Book Review: Second Glance by Jodi Picoult

I have to start by saying that Jodi Picoult is my favorite author, which (to some) might make this review seem biased in her favor as I have a propensity to love everything she touches. I just find her fluid yet slightly-elevated writing style, her unique plot ideas, the twists and turns she incorporates into each new story, her intersection of disparate characters and plots into one seamless story, and her multi-perspective way of addressing that common-thread plotline are too amazing not to praise. That being said...

I received Second Glance as a present from my mother in a book box she sent me for Christmas (I know, my mom is the best). I have read SO many of Picoult's other stories that I knew right away that I would love this one, as well, before I had any idea what the story was even about. When I read the back cover and some of the reviews on the first few pages (yes, I actually read those) I was pleased to learn that this story would be even further up my alley than I already assumed.

I am not typically drawn to sci-fi or supernatural genres. I tend to stick with more contemporary fiction. While I like horror, I tend to be drawn more into stories of true crime rather than fictional monsters. At the same time, though, I love a great ghost story every now and then, which is why this book stuck out to me from the start.  The casualness with which Picoult writes about and incorporates elements of the spirital world, as well as some elements of wrinkles in the time contiuum, create a whole different feel in this story. It provides the elements of the gothic without the fear of a horror novel. Instead, these elements bring the characters and story together in a way that seems natural and peaceful. The serenity these chaotic characters finally find when they begin to let go of the logical, known world around them and open themselves up to the powers outside of their control all help to remind the reader that life cannot be understood or controlled by the individual, but rather we are all a piece of a bigger, cohesive story that supercedes our linear lives.

The viewpoints switch between multiple characters (as she is known to do) and the character list is quite extensive. It could be easy for a reader unused to this narrative technique to become lost within the first few chapters. On top of that, the story time jumps between the past events of Comtosook in the 1930s and the more contemporary characters of Comtosook in the 2000s. Each of these elements brings a depth and a complexity to the story that helps a reader gather bits and pieces of the story from multiple perspectives in a way that still does not reveal the entirety of the story, leaving room for the dips and dives that plot takes throughout.

With the incorporation of so many characters and plotlines throughout the story, Picoult is able to address many different themes including the fine lines between love and obsession - as well as the blur between the two; the power of depression over the logical mind for the victim, as well as those lives around them who are also affected; and the sense of one-ness in the universe across time (the idea that everything happens for a reason - both past and present). Picoult is able to present each of these through what seem to be completely different families, stories, and plots, but then draws them all together through one, mainline event where each of their paths and stories intersect in ways - sometimes supernatural - that they would never have guessed.

While the story is fictional - Picoult uses the small, fictional town of Comtosook, Vermont as her setting for the events of the story - there still appears to be an air of historical accuracy to many of the events and themes about which she writes. While I have never been anywhere near the East coast and have nothing of my own empirical experiences to compare to, Picoult's descriptions of the town, the nature, and the community in this town seem so native that I feel as if I have actually been there.  The incorporation of fictional member of a factual Abenaki (Native American) tribe into the story - their history in the town, and their treatment by the settlers and inhabitants of the town (mostly WASP) - give this fictional novel a historically accurate tone in both the past and present portrayals of these events. Picoult emphasizes this factual tone with epigraphs from actual nonfiction pieces written in the 1930s from prevalent scientific research that emerged from this time and place about eugenics.

Having been previously unaware of the eugenics studies and projects of the 1930s in America (including those that Hitler used during his reign of terror in Germany to support his genocide of Jewish peoples) this fictional story brought to light some national issues of the past (about race, ethnicity, identity, "passing", and social acceptance) that can still be applied to many different social issues that America faces today. Issues about race, personal perceptions, social norms, and the malleability in the use of "hard scientific data" within the story causes the reader to question and look deeper into "facts" that are presented on social issues today, including how manipulative others can be with what seems like hard data. These deep, insightful looks can help society open their eyes in an abundance of ways if applied with critical thought.

For anyone who reads contemporary fiction, for those who are interested in a more-believable spirit story rather than a highly-fictualized version of a ghost story for the mere sake of fear, and obviously for anyone who is a fan of Jodi Picoult's work, I highly recommond reading Second Glance.

Book Review: “The Adventures of Rex & Ted and the Strange Taco Tuesday: The Social Media Edition” by Michael Burton

Yesterday I had the pleasure of reviewing an early release of the upcoming story “The Adventures of Rex & Ted and the Strange Taco Tuesday: The Social Media Edition” by Michael Burton. This new release that becomes available on Monday, August 1st on Kindle is a hybrid story that incorporates social media-style illustrations along with its narrative to enhance the story. It is the first of this genre that I have ever had the experience of reading.

