionally-charged topic. School shootings. Childhood leukemia. Amish people. Then she centers that topic around terribly cliched characters and cranks the schmaltz meter to 11. The novels alternate between characters' points of view so quickly that Picoult rivals most TV news stations in offering endless shallow ten-second bits of information. Each little section, offered at a rate that would overwhelm even
...more

Nineteen Minutes, Jodi Picoult
The story begins on March 6, 2007 in the small town of Sterling, New Hampshire, tracking the lives of a number of characters on an "ordinary day." The characters include Alex Cormier, a superior court judge; her daughter Josie, a junior in high school; Lacy, Lewis, and Peter Houghton; Detective Patrick Ducharme; and several victims-to-be. At the local high school, Sterling High, the story follows a routine day of students in classes, at the gym, and in the cafeteria ...more
The story begins on March 6, 2007 in the small town of Sterling, New Hampshire, tracking the lives of a number of characters on an "ordinary day." The characters include Alex Cormier, a superior court judge; her daughter Josie, a junior in high school; Lacy, Lewis, and Peter Houghton; Detective Patrick Ducharme; and several victims-to-be. At the local high school, Sterling High, the story follows a routine day of students in classes, at the gym, and in the cafeteria ...more

This was such a difficult novel to read.
I'd never been bullied in school, or maybe I had been and I just never noticed. I was a straight A's student with no social life outside the classroom and whose idea of fun consisted of staying up all night reading a vampire fantasy. I suppose I felt proud of myself and so any criticism went by mostly unnoticed.
That's probably why it was so shocking and appalling to realise that some people suffer the way Peter did, and that the perpetrators usually get ...more
I'd never been bullied in school, or maybe I had been and I just never noticed. I was a straight A's student with no social life outside the classroom and whose idea of fun consisted of staying up all night reading a vampire fantasy. I suppose I felt proud of myself and so any criticism went by mostly unnoticed.
That's probably why it was so shocking and appalling to realise that some people suffer the way Peter did, and that the perpetrators usually get ...more

This was an incredible book! I was so engrossed in it and the ending..Oh my! I absolutely find this book devastating and fascinating. This is easily my new favorite Jodi Picoult book. It is sad and eye opening on the truth and expanse of bullying. Once again Picoult weaves in a story of more controversial topics and slays it.
My quick and simple overall: sad but it is incredibly interesting to read. Fantastic story that touches the reader.
My quick and simple overall: sad but it is incredibly interesting to read. Fantastic story that touches the reader.

I picked this up not reading the synopsis and thought it was a book about teen pregnancy. I have liked some of Jodi Picoult's books and felt weary about investing time in a 400+ book. As I started it it was startling to discover it is a book about a high school shooting. The story goes back and forth, sometimes I lost track of where I was but kept reading. The story centers around the mothers of the main characters and the kids involved.
Peter is an outsider, a loser, a nerd, a cast off picked o ...more
Peter is an outsider, a loser, a nerd, a cast off picked o ...more

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.

Exceptionally written novel that shows us what's in the mind of a fictional school shooter, what led him to commit the crime, and how his actions affect the lives of his family and friends. Picoult is a master at character development.
...more

Jul 20, 2019
enqi ☁️✨
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
2019,
standalones
the thing about jodi picoult is she always manages to write breathtaking, captivating novels that make you feel.
at the beginning of the book, you think you’ve got it all figured out. you know who the vic ...more
In nineteen minutes, you can mow the front lawn; color your hair; watch a third of a hockey game. In nineteen minutes, you can bake scones or get a tooth filled by a dentist; you can fold laundry for a family of five.
In nineteen minutes, you can stop the world; or you can just jump off it.
at the beginning of the book, you think you’ve got it all figured out. you know who the vic ...more

May 20, 2007
Wormie
rated it
liked it
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
someone desperate for anything to read
Nineteen Minutes is Jodi Picoult’s most recent novel, and I predict it will become her best seller to date. It focuses on the events leading up to and following a high school shooting.
Peter Houghton, picked on by school mates from the first day of kindergarten, enters Sterling High, and in nineteen minutes kills ten and wounds another nineteen students.
In typical fashion, Picoult shapes her story by providing various perspectives. We are able to put the story together from Peter’s perspective a ...more
Peter Houghton, picked on by school mates from the first day of kindergarten, enters Sterling High, and in nineteen minutes kills ten and wounds another nineteen students.
In typical fashion, Picoult shapes her story by providing various perspectives. We are able to put the story together from Peter’s perspective a ...more

This is an amazing story from one of my favorite authors.
The subject matter is really hard to deal with, especially if you have teenagers or have ever been ridiculed at school. She handles it superbly and puts us right into the action. Feeling the anguish, the anger and the hurt. Showing us how true it is that there is always two -or more -sides to every story. We are forced to grapple with what is just and right. How far our culture will go to be accepted and what a huge impact a teenagers soc ...more
The subject matter is really hard to deal with, especially if you have teenagers or have ever been ridiculed at school. She handles it superbly and puts us right into the action. Feeling the anguish, the anger and the hurt. Showing us how true it is that there is always two -or more -sides to every story. We are forced to grapple with what is just and right. How far our culture will go to be accepted and what a huge impact a teenagers soc ...more

