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Hollow Bones
Win a free print copy of this book!
10 days and 12:45:51
50 copies available
U.S. only
From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of By Any Other Name comes a riveting novel about the risks we take to protect the ones we love in a world where crisis is always just around the corner.
On September 11, 2001, when Molly Fitzgerald was only two months old, her mother went to an appointment at the World Trade Center and never came home. Her father and the stepmother who raised her couldn’t have loved her more, but she still grew up with a healthy dread of disasters.
Now an adult, she runs the Rhode Island Department for Emergency Preparedness, mapping out ways to save lives during storms, epidemics, and airplane crashes. She and her husband, Jesse—a police polygraph expert with his own history of crisis—have found a love that is a solace in a dangerous world. But then the unexpected upends their new marriage, leading them both to question everything they thought they knew.
Moving between past and present, Hollow Bones is an epic story of the lies we tell ourselves as we write the narratives of our lives, the plans we design to protect ourselves at the worst moments, and the ties that bind mothers and daughters.
On September 11, 2001, when Molly Fitzgerald was only two months old, her mother went to an appointment at the World Trade Center and never came home. Her father and the stepmother who raised her couldn’t have loved her more, but she still grew up with a healthy dread of disasters.
Now an adult, she runs the Rhode Island Department for Emergency Preparedness, mapping out ways to save lives during storms, epidemics, and airplane crashes. She and her husband, Jesse—a police polygraph expert with his own history of crisis—have found a love that is a solace in a dangerous world. But then the unexpected upends their new marriage, leading them both to question everything they thought they knew.
Moving between past and present, Hollow Bones is an epic story of the lies we tell ourselves as we write the narratives of our lives, the plans we design to protect ourselves at the worst moments, and the ties that bind mothers and daughters.
453 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 15, 2026
About the author
Jodi Picoult
106 books99.2k followersJodi Picoult is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of twenty-eight novels, including Wish You Were Here, Small Great Things, Leaving Time, and My Sister’s Keeper, and, with daughter Samantha van Leer, two young adult novels, Between the Lines and Off the Page. Picoult lives in New Hampshire.
MAD HONEY, her new novel co-authored with Jennifer Finney Boylan, is available in hardcover, ebook, and audio on October 4, 2022.
Website: http://www.jodipicoult.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jodipicoult
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jodipicoult
MAD HONEY, her new novel co-authored with Jennifer Finney Boylan, is available in hardcover, ebook, and audio on October 4, 2022.
Website: http://www.jodipicoult.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jodipicoult
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jodipicoult
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 3,039 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Some books stay with you long after you have finished reading them, and Hollow Bones by Jodi Picoult is definitely one of those books for me. It is an emotional and powerful story about love, family, motherhood, mental health, tragedy, and finding strength when life feels impossible. Jodi Picoult has an incredible way of taking real events and combining them with deeply personal stories, making you feel connected to the characters and the challenges they face.
The story begins in Rhode Island with a terrifying plane crash simulation. The plane comes onto the runway almost like a dragon roaring, with 168 passengers on board and people screaming as panic and fear take over. Jodi Picoult immediately places you in the middle of the disaster, following the firefighters as they fight to get the flames under control, rescue those on board, and deal with the devastating aftermath. The opening is intense and emotional and makes you feel the fear, bravery, and heartbreak surrounding this tragedy.
The story then takes you on a journey following Eloise, her marriage, and her life as a mother. After having a child while living with bipolar disorder, Eloise suffers from severe depression and begins to fear that she may have already tried to harm her daughter. Believing that leaving is the best thing for her family, she walks away from her husband and child because she thinks it is the safest choice. This part of the story really makes you think about mental health, the struggles people face, and the difficult decisions that can come from wanting to protect the people you love.
Twenty-five years later, Eloise hears that her daughter is having a baby and they reconnect. Eloise wants to save her daughter from going through the same experiences she faced and hopes to stop history from repeating itself. Their reunion explores forgiveness, love, regret, and whether relationships can be repaired after years of separation.
The book also includes the incredible true story of aerialist Philippe Petit, who famously walked between the Twin Towers without a safety net. I found this part of the story fascinating because it represents courage, balance, and taking a leap of faith even when the outcome is uncertain. Jodi Picoult also explores 9/11 and the horrific events surrounding it, as well as the devastating aftermath and how people continued to live with the memories and consequences for years afterwards.
One of the things I loved most about Hollow Bones is the amount of research Jodi Picoult puts into her writing. You can tell she does not just write a story; she wants readers to understand the background and learn something along the way. I loved the explanation behind the title and the idea of robins having hollow bones. Although hollow bones may sound fragile, they are actually what help birds fly and allow them to use their wings. This becomes a beautiful metaphor throughout the book because sometimes the things that make us feel vulnerable can also be the things that help us find our strength and rise above difficult situations.
The message behind this book is about survival, healing, and how people cope with the moments that change their lives forever. It explores how trauma can affect people, but also how love, forgiveness, and understanding can help people move forward. Jodi Picoult handles difficult subjects such as mental health, family relationships, and loss with compassion and sensitivity.
I have always loved Jodi Picoult’s books because she puts so much research, thought, and care into every story she writes. Her writing style is emotional, detailed, and full of empathy. She creates characters who feel real because they are not perfect — they struggle, they make mistakes, and they are trying to find their way through life.
Hollow Bones is a moving story about love, loss, courage, and resilience. It takes you on an emotional journey with Eloise and leaves you thinking about the choices people make and the reasons behind them. It is a story you really need to read to fully understand its impact, and I really enjoyed it.
Thank you to NetGalley, Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House, and the author Jodi Picoult for providing me with this book in exchange for my honest review.
Publishing Date: November 5th 2026
The story begins in Rhode Island with a terrifying plane crash simulation. The plane comes onto the runway almost like a dragon roaring, with 168 passengers on board and people screaming as panic and fear take over. Jodi Picoult immediately places you in the middle of the disaster, following the firefighters as they fight to get the flames under control, rescue those on board, and deal with the devastating aftermath. The opening is intense and emotional and makes you feel the fear, bravery, and heartbreak surrounding this tragedy.
The story then takes you on a journey following Eloise, her marriage, and her life as a mother. After having a child while living with bipolar disorder, Eloise suffers from severe depression and begins to fear that she may have already tried to harm her daughter. Believing that leaving is the best thing for her family, she walks away from her husband and child because she thinks it is the safest choice. This part of the story really makes you think about mental health, the struggles people face, and the difficult decisions that can come from wanting to protect the people you love.
Twenty-five years later, Eloise hears that her daughter is having a baby and they reconnect. Eloise wants to save her daughter from going through the same experiences she faced and hopes to stop history from repeating itself. Their reunion explores forgiveness, love, regret, and whether relationships can be repaired after years of separation.
The book also includes the incredible true story of aerialist Philippe Petit, who famously walked between the Twin Towers without a safety net. I found this part of the story fascinating because it represents courage, balance, and taking a leap of faith even when the outcome is uncertain. Jodi Picoult also explores 9/11 and the horrific events surrounding it, as well as the devastating aftermath and how people continued to live with the memories and consequences for years afterwards.
One of the things I loved most about Hollow Bones is the amount of research Jodi Picoult puts into her writing. You can tell she does not just write a story; she wants readers to understand the background and learn something along the way. I loved the explanation behind the title and the idea of robins having hollow bones. Although hollow bones may sound fragile, they are actually what help birds fly and allow them to use their wings. This becomes a beautiful metaphor throughout the book because sometimes the things that make us feel vulnerable can also be the things that help us find our strength and rise above difficult situations.
The message behind this book is about survival, healing, and how people cope with the moments that change their lives forever. It explores how trauma can affect people, but also how love, forgiveness, and understanding can help people move forward. Jodi Picoult handles difficult subjects such as mental health, family relationships, and loss with compassion and sensitivity.
I have always loved Jodi Picoult’s books because she puts so much research, thought, and care into every story she writes. Her writing style is emotional, detailed, and full of empathy. She creates characters who feel real because they are not perfect — they struggle, they make mistakes, and they are trying to find their way through life.
Hollow Bones is a moving story about love, loss, courage, and resilience. It takes you on an emotional journey with Eloise and leaves you thinking about the choices people make and the reasons behind them. It is a story you really need to read to fully understand its impact, and I really enjoyed it.
Thank you to NetGalley, Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House, and the author Jodi Picoult for providing me with this book in exchange for my honest review.
Publishing Date: November 5th 2026
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This has the characters from My Sister’s Keeper in it, so it seemed promising at first especially with the talk of 9/11. It very quickly went downhill.
I was bored to tears and it also became so political it was exhausting. Politics get thrown at us from every angle so I deeply do not enjoy them being heavily in fiction books regardless of if I agree or disagree with the opinions. Especially when it is to the point where there is almost no real plot, just political banter for many pages. In the same spots, there were multiple brand references within just a couple pages including tide and panera mentioning specific items and I was like is this a book or an ad? It all just felt jumbled and out of place as if she had people telling her what to put in her writing. Nowhere near the level of her writing of My Sister’s Keeper which was an amazing book. Got so bored, I started skimming. Eventually ended up as a DNF.
