Small Great Things in Around the Year in 52 Books

Sep 23, 2019 Jen Ifer's Inklings rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: audio-books, library, read-in-2019

I'm not even sure where to start with my thoughts on this book. I think it's a powerful look at racism in all forms - blatant and inherent.

It's hard to understand the ways that (us) white people are racist when we don't think we are or we actively try not to be. It's not intentional and that is harder to grasp and understand as a white person. We have to do better and part of that is recognizing that everyone has some bias in them.

I have a lot of thoughts on this book but I'm not sure I'm read ...more

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Jan 24, 2017 Tanya rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2017

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. In every book Jodi Picoult writes, I feel some kind of connection that draws me in to root for the character and peaceful resolution. I loved the detail of every character in this book, even if I didn't actually like person. One passage that especially brought me to tears was the following, which happens immediately after Ruth arrived at the hospital where her mom has been taken after her two strokes (which lead to death):

"Some kind nurse has left the body for me. I go into the small curtained In every book Jodi Picoult writes, I feel some kind of connection that draws me in to root for the character and peaceful resolution. I loved the detail of every character in this book, even if I didn't actually like person. One passage that especially brought me to tears was the following, which happens immediately after Ruth arrived at the hospital where her mom has been taken after her two strokes (which lead to death):

"Some kind nurse has left the body for me. I go into the small curtained cubicle and sit down beside her. I take her hand; it's still warm. "Why didn't I call you last night?" I murmur. "Why didn't I go visit you this past weekend?"
I sit on the edge of the bed, then tuck myself myself under her arm for a moment, lying with my ear against her still chest. This is the last time I will have to be her baby.
It's a strange thing, being suddenly motherless. It's like losing a rudder that was keeping me on course, one that I never paid much mind to before now. Who will teach me how to parent, how to deal with the unkindness of strangers, how to b humble?
You already did, I realize.

And another passage that inspires me to think about my path that had been created:

She walks toward m. "Look at you," Ruth sneers. "You're so proud of being a public defender and working with people of color who need your help. But did you ever think our misfortune is directly related to your good fortune? Maybe the house your parents bought was on he market because the sellers didn't want my mama in the neighborhood. Maybe the good grades that eventually led you to law school were possible because your mama didn't have to work eighteen hours a day and was there to read to you at night, or to make sure you did your homework. How often do you remind yourself how lucky you are that you own your house, because you were able to build up equity through generations in a way families of color can't? How often do you open your mouth at work and think how awesome it is that no one's thinking you're speaking for everyone with the same color skin as her? How hard is it for you to find a greeting card for your baby's birthday with a picture of a child that has the same color skin as her? How many times have you seen a painting of Jesus that looks like you?" She stops, breathing heavily, her cheeks flushed. "Prejudice goes both ways, you know. There are people who suffer from it, and there are people who profit from it. Who died and made you Robin Hood? Who said I ever needed saving? Here you are on your high horse, telling me I screwed up this case that you worked so hard on; parting yourself on the back for being an advocate for the poor, struggling black woman like me...but you're part of the reason I was down on the ground to begin with. "

Powerful. This book had so much courage in it. I am ready already to read it again! ...more

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Mar 11, 2017 Michelle Gragg rated it did not like it

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Aug 15, 2020 Jesse rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: 20-word-reviews, 2020-around-the-year, 2020-popsugar

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

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Jul 06, 2017 Kiley rated it liked it · review of another edition

A good, make-you-think type of book.

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Jun 24, 2018 Fatma rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: adult

This one is a hard one for me. Jodi Picoult is a good researcher and a good storyteller but at times, I found some of her character development to be too much like research. I've read some of her books many years ago and chose not to read her books. This book came to me highly recommended but also because the person who recommended it wanted to know my opinion on what I thought of the story. As much as it wasn't my favourite, I know many readers who would enjoy this book. ...more

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