The story stars two teen-aged boys who have given up on school and their families to live together in a rundown trailer in the middle of the New Mexican dessert. They only return to school on Tuesdays for their favorite day - Taco Tuesdays! However, on this specific Taco Tuesday, they encounter new experiences that they - and their followers on Snapchat - will never forget.

This first of many in a series of graphically illustrated stories by Burton is quite amusing. It has a very Bill-and-Ted-meet-the-21st-century vibe (and if you’ve not seen that late 80s movie starring Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter, either watch it or ignore the reference above). Even though the two main characters in the story, Rex and Ted, are freshman in high school, this story seems to fit perfectly into the middle-grade genre. Kids at the mid-grade age will wish they were old enough for the independence and adventure that Rex and Ted experience throughout the story, yet are young enough to be enchanted by the incorporation of the millennial slang, pop culture references, and product placement sprinkled throughout the narrative.

In an article titled "Product placement in books: a publisher's point of view" posted to brandsandfilms.com, Caroline Goldsmith of Red Button Publishing is quoted as saying that product placement in writing "can give a story a sense of time, a sense of place and in some cases, a unique way of relating to the reader" (http://brandsandfilms.com/2014/11/product-placement-in-books-a-publishers-point-of-view/). Goldsmith's words here ring true with what Burton accomplishes in his story. His references to brands, products, celebrities, and other big names of 2016, prove that the knows and understands how to reach his target audience and connect with their own real-life, day-to-day experiences. Even though most of his references are explicitly stated, I thoroughly enjoy implicit references that make the reader think to their own experiences. One of my favorite moments in this short story was Burton’s allusion to the lyrics of a popular rap song by Yo Gotti; it truly appealed to my inner thuglife. But I digress…

Aside from the fact that Burton is extremely talented in his unique illustrations, he incorporates his drawings through the lens of a Snapchat story. For anyone who is not familliar with the popular social media app, the following part of this review - and possibly the whole premise of this story - are going to be slightly beyond you until you’ve come into the now in social media apps. His illustrations are not only hand drawn, but incorporate different Snapchat features and filters to add a complete new twist on what otherwise could have just been another digital storybook. Anyone who has ever ventured into the world of boredom and Snapchat filters will appreciate Chapter 3 of this story. Burton’s witty use of this social media incorporation into not only this, but the upcoming stories in the series, sets his release apart from others of this similar genre. It also provides a selling point to his target audience (young teens) as something they can connect with in their own, day-to-day lives.

One thing that stuck out to me (coming from a reader in my late twenties and not the intended audience of this story) was that, at times, the dialogue seemed incongruent with how most teenagers talk. It is clear that Burton did this purposely to keep the story appropriate and available for many age groups. As an English teacher, I interact with students of this age daily. With my knowledge of how the majority of them act, think, and speak, I kept waiting for Rex and Ted to call each other inappropriate names or make sexual innuendos. While the voices of the teens did not seem authentic to what I know of young teens in 2016, it is clear and understandable why Burton would censor the language in a story of this type to keep a PG rating for a younger audience, too.

The end of the story left off with a cliffhanger - loose ends in the adventure and the possibility of bringing in more characters and adventures. I assume that this is because Burton purposely wants to draw readers in for the release of the remainder of the upcoming stories in the series slated to be released later this year as a continuation of this story.

I really liked that, even though the story is about two young boys living on their own, dropping out of school (for everything but Taco Tuesday. LMFAO!) and their encounter with some supernatural elements - all situations which are not probable - it is also still a social commentary on the millennial generation, the infatuation with social media, the need to capture every moment in pictures and then share those pictures with others, as well as touching on the subjects of bullying (both in person and cyber-bullying) and other common teenage interactions (not feeling good enough for school, not fitting in with the "in crowd", relationship awkwardness and aspirations, etc.). The light-hearted way that Burton exposes these real-life issues shows that they exist but does not bombard the reader with darkness on heavy matters (which keeps the reading light for younger ages, as well).

Burton is a clever, creative, and talented artist in his storytelling and his artistry. I look forward to reading the remainder of the series as it is released.

A big thank you to author and illustrator, Michael Burton, for allowing me the chance to read, review, and share his work. If you're looking for a quick read and enjoy a younger-aged genre I highly suggest picking up this clever work. Again, it is available on Monday, August 1st for download on Kindle. If you would like to get in touch with author, you can follow his account on Instagram (@rex_and_ted) to interact, ask question, and receive updates on this and other upcoming stories in the series.