I HATE with a passion rating ARCs badly, because I know it can prevent getting future ARCs which is why I rarely ever request or accept ARCs anymore, but I have enjoyed this author in the past and thought I would love this. However, I can’t in good conscience give this a fake good review when I found it so boring personally.
Thank you to netgalley for this free advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
I was bored to tears and it also became so political it was exhausting. Politics get thrown at us from every angle so I deeply do not enjoy them being heavily in fiction books regardless of if I agree or disagree with the opinions. Especially when it is to the point where there is almost no real plot, just political banter for many pages. In the same spots, there were multiple brand references within just a couple pages including tide and panera mentioning specific items and I was like is this a book or an ad? It all just felt jumbled and out of place as if she had people telling her what to put in her writing. Nowhere near the level of her writing of My Sister’s Keeper which was an amazing book. Got so bored, I started skimming. Eventually ended up as a DNF.
I HATE with a passion rating ARCs badly, because I know it can prevent getting future ARCs which is why I rarely ever request or accept ARCs anymore, but I have enjoyed this author in the past and thought I would love this. However, I can’t in good conscience give this a fake good review when I found it so boring personally.
Thank you to netgalley for this free advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
May 14, 2026
While I have read and loved many a Jodi Picoult book, and the vast majority have stayed with me long after finishing them, this gut-wrenching tale about the complexities of motherhood, the bonds of family and its ability to make or break those in it, and the fight to make sense of the senseless, still haunts me months later. This book, with its huge twist and important author’s note, is timely and critical, and I hope it falls into the hands of those who may need it the most.
Unfortunately, this is the type of book that’s best when gone into blind, and therefore avoiding spoilers is key (hence my murky review here). But with characters that are multi-layered and incredibly complex, a nuanced storyline that weaves readers back and forth from the present, through to a time that feels both a lifetime away and as recent as yesterday, and exquisite care and attention paid to a few emotionally wrought themes, just trust that you are in the very best of hands.
Read if you like:
▪️complex characters
▪️family dramas
▪️stories about motherhood
▪️emotionally evocative writing
▪️books that will stay with you
Publishes: Sept 15, 2026
‼️CW: This book delves into what could be several very triggering issues for some. Please research or reach out if you are sensitive to them.
Check out my Bookstagram post here!
A huge thank you to Ballantine for the advanced copy!
Unfortunately, this is the type of book that’s best when gone into blind, and therefore avoiding spoilers is key (hence my murky review here). But with characters that are multi-layered and incredibly complex, a nuanced storyline that weaves readers back and forth from the present, through to a time that feels both a lifetime away and as recent as yesterday, and exquisite care and attention paid to a few emotionally wrought themes, just trust that you are in the very best of hands.
Read if you like:
▪️complex characters
▪️family dramas
▪️stories about motherhood
▪️emotionally evocative writing
▪️books that will stay with you
Publishes: Sept 15, 2026
‼️CW: This book delves into what could be several very triggering issues for some. Please research or reach out if you are sensitive to them.
Check out my Bookstagram post here!
A huge thank you to Ballantine for the advanced copy!
September 24, 2026
I am quite confused by Kirkus's starred review on this one (which was the main reason I picked it up after being underwhelmed by the last few Picoult books). It's a standard sappy ripped-from-the-headlines Lifetime movie of a novel.
For a moment, I did consider giving this one 3 stars for bringing attention to postpartum psychosis— a rare condition that causes mothers to experience powerful hallucinations and delusions shortly after giving birth. I have followed the Lindsay Clancy case in horror and read a few accounts of this particular illness and how the women heard voices telling them to kill their babies to "save" them. There does need to be more understanding and awareness of conditions like this. That said, Hollow Bones was a fairly lacklustre and often boring exploration of PPP.
We begin in the present where Molly is a leader in crisis management for the Rhode Island Department for Emergency Preparedness. On 9/11, she lost her own mother when she went to an appointment at the World Trade Center, so, despite having a loving stepmother, Molly has always felt a deep loss for the mother she never got to know. Then she finds out she is pregnant, and when complications arise it leads to a closer examination of the past.
I found the pacing uneven throughout. Occasional moments of melodrama— naturally, Picoult brings in rape, child physical and sexual abuse, filicide and suicidal ideation —would grab my attention for better or worse, but then there would be long stretches that were mind-numbingly boring ().
Picoult notes in the afterword that she began from the premise of wanting to write about 9/11 and built on from there, and I think this explains why so many things seem squeezed in to fit around that, whether they work or not. For example, Molly being in her senior job position at only twenty-five is explained away as her being a prodigy (because any older and the story wouldn't have worked). But in senior positions experience counts far more than school performance so I never quite bought it. And why she had to be in a senior position at all remains a mystery.
I won't spoil anything but I was actually super annoyed by the direction the author took towards the end of the book. I felt that one character was really unfairly treated, and I also hated that last piece of melodrama thrown in, paving the way for a schmaltzy ending.
For a moment, I did consider giving this one 3 stars for bringing attention to postpartum psychosis— a rare condition that causes mothers to experience powerful hallucinations and delusions shortly after giving birth. I have followed the Lindsay Clancy case in horror and read a few accounts of this particular illness and how the women heard voices telling them to kill their babies to "save" them. There does need to be more understanding and awareness of conditions like this. That said, Hollow Bones was a fairly lacklustre and often boring exploration of PPP.
We begin in the present where Molly is a leader in crisis management for the Rhode Island Department for Emergency Preparedness. On 9/11, she lost her own mother when she went to an appointment at the World Trade Center, so, despite having a loving stepmother, Molly has always felt a deep loss for the mother she never got to know. Then she finds out she is pregnant, and when complications arise it leads to a closer examination of the past.
I found the pacing uneven throughout. Occasional moments of melodrama— naturally, Picoult brings in rape, child physical and sexual abuse, filicide and suicidal ideation —would grab my attention for better or worse, but then there would be long stretches that were mind-numbingly boring ().
Picoult notes in the afterword that she began from the premise of wanting to write about 9/11 and built on from there, and I think this explains why so many things seem squeezed in to fit around that, whether they work or not. For example, Molly being in her senior job position at only twenty-five is explained away as her being a prodigy (because any older and the story wouldn't have worked). But in senior positions experience counts far more than school performance so I never quite bought it. And why she had to be in a senior position at all remains a mystery.
I won't spoil anything but I was actually super annoyed by the direction the author took towards the end of the book. I felt that one character was really unfairly treated, and I also hated that last piece of melodrama thrown in, paving the way for a schmaltzy ending.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Jodi Picoult really said, “Do you want emotional stability?” and then snatched it out of my hands by chapter three.
What an incredible surprise this book turned out to be for me. Not because I doubted Jodi Picoult for even a second—she has owned a permanent place on my “drop everything immediately and read” shelf for years—but because Hollow Bones hit me in ways I honestly didn’t expect. Deep, aching, emotional, complicated, quietly devastating ways. The kind of book that bruises your heart, kisses the bruise afterward, then casually leaves you staring at the ceiling at 2 a.m. questioning your entire emotional resilience.
And can we PLEASE talk about Jesse Fitzgerald?
Seeing the adult version of one of my favorite fictional characters from My Sister’s Keeper felt strangely emotional for me. Jesse is no longer the reckless little boy setting fires just to be noticed in the middle of his family’s tragedy. Now he’s forty, a firefighter following his father’s path, carrying scars life carved into him years ago. Watching how much he evolved absolutely got me. It felt like revisiting someone you once worried about deeply and discovering they somehow survived themselves. Honestly? That alone made this book special. There’s something so satisfying about seeing a character who once felt lost, angry, invisible, finally become someone grounded enough to protect other people for a living. Jodi could have easily used him as a nostalgic callback, but instead she gave him depth, maturity, pain, tenderness, and purpose.
And then there’s Molly Fitzgerald. What a beautifully written heroine. At twenty-five, she’s brilliant, cautious, compassionate, and still grieving her mother’s loss like it’s a missing organ she learned to function without but never stopped aching for. Her obsession with preparedness, disaster scenarios, and control makes complete emotional sense once you understand the shadow 9/11 cast over her entire life. I adored how layered she felt—strong but fragile, logical but emotionally overwhelmed underneath the surface. Jodi writes women with such painful humanity that sometimes I feel personally attacked.
Molly and Jesse together felt so authentic to me because both of them are carrying invisible damage while desperately trying to keep functioning, keep loving, keep surviving. Their marriage isn’t painted like some glossy perfect romance. It’s messy, vulnerable, complicated, exhausted by life and grief and fear. Which made me invest in them even more.
What I loved most about this story is how it balances massive emotional themes with intimate character moments. Trauma, motherhood, marriage, grief, identity, fear of losing people you love—it’s all here, tangled together in the messiest, most human way possible. Some scenes genuinely hurt to read because they felt too real, too raw, too recognizable. There were moments I had to stop reading for a second just to emotionally recover before diving back in. And yet I could not stop turning the pages.