“A mathematical formula for happiness:Reality divided by Expectations.There were two ways to be happy:improve your reality or lower your expectations.”
― Jodi Picoult, Nineteen Minutes
Most people know that 19 minutes Is about both a school shooting as well as the aftermath of how the small town Copes after the shooting.
I found this to be an extraordinarily well written book and I salute the writer for being bold enough to go into the mind of the shooter which really shocked me at the time I rea ...more
― Jodi Picoult, Nineteen Minutes
Most people know that 19 minutes Is about both a school shooting as well as the aftermath of how the small town Copes after the shooting.
I found this to be an extraordinarily well written book and I salute the writer for being bold enough to go into the mind of the shooter which really shocked me at the time I rea ...more

This was the first Jodi Picoult novel I've picked up, despite having her recommended by several of my friends for various novels. I have to admit the plot summary was intriguing enough to pique my interest.
I grew up in a world where school shootings hadn't happened yet. Columbine happened when I was a senior in high school, just a couple months short of graduation. I remember the shift in collective conciousness at the time, how that one terrible event affected us all. After all, it could've be ...more
I grew up in a world where school shootings hadn't happened yet. Columbine happened when I was a senior in high school, just a couple months short of graduation. I remember the shift in collective conciousness at the time, how that one terrible event affected us all. After all, it could've be ...more

I really feel this book well haunt me. It left a strong impression on my heart. I loved the writing style which gave me a window into all sides of the story from parents of the students, victims, lawyers, judge, shooter, shooter's parents and so on. Was a mystery that made me continue to figure out what all went down. I would recommend this to anyone, it opened my eyes. If my kids were older teens I'd like them to read this as well. Bullying is a huge problem and this was an extreme case. Kids n
...more

Apr 12, 2008
Celia
rated it
did not like it
Recommends it for:
People who love Jodi Picoult
Recommended to Celia by:
bookclub
Is there a shelf for a book I have to stop reading because I can't stand something about it? In this case, that the writer is a machine that swallows magazines whole and spews out a topic of the month.
...more
...more

Well, I've gone all over GR saying negative things about Jodi Picoult which leaves me blushing when I write I really, really liked Nineteen Minutes. I held out as long as I could while reading it-I admit, I am compelled to read books about school shootings, such as Columbine by Dave Cullen and We Need to Talk About Kevin by Lionel Shriver. And so, despite my repeatedly dissing Jodi Picoult, of course I had to read 19 Minutes. And I have a number of complaints: the "ripped from the headlines" hoo
...more

Sterling is an ordinary New Hampshire town where nothing ever happens--until the day its complacency is shattered by an act of violence. Josie Cormier, the daughter of the judge sitting on the case, should be the state's best witness, but she can't remember what happened before her very own eyes--or can she? As the trial progresses, fault lines between the high school and the adult community begin to show--destroying the closest of friendships and families.
Jodi Picoult has a talent for making y ...more
Jodi Picoult has a talent for making y ...more

I am almost done with this book-it is excellent but harrowing to read.
The author commits to the story line and the characters and even when you almost want her to back away from the messiness and the reality she hits you even harder.
********Slight spoilers below**************
This book explores a school shooting from the view point of the shooter, the victims, the parents of the victims, the small town, the detective, the judge handling the case, the lawyer prosecuting the case, the lawyer defend ...more
The author commits to the story line and the characters and even when you almost want her to back away from the messiness and the reality she hits you even harder.
********Slight spoilers below**************
This book explores a school shooting from the view point of the shooter, the victims, the parents of the victims, the small town, the detective, the judge handling the case, the lawyer prosecuting the case, the lawyer defend ...more
topics | posts | views | last activity | |
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Play Book Tag: [PBT Bingo] Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult - 4 Stars | 1 | 10 | Apr 11, 2020 01:03PM | |
What's the Name o...: SOLVED. Characters eat ice cream at Dairy Joy near Lincoln, MA. [s] | 6 | 20 | Jun 18, 2019 05:03PM | |
Peter's Death | 30 | 890 | Jan 25, 2019 05:02PM | |
Eagle Crest Book ...: Nineteen MInutes by Jodi Picoult | 1 | 4 | Dec 28, 2018 12:48PM | |
Wait why? | 45 | 870 | Mar 26, 2018 11:04AM |
Jodi Picoult is the author of twenty-six novels, including the #1 New York Times bestsellers Small Great Things, A Spark of Light, Leaving Time, The Storyteller, Lone Wolf, Between the Lines, Sing You Home, House Rules, Handle with Care, Change of Heart, Nineteen Minutes, and My Sister’s Keeper. She lives in New Hampshire with her husband and three children.
Her new novel, THE BOOK OF TWO WAYS, is ...more
Her new novel, THE BOOK OF TWO WAYS, is ...more
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