Also, the structure of the story works beautifully. The shifting timelines and perspectives slowly peel away emotional truths piece by piece until suddenly you realize this book has quietly wrapped itself around your throat. The tension is not loud or flashy. It’s emotional. Psychological. The kind that builds in your chest chapter after chapter.
Jodi Picoult has always had this rare talent of dragging readers directly into emotional chaos, shaking them to their core, then somehow guiding them through the wreckage with tenderness. That’s exactly the kind of reading experience I crave. I want books that unsettle me, crack me open a little, make me uncomfortable, make me cry in public like a lunatic holding coffee and emotional damage simultaneously.
And honestly? Some themes in this book hit a little too close to home for me. The fear of loss, the weight women carry silently, the emotional isolation hidden beneath functioning adulthood—Jodi approaches these subjects with honesty sharp enough to cut. Reading her books sometimes feels like volunteering for heartbreak while fully knowing you’ll thank her afterward.
This might honestly become one of my favorite literary fiction reads of the year, and considering how many phenomenal early releases I’ve been lucky enough to read lately, that says a lot. Jodi Picoult once again reminded me why she remains one of the few authors capable of emotionally wrecking me while still making me grateful for the experience.
Special thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine | Ballantine Books for sharing one of my favorite authors' most anticipated works with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.
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What an incredible surprise this book turned out to be for me. Not because I doubted Jodi Picoult for even a second—she has owned a permanent place on my “drop everything immediately and read” shelf for years—but because Hollow Bones hit me in ways I honestly didn’t expect. Deep, aching, emotional, complicated, quietly devastating ways. The kind of book that bruises your heart, kisses the bruise afterward, then casually leaves you staring at the ceiling at 2 a.m. questioning your entire emotional resilience.
And can we PLEASE talk about Jesse Fitzgerald?
Seeing the adult version of one of my favorite fictional characters from My Sister’s Keeper felt strangely emotional for me. Jesse is no longer the reckless little boy setting fires just to be noticed in the middle of his family’s tragedy. Now he’s forty, a firefighter following his father’s path, carrying scars life carved into him years ago. Watching how much he evolved absolutely got me. It felt like revisiting someone you once worried about deeply and discovering they somehow survived themselves. Honestly? That alone made this book special. There’s something so satisfying about seeing a character who once felt lost, angry, invisible, finally become someone grounded enough to protect other people for a living. Jodi could have easily used him as a nostalgic callback, but instead she gave him depth, maturity, pain, tenderness, and purpose.
And then there’s Molly Fitzgerald. What a beautifully written heroine. At twenty-five, she’s brilliant, cautious, compassionate, and still grieving her mother’s loss like it’s a missing organ she learned to function without but never stopped aching for. Her obsession with preparedness, disaster scenarios, and control makes complete emotional sense once you understand the shadow 9/11 cast over her entire life. I adored how layered she felt—strong but fragile, logical but emotionally overwhelmed underneath the surface. Jodi writes women with such painful humanity that sometimes I feel personally attacked.
Molly and Jesse together felt so authentic to me because both of them are carrying invisible damage while desperately trying to keep functioning, keep loving, keep surviving. Their marriage isn’t painted like some glossy perfect romance. It’s messy, vulnerable, complicated, exhausted by life and grief and fear. Which made me invest in them even more.
What I loved most about this story is how it balances massive emotional themes with intimate character moments. Trauma, motherhood, marriage, grief, identity, fear of losing people you love—it’s all here, tangled together in the messiest, most human way possible. Some scenes genuinely hurt to read because they felt too real, too raw, too recognizable. There were moments I had to stop reading for a second just to emotionally recover before diving back in. And yet I could not stop turning the pages.
Also, the structure of the story works beautifully. The shifting timelines and perspectives slowly peel away emotional truths piece by piece until suddenly you realize this book has quietly wrapped itself around your throat. The tension is not loud or flashy. It’s emotional. Psychological. The kind that builds in your chest chapter after chapter.
Jodi Picoult has always had this rare talent of dragging readers directly into emotional chaos, shaking them to their core, then somehow guiding them through the wreckage with tenderness. That’s exactly the kind of reading experience I crave. I want books that unsettle me, crack me open a little, make me uncomfortable, make me cry in public like a lunatic holding coffee and emotional damage simultaneously.
And honestly? Some themes in this book hit a little too close to home for me. The fear of loss, the weight women carry silently, the emotional isolation hidden beneath functioning adulthood—Jodi approaches these subjects with honesty sharp enough to cut. Reading her books sometimes feels like volunteering for heartbreak while fully knowing you’ll thank her afterward.
This might honestly become one of my favorite literary fiction reads of the year, and considering how many phenomenal early releases I’ve been lucky enough to read lately, that says a lot. Jodi Picoult once again reminded me why she remains one of the few authors capable of emotionally wrecking me while still making me grateful for the experience.
Special thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine | Ballantine Books for sharing one of my favorite authors' most anticipated works with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.
medium blog
September 27, 2026
“Preparedness is the crystal ball of public health.”
I kid you not of how I began my reading journey with this book.
I had just started reading when I heard a loud plane engine through my bedroom window that sounded much too close for comfort. My husband, who has an app that tracks planes, checked it and discovered that a military training jet had made a forced water landing just northeast of Morro Bay – my home.
The pilot, had ejected from the fighter jet before it crashed into the ocean and was rescued by a Navy helicopter crew. He was transported to safety, and according to subsequent reports, was recovering nicely.
So, why mention this personal event within this review?
Because as this story begins, we meet Molly, who runs the Rhode Island Department for Emergency Preparedness. Within the first few pages, she is actively involved in a rescue effort following an apparent plane crash on an airport runway.
Needless to say, between the adrenaline rush of those opening pages, and the very real sounds coming from my bedroom window, I knew I was off to a rather serendipitous beginning!
“Hollow bones may sound fragile, but they’re part of what allows birds to fly.”
This is a complex, emotional, heart-felt, sexy, thoughtful and compelling story that shows human vulnerability and hidden strength, while being told through alternating voices, past flashbacks and future dates.
Typically, Picoult takes readers down a road involving a specific moral issue or question – one that leaves readers debating what we have just read. But this book feels like something more.
The story reaches deeper into its characters: into what they have lived through, what they believe, the decisions they have made because of those beliefs, and what happens when they are forced to reconcile those decisions with a truth they never expected.
Avid Picoult readers will recognize that one of the characters in this book was first featured in her 2004 novel, “My Sister’s Keeper.” Their character’s childhood experience becomes significant here. Having said that, this book can still be read as a stand-alone. Knowing the connection, however, gives readers an additional layer of understanding when certain characters feel familiar.
Molly’s husband is Jesse Fitzgerald, a detective with the Providence Police Department, and the city’s polygraphy expert.
This is not the place for me to tell you what happens. Just know that the character’s past traumas play an important role in their present, and I was mesmerized by their reactions and motivations, as the mystery slowly unraveled.
Speaking of which, this isn’t a traditional crime mystery. Instead, it centers on a disappearance – one that changes lives. For everyone.
This book is also quite contemporary, addressing, not so subtly, how the current United States administration handles disaster support to states. I didn’t necessarily read this as a political statement so much as a reality check about what has been happening across the country since Trump took office. Readers who are sensitive to contemporary political content may want to be aware of this element.
“I am the consummate diplomat and have become accustomed to playing along just to placate the hand that’s feeding us.”
With expert character development, and real-life issues that readers may relate to, Picoult makes readers consider how we would feel if placed in similar circumstances.
At times, the story felt overly dramatic, and some of the characters’ stubbornness became almost unrelenting.
Still, it challenges readers to think about what people will do to protect the ones they love.
It explores the tragedy of secrets and lies.
It asks whether deception can ever be worth the cost.
And, whether forgiveness is possible when the truth finally comes to light.
⚠️Please note: there are significant triggers that may affect some readers, including 9/11, child abuse, physical and sexual abuse, religious indoctrination, suicide, mental illness, bipolar disorder, and postpartum psychosis. Sharing these does not give away the plot, but it may help readers know what to expect.
I appreciated the delicacy and sensitivity with which Picoult handled these difficult subjects.
“…even a hero needs a soft place to land.”
And finally, please read the “Author’s Note.” Learning how a PostSecret postcard and a personal letter Picoult received inspired this story adds another meaningful layer.
“My Sister’s Keeper” Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
“My Secret: A PostSecret Book” Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I kid you not of how I began my reading journey with this book.
I had just started reading when I heard a loud plane engine through my bedroom window that sounded much too close for comfort. My husband, who has an app that tracks planes, checked it and discovered that a military training jet had made a forced water landing just northeast of Morro Bay – my home.
The pilot, had ejected from the fighter jet before it crashed into the ocean and was rescued by a Navy helicopter crew. He was transported to safety, and according to subsequent reports, was recovering nicely.
So, why mention this personal event within this review?
Because as this story begins, we meet Molly, who runs the Rhode Island Department for Emergency Preparedness. Within the first few pages, she is actively involved in a rescue effort following an apparent plane crash on an airport runway.
Needless to say, between the adrenaline rush of those opening pages, and the very real sounds coming from my bedroom window, I knew I was off to a rather serendipitous beginning!
“Hollow bones may sound fragile, but they’re part of what allows birds to fly.”
This is a complex, emotional, heart-felt, sexy, thoughtful and compelling story that shows human vulnerability and hidden strength, while being told through alternating voices, past flashbacks and future dates.
Typically, Picoult takes readers down a road involving a specific moral issue or question – one that leaves readers debating what we have just read. But this book feels like something more.
The story reaches deeper into its characters: into what they have lived through, what they believe, the decisions they have made because of those beliefs, and what happens when they are forced to reconcile those decisions with a truth they never expected.
Avid Picoult readers will recognize that one of the characters in this book was first featured in her 2004 novel, “My Sister’s Keeper.” Their character’s childhood experience becomes significant here. Having said that, this book can still be read as a stand-alone. Knowing the connection, however, gives readers an additional layer of understanding when certain characters feel familiar.
Molly’s husband is Jesse Fitzgerald, a detective with the Providence Police Department, and the city’s polygraphy expert.
This is not the place for me to tell you what happens. Just know that the character’s past traumas play an important role in their present, and I was mesmerized by their reactions and motivations, as the mystery slowly unraveled.
Speaking of which, this isn’t a traditional crime mystery. Instead, it centers on a disappearance – one that changes lives. For everyone.
This book is also quite contemporary, addressing, not so subtly, how the current United States administration handles disaster support to states. I didn’t necessarily read this as a political statement so much as a reality check about what has been happening across the country since Trump took office. Readers who are sensitive to contemporary political content may want to be aware of this element.
“I am the consummate diplomat and have become accustomed to playing along just to placate the hand that’s feeding us.”
With expert character development, and real-life issues that readers may relate to, Picoult makes readers consider how we would feel if placed in similar circumstances.
At times, the story felt overly dramatic, and some of the characters’ stubbornness became almost unrelenting.
Still, it challenges readers to think about what people will do to protect the ones they love.
It explores the tragedy of secrets and lies.
It asks whether deception can ever be worth the cost.
And, whether forgiveness is possible when the truth finally comes to light.
⚠️Please note: there are significant triggers that may affect some readers, including 9/11, child abuse, physical and sexual abuse, religious indoctrination, suicide, mental illness, bipolar disorder, and postpartum psychosis. Sharing these does not give away the plot, but it may help readers know what to expect.
I appreciated the delicacy and sensitivity with which Picoult handled these difficult subjects.
“…even a hero needs a soft place to land.”
And finally, please read the “Author’s Note.” Learning how a PostSecret postcard and a personal letter Picoult received inspired this story adds another meaningful layer.
“My Sister’s Keeper” Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
“My Secret: A PostSecret Book” Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
September 25, 2026
No notes. 🩷
Full review to come.
Full review to come.
February 24, 2026
Warning if you're going to read this book: There are nearly immediate full spoilers for My Sister's Keeper, so if you haven't read that book and plan to, definitely read it first. That said, it's not necessary to have read it first, but it does spoil the twist for that book.
This is a really intriguing story that kept me interested all the way through. I didn't particularly love the way things ended/wrapped up, but the overall book is a worthy read. I'd give it 3.5 stars because of the ending.
This author is hit or miss for me. Sometimes her books hit me just right, and other times I find her way too soapbox-y and preachy. This was decent, because she spends a balance of time on the various issues and caused me to think about things from different angles. There's a political/progressive bent here, so be aware of that going in. It didn't really bother me, but it will bother some people.
The focus of this novel is on 9/11 and its aftermath, but also on mother-daughter relationships, on postpartum psychosis, and on mental health in general. The book gives so much food for thought about the choices and decisions we make and how they effect those around us. And the far-reaching consequences of every decision--even those we think we're making in the best interest of those we love.
I was not the biggest fan of the ending events, because I feel as if the author pushed boundaries throughout the narrative, and then at the end she just backed away and took the easy way out, villainizing someone that I thought did not deserve it.
Overall, this is an intriguing book that will certainly get people talking and discussing their views.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
This is a really intriguing story that kept me interested all the way through. I didn't particularly love the way things ended/wrapped up, but the overall book is a worthy read. I'd give it 3.5 stars because of the ending.
This author is hit or miss for me. Sometimes her books hit me just right, and other times I find her way too soapbox-y and preachy. This was decent, because she spends a balance of time on the various issues and caused me to think about things from different angles. There's a political/progressive bent here, so be aware of that going in. It didn't really bother me, but it will bother some people.
The focus of this novel is on 9/11 and its aftermath, but also on mother-daughter relationships, on postpartum psychosis, and on mental health in general. The book gives so much food for thought about the choices and decisions we make and how they effect those around us. And the far-reaching consequences of every decision--even those we think we're making in the best interest of those we love.
I was not the biggest fan of the ending events, because I feel as if the author pushed boundaries throughout the narrative, and then at the end she just backed away and took the easy way out, villainizing someone that I thought did not deserve it.
Overall, this is an intriguing book that will certainly get people talking and discussing their views.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Oh my heart❤️🩹
I went into this book blind, and I’m so grateful I did. It was written by one of my favorite authors, and that’s all I needed to know.
But I’ll give you just a hint:
This book was based on just a few, but very timely events. One being the 25th anniversary of 9/11. I now notice that the other isn’t mentioned in the blurb, so I won’t do it either. Just trust that Jodi will handle the topics with the utmost respect, research, and knowledge.
Jodi Picoult is such a truly gifted storyteller. Nothing is surface level. Every topic she picks is thoroughly researched, and she goes all in. You will lose yourself within the words, never coming up for air until the acknowledgment.
The book is aptly named Hollow Bones. But the way I’m feeling now, having just finished, is hollowed out. Staring blankly off into space, trying to put the pieces of ME back together.
One of my Instagram friends recently asked when I last cried reading a book. My answer was that I’ve occasionally misted up, maybe shedding a tear or two, but I couldn’t remember the last time I actually sobbed, until now. This book touched me so deeply and profoundly. Out of nowhere, the tears came until my cheeks were soaked and I could no longer read through the tears. So let me change my answer Gigi…this book, right now. I cried, I sobbed.
Straight to my favorites shelf.
✍️ Jodi Picoult
📄 464 pages
🗓️ Anticipated release date: September 15 2026
📈 5/5🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
👉 Contemporary fiction
Thank you NetGalley and Ballantine Books
I went into this book blind, and I’m so grateful I did. It was written by one of my favorite authors, and that’s all I needed to know.
But I’ll give you just a hint:
This book was based on just a few, but very timely events. One being the 25th anniversary of 9/11. I now notice that the other isn’t mentioned in the blurb, so I won’t do it either. Just trust that Jodi will handle the topics with the utmost respect, research, and knowledge.
Jodi Picoult is such a truly gifted storyteller. Nothing is surface level. Every topic she picks is thoroughly researched, and she goes all in. You will lose yourself within the words, never coming up for air until the acknowledgment.
The book is aptly named Hollow Bones. But the way I’m feeling now, having just finished, is hollowed out. Staring blankly off into space, trying to put the pieces of ME back together.
One of my Instagram friends recently asked when I last cried reading a book. My answer was that I’ve occasionally misted up, maybe shedding a tear or two, but I couldn’t remember the last time I actually sobbed, until now. This book touched me so deeply and profoundly. Out of nowhere, the tears came until my cheeks were soaked and I could no longer read through the tears. So let me change my answer Gigi…this book, right now. I cried, I sobbed.
Straight to my favorites shelf.
✍️ Jodi Picoult
📄 464 pages
🗓️ Anticipated release date: September 15 2026
📈 5/5🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
👉 Contemporary fiction
Thank you NetGalley and Ballantine Books
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
At the beginning of Hollow Bones I was wondering what I got myself into. A soppy love story? Because that’s about what it was for the first 25% of the book. But then it gets serious. Like major serious.
Molly runs the Dept of Emergency Preparedness in Rhode Island. Her husband, Jesse, is a polygrapher for the Providence Police. Both have lost family members under tragic circumstances. (In a weird twist, Jesse’s sisters were the two in My Sister’s Keeper.) Life and marriage is going well until life gets upended.
The story moves between the present and the past, with the past storyline focused on Molly’s mother.
This is not an easy read. Of course, Picoult’s books rarely are, always dealing with some issue. In this case, it’s mental health issues. I won’t say any more for fear of spoilers. But be aware there are quite a few trigger warning topics here. In fact, Picoult crams a lot of issues into this book, maybe one too many. By the end of the book, it felt like a kitchen sink soup with everything thrown in. You know how Law and Order always has that “ripped from the headlines” feel to it. That’s how this felt. And the twists felt manufactured.
On the positive side, the characters are well developed and I cared for each of them. I could feel their concerns, their anguish and their desires.
I actually was more invested in the Author’s Note and what led Picoult to write this book and the hard truths she uncovered in her research.
My thanks to Netgalley and Ballantine Books for an advance copy of this book.
Molly runs the Dept of Emergency Preparedness in Rhode Island. Her husband, Jesse, is a polygrapher for the Providence Police. Both have lost family members under tragic circumstances. (In a weird twist, Jesse’s sisters were the two in My Sister’s Keeper.) Life and marriage is going well until life gets upended.
The story moves between the present and the past, with the past storyline focused on Molly’s mother.
This is not an easy read. Of course, Picoult’s books rarely are, always dealing with some issue. In this case, it’s mental health issues. I won’t say any more for fear of spoilers. But be aware there are quite a few trigger warning topics here. In fact, Picoult crams a lot of issues into this book, maybe one too many. By the end of the book, it felt like a kitchen sink soup with everything thrown in. You know how Law and Order always has that “ripped from the headlines” feel to it. That’s how this felt. And the twists felt manufactured.
On the positive side, the characters are well developed and I cared for each of them. I could feel their concerns, their anguish and their desires.
I actually was more invested in the Author’s Note and what led Picoult to write this book and the hard truths she uncovered in her research.
My thanks to Netgalley and Ballantine Books for an advance copy of this book.
March 15, 2026
Jodi Picoult is the reigning queen of the morally ambiguous novels and her upcoming release, Hollow Bones releasing on 9.22.26, proves she hasn’t lost her touch. Whether she’s tackling school shootings, white supremacy, or long COVID symptoms, Picoult excels at taking a polarizing headline and turning it into a visceral human experience.
TRIGGER WARNING: Child abuse is featured, if you're not comfortable with this, I would steer clear.
On the surface, Hollow Bones centers on the terrifying reality of postpartum psychosis. It is a condition that is notoriously difficult to diagnose and can lead to devastating outcomes, including hallucinations and infanticide (drawing inevitable parallels to the tragic real-life case of Andrea Yates).
The story follows Molly Fitzgerald, the Director of Emergency Preparedness in Rhode Island. Having lost her mother in the 9/11 attacks when she was only two months old, Molly has spent her entire life bracing for the next catastrophe. Her career, and her life with her husband, Jesse, is defined by a constant state of "readiness" that clashes with the unpredictable nature of new motherhood.
For long-time fans, there is a major easter egg, as Picoult repurposes main characters from her 2004 hit My Sister's Keeper.
Do you need to read it first? No, as Hollow Bones provides enough context to catch you up.
Should you read it first? If you ever plan to, then yes, read it first, as Hollow Bones contains massive spoilers for the ending of My Sister’s Keeper.
The narrative structure jumps through time, mirroring Molly’s internal flux as she balances a demanding job with the trauma of her past. Picoult also weaves in sharp social commentary, touching on the gutting of government medical research for political gain, the enduring legacy of national tragedies, and the complex definitions of family.
Final Thoughts: I found this nearly impossible to put down. While I wasn't entirely sold on how one specific character’s arc wrapped up, it is a gripping, edge-of-your-seat read that feels classic Picoult. Go in blind to avoid spoilers, it's better that way.
Thank you Ballantine and NetGalley for the ARC!
TRIGGER WARNING: Child abuse is featured, if you're not comfortable with this, I would steer clear.
On the surface, Hollow Bones centers on the terrifying reality of postpartum psychosis. It is a condition that is notoriously difficult to diagnose and can lead to devastating outcomes, including hallucinations and infanticide (drawing inevitable parallels to the tragic real-life case of Andrea Yates).
The story follows Molly Fitzgerald, the Director of Emergency Preparedness in Rhode Island. Having lost her mother in the 9/11 attacks when she was only two months old, Molly has spent her entire life bracing for the next catastrophe. Her career, and her life with her husband, Jesse, is defined by a constant state of "readiness" that clashes with the unpredictable nature of new motherhood.
For long-time fans, there is a major easter egg, as Picoult repurposes main characters from her 2004 hit My Sister's Keeper.
Do you need to read it first? No, as Hollow Bones provides enough context to catch you up.
Should you read it first? If you ever plan to, then yes, read it first, as Hollow Bones contains massive spoilers for the ending of My Sister’s Keeper.
The narrative structure jumps through time, mirroring Molly’s internal flux as she balances a demanding job with the trauma of her past. Picoult also weaves in sharp social commentary, touching on the gutting of government medical research for political gain, the enduring legacy of national tragedies, and the complex definitions of family.
Final Thoughts: I found this nearly impossible to put down. While I wasn't entirely sold on how one specific character’s arc wrapped up, it is a gripping, edge-of-your-seat read that feels classic Picoult. Go in blind to avoid spoilers, it's better that way.
Thank you Ballantine and NetGalley for the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4.5 stars, rounded all the way up, as I'm still thinking about this one days after finishing it. Jodi's always been a "hit or miss" author for me, mostly depending on my feelings about the social or political issues at the heart of her books. In "Hollow Bones" we get a deep dive into the 9/1 terrorist attacks set 25 years later and I was glad I chose to read this one over that anniversary, some very good info that I didn't know or remember was included. There's another big and timely topic included as well, but as it's not in the blurb, I won't go there. Also there's a call-back to an earlier book of hers which would have meant something if I'd read it, but hadn't, but it's not necessary. I likely could discuss various frustrations with all the characters but I still found them all well-written and worth caring about, especially the two MC's - Molly & Eloise. Very highly recommend to those that enjoy contemporary women's fiction at its finest, but know your triggers going in.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
9/11 holds a big place in my heart. I'm always drawn to stories of 9/11 as its an event that I experienced and will never forget. And this is a story of a woman whose entire identity has been shaped by the very same catastrophe before she was old enough to remember it. Picoult is one of my favorite writers and wrote a memorable piece.
Full review to follow!
Many thanks to NetGalley, Ballentine Books and the author, Jodi Picoult for the ARC.
Publication: September 15, 2026
Full review to follow!
Many thanks to NetGalley, Ballentine Books and the author, Jodi Picoult for the ARC.
Publication: September 15, 2026
September 25, 2026
my review : ✮✮✮✮
What a gripping, well-told story. I feel like for a book to pack this much of an emotional punch, it has to be a tome, but this managed to do it in 300ish pages!
This story follows two Iranian women who form an instant friendship as young girls that deepens over time as the country experiences great political unrest and monumental change.
I am embarrassed by how little I know about Iran, and I learned so much about the lion women who fight to this day for rights and freedoms. The book is eye-opening and alternates between being completely heartbreaking and hopeful.
If I were to host a bookclub for this book, I would want to make chickpea cookies because I was interested in them the minute they were mentioned! Our drink, of course, would be Canada Dry (IYKYK). This book is a few years old, so I am sure many of you have read it. If so, what did you think?
What a gripping, well-told story. I feel like for a book to pack this much of an emotional punch, it has to be a tome, but this managed to do it in 300ish pages!
This story follows two Iranian women who form an instant friendship as young girls that deepens over time as the country experiences great political unrest and monumental change.
I am embarrassed by how little I know about Iran, and I learned so much about the lion women who fight to this day for rights and freedoms. The book is eye-opening and alternates between being completely heartbreaking and hopeful.
If I were to host a bookclub for this book, I would want to make chickpea cookies because I was interested in them the minute they were mentioned! Our drink, of course, would be Canada Dry (IYKYK). This book is a few years old, so I am sure many of you have read it. If so, what did you think?
March 2, 2026
Jodi could write a grocery list and I'd read it. 😮💨
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Avoiding any summaries or spoilers was a must for me before beginning this one because I didn't want to see any of the twists coming, but I could've made a more informed decision about how much I would've enjoyed it had I checked for trigger warnings first. I'm not easily triggered, but this has some disturbing content that would've given me pause. I'm glad I read this but doubt I would ever reread it because of heavy subject matter and distressing scenes. However, I finished this over a week ago and have searched for the best most honest way to review. The words have proven hard to find.
Brilliant title. Evocative. Compelling.
From the first page it was easy as breathing to be drawn into this world which is a testament to Picoult's talent because this is an intense emotional read that hurts to explore.
Molly Fitzgerald lost her mother to the September 11th attacks at two months old. This fact shapes everything about the character from her occupation running the Rhode Island Department for Emergency Awareness to her social interactions. Her stepmother and father gave her a beautiful life but the past echoes. Molly's husband Jesse is a polygraph expert with his own history of difficulties. I loved how natural their relationship felt. When a revelation changes everything the pair thought they knew, the past and present collide illuminating an unexpected path.
We tell ourselves the story of our lives, but what happens when the foundation is shaken and the threads become fluid. The pair may be obsessed with safety (for good reason) but no one can prepare for everything.
Complex themes and imagery are explored at length and from many angles creating conflicting emotions.
The last page found me different than the first.
Thank you to Ballantine for providing an ARC via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Brilliant title. Evocative. Compelling.
From the first page it was easy as breathing to be drawn into this world which is a testament to Picoult's talent because this is an intense emotional read that hurts to explore.
Molly Fitzgerald lost her mother to the September 11th attacks at two months old. This fact shapes everything about the character from her occupation running the Rhode Island Department for Emergency Awareness to her social interactions. Her stepmother and father gave her a beautiful life but the past echoes. Molly's husband Jesse is a polygraph expert with his own history of difficulties. I loved how natural their relationship felt. When a revelation changes everything the pair thought they knew, the past and present collide illuminating an unexpected path.
We tell ourselves the story of our lives, but what happens when the foundation is shaken and the threads become fluid. The pair may be obsessed with safety (for good reason) but no one can prepare for everything.
Complex themes and imagery are explored at length and from many angles creating conflicting emotions.
The last page found me different than the first.
Thank you to Ballantine for providing an ARC via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A huge thank you to NetGallery and Ballantine Books for the advanced copy!
Bringing forth another morally ambiguous novel is Jodi Picoult with her new release: Hollow Bones. On 9/11, Molly Fitzgerald was only two months old, but her life was irrevocably changed when her mother went to the World Trade Center and never came home.
Though her father and step-mother raised her with all the love they could, she still grew up to become paranoid about disasters. So, now twenty-five, she runs the Rhode Island Department for Emergency Preparedness, mapping out ways to save lives during storms, epidemics, and airplane crashes. Molly is married to Jesse—an older police polygraph expert from her 2004 novel My Sister's Keeper, though the novel still acts as a standalone.
In classic Picoult fashion, the narrative unfolds between past and present, also alternating perspectives. It starts detailing Molly's present career, then gives a twist and flashes back to share her mother, Eloise's, story leading up to 9/11. We follow her journey as a mother, and here is where we get to the deepest theme of the story: the terrifying reality of postpartum psychosis. I appreciate the length of detail applied to discussing this topic, sharing glimpses of the trials of Lindsay Clancy and Andrea Yates. The author's note proved how engaged Picoult was in best trying to depict this, showing how mothers kill their children with extreme hormonal shifts after giving birth.
This novel kept me on my toes. Though it was so character driven, I was pulled in by every element of the plot. We get a few twists, ones that really made me think. All of the characters are so layered and driven, making for an addictive read. Usually, I shy away from books that seem over the top of trying to depict moral dilemmas; Jodi Picoult can be a hit or miss for me. But this one knocked it out of the park.
Bringing forth another morally ambiguous novel is Jodi Picoult with her new release: Hollow Bones. On 9/11, Molly Fitzgerald was only two months old, but her life was irrevocably changed when her mother went to the World Trade Center and never came home.
Though her father and step-mother raised her with all the love they could, she still grew up to become paranoid about disasters. So, now twenty-five, she runs the Rhode Island Department for Emergency Preparedness, mapping out ways to save lives during storms, epidemics, and airplane crashes. Molly is married to Jesse—an older police polygraph expert from her 2004 novel My Sister's Keeper, though the novel still acts as a standalone.
In classic Picoult fashion, the narrative unfolds between past and present, also alternating perspectives. It starts detailing Molly's present career, then gives a twist and flashes back to share her mother, Eloise's, story leading up to 9/11. We follow her journey as a mother, and here is where we get to the deepest theme of the story: the terrifying reality of postpartum psychosis. I appreciate the length of detail applied to discussing this topic, sharing glimpses of the trials of Lindsay Clancy and Andrea Yates. The author's note proved how engaged Picoult was in best trying to depict this, showing how mothers kill their children with extreme hormonal shifts after giving birth.
This novel kept me on my toes. Though it was so character driven, I was pulled in by every element of the plot. We get a few twists, ones that really made me think. All of the characters are so layered and driven, making for an addictive read. Usually, I shy away from books that seem over the top of trying to depict moral dilemmas; Jodi Picoult can be a hit or miss for me. But this one knocked it out of the park.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Jodi Picoult has this gift, this magic - she keeps you turning page after page, telling yourself "just one more chapter", until suddenly it's the middle of the night.
I recently read Mad Honey and Nineteen Minutes, which were both very good, but Hollow Bones almost feels like an entirely different level. It may very well replace My Sister’s Keeper as my favourite Picoult novel (though, to be fair, it’s probably time to re-read that one). It was so nice to discover how this book connects back to My Sister’s Keeper; so nice to find out what happened with that family after all these years.
What I especially appreciate in Jodi Picoult’s writing is how honest she is. Author voice, opinions and beliefs matter. No matter how much we might want to escape reality through reading, reality is still there, outside the window. Hollow Bones brings some real-time commentary on today’s American reality.
Jodi Picoult and her books are engaged, socially and politically, and for me that’s a massive plus. It wouldn’t surprise me at all if this book becomes the next one banned in certain places.
For me, pacing is perfect. The book starts quite light, but as the story unfolds, it darkens significantly.
Also, the dual perspective works here very well. I can’t imagine a story that needed to be told from both points of view more than this one. Because of that, we can see and understand a full picture.
The claustrophobic, horrifying world seen through the eyes of someone experiencing postpartum/postnatal psychosis feels terrifying. How many women were never educated or warned about postpartum psychosis? I didn’t. I’m afraid most of us didn’t. It appears to me that we still have some remains of “medical misogyny”. If postnatal psychosis were an experience men went through, it would be very likely more researched, recognised and treated. Unfortunately, this critical medical condition can still be brushed aside as an “overreacting hormonal woman”, which will disappear by itself.
Jodi Picoult was inspired by the real history of a real person. Reminder: it is so easy for us to judge people from the outside, but we don’t know the monsters they are fighting inside their own minds.
I was fortunate to receive an ARC from the publisher, but this book touched me so deeply that I will definitely be buying my own physical copy for my shelves.
Great storytelling.
An intense, thought-provoking, impossible-to-put-down book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
I recently read Mad Honey and Nineteen Minutes, which were both very good, but Hollow Bones almost feels like an entirely different level. It may very well replace My Sister’s Keeper as my favourite Picoult novel (though, to be fair, it’s probably time to re-read that one). It was so nice to discover how this book connects back to My Sister’s Keeper; so nice to find out what happened with that family after all these years.
What I especially appreciate in Jodi Picoult’s writing is how honest she is. Author voice, opinions and beliefs matter. No matter how much we might want to escape reality through reading, reality is still there, outside the window. Hollow Bones brings some real-time commentary on today’s American reality.
Jodi Picoult and her books are engaged, socially and politically, and for me that’s a massive plus. It wouldn’t surprise me at all if this book becomes the next one banned in certain places.
For me, pacing is perfect. The book starts quite light, but as the story unfolds, it darkens significantly.
Also, the dual perspective works here very well. I can’t imagine a story that needed to be told from both points of view more than this one. Because of that, we can see and understand a full picture.
The claustrophobic, horrifying world seen through the eyes of someone experiencing postpartum/postnatal psychosis feels terrifying. How many women were never educated or warned about postpartum psychosis? I didn’t. I’m afraid most of us didn’t. It appears to me that we still have some remains of “medical misogyny”. If postnatal psychosis were an experience men went through, it would be very likely more researched, recognised and treated. Unfortunately, this critical medical condition can still be brushed aside as an “overreacting hormonal woman”, which will disappear by itself.
Jodi Picoult was inspired by the real history of a real person. Reminder: it is so easy for us to judge people from the outside, but we don’t know the monsters they are fighting inside their own minds.
I was fortunate to receive an ARC from the publisher, but this book touched me so deeply that I will definitely be buying my own physical copy for my shelves.
Great storytelling.
An intense, thought-provoking, impossible-to-put-down book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
March 6, 2026
if you’ve been following me a while, you know that @jodipicoult is forever my favorite author. Whenever I get my hands on her books, it’s page down on whatever else I am reading, no matter how far away publication is.
Coming in September, #HollowBones is my favorite Picoult since #SmallGreatThings - the story is centered around Molly, who’s mother was lost on September 11 - but in typical JP fashion, there’s so much more to the story. If you haven’t read #MySistersKeeper , this book brings you back to that story and will spoil you so I highly suggest reading it first if you plan to ever read it (and it’s an all time favorite of mine)!
It was amazing to return to the world of My Sister’s Keeper and revisit the characters and see how their worlds have changed since that epic conclusion.
This book was an easy 5 star for me (I’d give it 6 if I could!) and you will definitely want to get your hands on it come September!
Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine for an advanced copy. All opinions are my own.
Coming in September, #HollowBones is my favorite Picoult since #SmallGreatThings - the story is centered around Molly, who’s mother was lost on September 11 - but in typical JP fashion, there’s so much more to the story. If you haven’t read #MySistersKeeper , this book brings you back to that story and will spoil you so I highly suggest reading it first if you plan to ever read it (and it’s an all time favorite of mine)!
It was amazing to return to the world of My Sister’s Keeper and revisit the characters and see how their worlds have changed since that epic conclusion.
This book was an easy 5 star for me (I’d give it 6 if I could!) and you will definitely want to get your hands on it come September!
Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine for an advanced copy. All opinions are my own.
April 4, 2026
Clearly part of the minority here but between the slow pace and how difficult some parts were to read, this one wasn’t for me. The pandemic references also made it difficult for me to stay engaged. Truly no need for this novel to be over 450 pages.
September 25, 2026
At the lake and just finished this gem 💎 of a book.
I went into this book blind, only knowing there were triggers and there definitely are. Be warned.
The stories is generational but includes 9/11 and where were you that day, and for most of us we were comfortably at our homes or work. Not in the thick of things. A decision was made on this day for Eloise . A fork in the road, and that decision changed the course of a family for their lifetime.
I am really not going to delve deeper into the plot because it is best left to read; one page at a time. Family and psychological trauma, emergency preparedness, and mental illness. Things always rise to the surface and never stay hidden forever.
I can honestly say I am not a Picoult fan, but this was a grand slam of a book. Very important and timely.
Ironically, my childhood best friend is at the lake (her cabin) and is reading, Mad Honey, by Picoult. I had no idea we were both reading the same author. 👯 She finished her book last night and gave it 5 stars as well. Another one I am adding to my TBR.
This could be a contender for book of the year for me.
I went into this book blind, only knowing there were triggers and there definitely are. Be warned.
The stories is generational but includes 9/11 and where were you that day, and for most of us we were comfortably at our homes or work. Not in the thick of things. A decision was made on this day for Eloise . A fork in the road, and that decision changed the course of a family for their lifetime.
I am really not going to delve deeper into the plot because it is best left to read; one page at a time. Family and psychological trauma, emergency preparedness, and mental illness. Things always rise to the surface and never stay hidden forever.
I can honestly say I am not a Picoult fan, but this was a grand slam of a book. Very important and timely.
Ironically, my childhood best friend is at the lake (her cabin) and is reading, Mad Honey, by Picoult. I had no idea we were both reading the same author. 👯 She finished her book last night and gave it 5 stars as well. Another one I am adding to my TBR.
This could be a contender for book of the year for me.
Read
August 28, 2026This felt like classic Jodi Picoult to me!
📖 Molly Fitzgerald lost her mom on 9/11 when she was only an infant. Now, 25 years later, she runs the Rhode Island Department for Emergency Preparedness. Growing up in the shadow of such an unimaginable loss, Molly has dedicated her life to being prepared in the face of catastrophe. She is married to Jesse, a police polygraph expert, who also knows tragedy all too well.
👏🏼 What I love most about Jodi Picoult's books is the way she makes me think about situations from every angle and perspective. Her stories tend to be morally ambiguous, and just when you think you know how you feel about something, she flips it on its head. This book is no different.
It is a story about family secrets and survival, but also about deep devotion and what we are willing to do to protect the people we love most. It spans decades and two generations, with multiple POVs that add to the story's intensity and complexity. It's a powerful and important story that asks some incredibly difficult questions, and I know I'll be thinking about it for a long time 🥺
Overall, I loved the story and its different layers, but I did have a few small issues. The story is a slow burn, with a lot of big revelations packed into the end, and I almost wish some of those moments had been spread out a little more throughout the book. I think if she had condensed down the mentions of COVID and the pandemic, especially in the beginning, it would have helped since I do not think that added to the story. I also thought one of the conflicts at the end (being vague here to avoid spoilers!) felt unnecessary and a little too convenient.
💙 All of that to say, this is a very heavy story. I think Picoult handled the subject matter with an incredible amount of care and research, but please know that it will probably be a difficult read for many people.
**I feel like it is also worth mentioning that this does take place in the world of MY SISTER'S KEEPER. While you do not need to read MY SISTER'S KEEPER to understand this story, the ending is spoiled and discussed at length**
Thank you PRH Audio for the free audiobook 🫶🏼
📖 Molly Fitzgerald lost her mom on 9/11 when she was only an infant. Now, 25 years later, she runs the Rhode Island Department for Emergency Preparedness. Growing up in the shadow of such an unimaginable loss, Molly has dedicated her life to being prepared in the face of catastrophe. She is married to Jesse, a police polygraph expert, who also knows tragedy all too well.
👏🏼 What I love most about Jodi Picoult's books is the way she makes me think about situations from every angle and perspective. Her stories tend to be morally ambiguous, and just when you think you know how you feel about something, she flips it on its head. This book is no different.
It is a story about family secrets and survival, but also about deep devotion and what we are willing to do to protect the people we love most. It spans decades and two generations, with multiple POVs that add to the story's intensity and complexity. It's a powerful and important story that asks some incredibly difficult questions, and I know I'll be thinking about it for a long time 🥺
Overall, I loved the story and its different layers, but I did have a few small issues. The story is a slow burn, with a lot of big revelations packed into the end, and I almost wish some of those moments had been spread out a little more throughout the book. I think if she had condensed down the mentions of COVID and the pandemic, especially in the beginning, it would have helped since I do not think that added to the story. I also thought one of the conflicts at the end (being vague here to avoid spoilers!) felt unnecessary and a little too convenient.
💙 All of that to say, this is a very heavy story. I think Picoult handled the subject matter with an incredible amount of care and research, but please know that it will probably be a difficult read for many people.
**I feel like it is also worth mentioning that this does take place in the world of MY SISTER'S KEEPER. While you do not need to read MY SISTER'S KEEPER to understand this story, the ending is spoiled and discussed at length**
Thank you PRH Audio for the free audiobook 🫶🏼
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
"From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of By Any Other Name comes a riveting novel about the risks we take to protect the ones we love in a world where crisis is always just around the corner."
Molly Fitzgerald was two months old when she lost her mother on September 11th, 2001. Although she grew up with a loving dad and stepmom, she had an aversion to disaster and currently runs the Rhode Island Department for Emergency Preparedness in order to save lives. Married to Jesse, a detective, the unexpected happens and threatens to upend their lives.
Jodi Picoult is a masterful storyteller and Hollow Bones is no exception! Told in the past and present day, we learn much more about Molly's family. The bond between mothers and daughters is explored as well as bringing to light the issue of postpartum psychosis and its impact on society. Finally, the novel is a beautiful way to commemorate the twenty-fifth anniversary of September 11th, 2001. This is a must-read on multiple levels. Never forget.🇺🇸
The audiobook performance by Rebecca Soler, Macleod Andrews, and Julia Whelan (15 hours 40 minutes) is perfection pulling me even further into this world. Reading the physical copy in tandem with listening created an elevated reading experience.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Ballantine Books, PRH Audio and Jodi Picoult for the gifted advance reader's copy, advance listening copy and PR box. All opinions are my own. 📚🎧
Molly Fitzgerald was two months old when she lost her mother on September 11th, 2001. Although she grew up with a loving dad and stepmom, she had an aversion to disaster and currently runs the Rhode Island Department for Emergency Preparedness in order to save lives. Married to Jesse, a detective, the unexpected happens and threatens to upend their lives.
Jodi Picoult is a masterful storyteller and Hollow Bones is no exception! Told in the past and present day, we learn much more about Molly's family. The bond between mothers and daughters is explored as well as bringing to light the issue of postpartum psychosis and its impact on society. Finally, the novel is a beautiful way to commemorate the twenty-fifth anniversary of September 11th, 2001. This is a must-read on multiple levels. Never forget.🇺🇸
The audiobook performance by Rebecca Soler, Macleod Andrews, and Julia Whelan (15 hours 40 minutes) is perfection pulling me even further into this world. Reading the physical copy in tandem with listening created an elevated reading experience.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Ballantine Books, PRH Audio and Jodi Picoult for the gifted advance reader's copy, advance listening copy and PR box. All opinions are my own. 📚🎧
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
From gender erasure, systemic racism, LGBTQ+ rights, women’s equality, and so much more, Jodi Picoult once again brilliantly advocates for social change.
Hollow Bones is one of those books that’s difficult to write about without spoiling anything. So I’ll do my best to share my thoughts without ruining anything for future readers.
At first, it took me a bit to get invested in the story, but once I did, I was hooked. I really liked how she brought back a character from one of her earlier works, My Sister’s Keeper.
I also loved how she included the Navajo culture in this one.
The book also covers some very dark subject matter; however, Jodi balances it perfectly with humor and a lot of heart. Hollow Bones is a remarkable, emotionally driven, and culturally resonant novel that readers are going to love.
I listened to the audiobook version of Hollow Bones which is read by Rebecca Soler, MacLeod Andrews, and Julia Whelan who did a beautiful job bringing the story to life. Also the afterward at the end (which is a must read) is read by the author. If you decide to pick this one up, I highly recommend this format!
Hollow Bones by Jodi Picoult will be available on September 15.
Hollow Bones is one of those books that’s difficult to write about without spoiling anything. So I’ll do my best to share my thoughts without ruining anything for future readers.
At first, it took me a bit to get invested in the story, but once I did, I was hooked. I really liked how she brought back a character from one of her earlier works, My Sister’s Keeper.
I also loved how she included the Navajo culture in this one.
The book also covers some very dark subject matter; however, Jodi balances it perfectly with humor and a lot of heart. Hollow Bones is a remarkable, emotionally driven, and culturally resonant novel that readers are going to love.
I listened to the audiobook version of Hollow Bones which is read by Rebecca Soler, MacLeod Andrews, and Julia Whelan who did a beautiful job bringing the story to life. Also the afterward at the end (which is a must read) is read by the author. If you decide to pick this one up, I highly recommend this format!
Hollow Bones by Jodi Picoult will be available on September 15.
September 19, 2026
Nope, not for me. I'm writing this review for anyone like me, who used to love Jodi Picoult's books (I once had a signed copy!), but stopped once she leaned into politics. This book will shovel one political topic down your throat after another. Just, geez. A 9/11 book with Jodi's undeniable writing ability!? I was hopeful, and I kept putting my annoyance to the side because the characters are interesting (hence all the good reviews), it's just not for me. And probably not for many people sitting on the other side of the aisle...
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thanks to Penguin Random House and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Hollow Bones demonstrates what has now become her trademark by taking a social issue (in this case postpartum psychosis) as the backdrop for an emotionally charged story that stays with her readers after they turn its final page.
Molly Fitzgerald lost her mother, Essie, in the 9/11 attacks when she was only two months old. She now runs Rhode Island's Department's for Emergency Preparedness and her husband, Jessie, is both a detective and expert stenographer for the Providence Police Department. Molly announces she's pregnant which excites Jessie, but causes her an unexpected amount of concerns and worries. Molly recieves assurances and comfort from her obstetrician's newest receptionist, Georgia, who will later on help Molly when she face a major crisis during her pregnancy. The turmoil that Molly that faces opens up old wounds for herself, her family, and an unexpected someone. who's backstory not only answers questions about Molly's past, but will effect her future.
It's hard for me to post my comments about Picoult's latest because of my guarantee to never include spoilers in my reviews. There are surprises and twists that completely threw me off because they greatly change the story's direction in a good way. There are also difficult subjects that come up such as both physical and sexual abuse, rape, and the scenes of postpartum disturbed me, but I also knew that Picoult as usual didn't exploit these topics, but treats them with her usual blend of care and sensitivity. The book's strongest aspect is in it's character development which is something that Picoult always excels at especially here with Molly.
The story has both it plusses and minuses. I found Molly and Jessie's respective careers fascinating and understood why they find fulfillment in their challenging careers. I thought Picoult captured dead on the chaos of 9/11 and later how the tragedy emotionally drained all.od us. They are so many good aspects of "Hollow" that they almost override it faults such as certain contrived events and its predictability. The biggest fault in the epilogue that left me to question if this was Picoult's original ending? The final chapter just doesn't mesh with the epilogue because it's just to neat and sentimental.
Hollow Bones had the potential to be one of Picoult's best books, but it's uninspired epilogue brought it down to a book I reccomend, but missing the risk element that's featured in Picoult's best books.
Hollow Bones demonstrates what has now become her trademark by taking a social issue (in this case postpartum psychosis) as the backdrop for an emotionally charged story that stays with her readers after they turn its final page.
Molly Fitzgerald lost her mother, Essie, in the 9/11 attacks when she was only two months old. She now runs Rhode Island's Department's for Emergency Preparedness and her husband, Jessie, is both a detective and expert stenographer for the Providence Police Department. Molly announces she's pregnant which excites Jessie, but causes her an unexpected amount of concerns and worries. Molly recieves assurances and comfort from her obstetrician's newest receptionist, Georgia, who will later on help Molly when she face a major crisis during her pregnancy. The turmoil that Molly that faces opens up old wounds for herself, her family, and an unexpected someone. who's backstory not only answers questions about Molly's past, but will effect her future.
It's hard for me to post my comments about Picoult's latest because of my guarantee to never include spoilers in my reviews. There are surprises and twists that completely threw me off because they greatly change the story's direction in a good way. There are also difficult subjects that come up such as both physical and sexual abuse, rape, and the scenes of postpartum disturbed me, but I also knew that Picoult as usual didn't exploit these topics, but treats them with her usual blend of care and sensitivity. The book's strongest aspect is in it's character development which is something that Picoult always excels at especially here with Molly.
The story has both it plusses and minuses. I found Molly and Jessie's respective careers fascinating and understood why they find fulfillment in their challenging careers. I thought Picoult captured dead on the chaos of 9/11 and later how the tragedy emotionally drained all.od us. They are so many good aspects of "Hollow" that they almost override it faults such as certain contrived events and its predictability. The biggest fault in the epilogue that left me to question if this was Picoult's original ending? The final chapter just doesn't mesh with the epilogue because it's just to neat and sentimental.
Hollow Bones had the potential to be one of Picoult's best books, but it's uninspired epilogue brought it down to a book I reccomend, but missing the risk element that's featured in Picoult's best books.
October 1, 2026
Another powerful read by Ms. Picoult. I have to hand it to her. She tackles some really hard subjects and events and does it with depth, and sensitivity. I always sense extensive research behind everything she writes, and Hollow Bones is no exception. This book is beautiful and heartbreaking, as so much of real life truly is.
October 1, 2026
Dang, this was a good book! I’m so sad it’s over!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Another great read by Jodi Picoult! I love how her books tackle controversial and difficult issues head-on while challenging you to think beyond the obvious answers.
I went into this book not realizing just how closely the timing of its events would connect to the present, which made the story hit even harder. The book delves deeply into postpartum psychosis—both how much more recognized it has become and how devastating and tragic it can be. It also weaves in the events of 9/11 in a way that adds another complicated layer to the story.
What I especially appreciated was how thoughtfully the story explored the idea that sometimes doing the “right” thing can still have devastating consequences, while what seems wrong may not always be so simple. There aren’t always clear answers, and sometimes there simply is no right answer at all.
A thought-provoking, emotional, and incredibly well-crafted story. Highly recommend!
Thank you to Net Galley and Ballantine Books for giving me this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
I went into this book not realizing just how closely the timing of its events would connect to the present, which made the story hit even harder. The book delves deeply into postpartum psychosis—both how much more recognized it has become and how devastating and tragic it can be. It also weaves in the events of 9/11 in a way that adds another complicated layer to the story.
What I especially appreciated was how thoughtfully the story explored the idea that sometimes doing the “right” thing can still have devastating consequences, while what seems wrong may not always be so simple. There aren’t always clear answers, and sometimes there simply is no right answer at all.
A thought-provoking, emotional, and incredibly well-crafted story. Highly recommend!
Thank you to Net Galley and Ballantine Books for giving me this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
October 2, 2026
Please don't mistake my criticism of this book for criticism of its politics. My problem is that Picoult threw every possible narrative device, issue, emotional trigger, and audience hook into the story.
This is what it felt like the book was doing: "I'm going to soften you up with 9/11
Implausible Characters: Molly had a master's degree by 19 and, at 25, became the state's Chief Director of Emergency Preparedness, responsible for epidemics, storms, grid blackouts, plane crashes, oil spills, natural and environmental disasters, etc. She's 25! This isn't fantasy fiction. My brain can't anchor in very intense, real-world plot lines starring an implausible protagonist.
Overly Engineered: Molly has to be 25 to tie her to 9/11 so she can lose her mom and be set up for the rest of the crazy plot. And Jesse has to be 40 to incorporate My Sister's Keeper. My question is: other than to sell old books, why? Now, the characters are built around the plot rather than developed as believable people.
Manufactured Interconnectedness: When so many different storylines are tied together, everything becomes consequential, and it's too much. And, no doubt this is why the novel dragged in certain parts.
Trauma Stacking: One tragic event after another is piled on to the point that the excesses more closely resemble a telenovela than a novel.
Manufactured Pathos: When tragedy and trauma are repeatedly deployed to force me to feel something, the only thing I feel is mad. (I really, really wanted to like this book.)
Contrived Construction: A plot and characters constructed to maximize drama scream, "I don't trust my reader," and Picoult is better than that.
This is what it felt like the book was doing: "I'm going to soften you up with 9/11
Implausible Characters: Molly had a master's degree by 19 and, at 25, became the state's Chief Director of Emergency Preparedness, responsible for epidemics, storms, grid blackouts, plane crashes, oil spills, natural and environmental disasters, etc. She's 25! This isn't fantasy fiction. My brain can't anchor in very intense, real-world plot lines starring an implausible protagonist.
Overly Engineered: Molly has to be 25 to tie her to 9/11 so she can lose her mom and be set up for the rest of the crazy plot. And Jesse has to be 40 to incorporate My Sister's Keeper. My question is: other than to sell old books, why? Now, the characters are built around the plot rather than developed as believable people.
Manufactured Interconnectedness: When so many different storylines are tied together, everything becomes consequential, and it's too much. And, no doubt this is why the novel dragged in certain parts.
Trauma Stacking: One tragic event after another is piled on to the point that the excesses more closely resemble a telenovela than a novel.
Manufactured Pathos: When tragedy and trauma are repeatedly deployed to force me to feel something, the only thing I feel is mad. (I really, really wanted to like this book.)
Contrived Construction: A plot and characters constructed to maximize drama scream, "I don't trust my reader," and Picoult is better than that.
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