Book #2

It's really sad that I've only read 2 books so far out of my 100 for the year. YIKES. 

Anyway. 

So I've changed the plan. Again. Instead of following to a strict list, which I mean, get let's get real here, there was no WAY I was going to stick to, I'm just going to keep track of the books I finish in a year, and see if I can make it to 100. Do I feel like a failure for not sticking to a list? Yes. Do I also have to be real with myself and understand that expectation was maybe not realistic? Yes. 

So book #2 was really unexpected. A friend of mine recommended it to me, and I just happened to see it at the library a couple weeks later. It's by an author that I had never read before, I know of many people who read her books, and love her. 

Book #2 was House Rules by Jodi Picoult. It was absolutely incredible. 

I'm finding it hard to find words to describe this book. Honestly, I haven't so touched by a book ever (since The Shack anyway, and I don't think another book will touch me in the same way). 

It was written in a style I'm not usually fond of. Every chapter was from the perspective of a different person, and 5 different perspectives were used. Usually I'm not a fan because whenever I've read books that have used this style, I find it difficult to follow because the perspectives are either really different, or the author just hasn't done the job in blending them all. Jodi Picoult however, manages to separate and blend all 5 perspectives into a beautifully crafted and touching story about a boy with Aspergers syndrome. 

I had no idea what Aspergers was until I read this book. The way I can describe it, is that it's a severe form of autism. People with Aspergers have troubles communicating, and cannot 'perform' certain emotions, such as empathy. They don't understand the idea of putting themselves into someone else's shoes; in fact, they would take that statement literally.

"Always put yourself in others' shoes if you feel that it hurts you, it probably hurts the other person too"

In this book, the main character, Jacob, has an obsession with forensic science (apparently people with Aspergers have obsessions with one subject). He will go to crime scenes, and try to 'help' the police figure out the crime. However, one day his tutor is found dead, and the police go to him with questions. His obsession with forensic science makes the police wonder if he set the whole thing up to point the finger at her boyfriend whom Jacob has a huge dislike for. 


I ended up calling the end of it (kind of, she isn't super clear), which never happens, however for a while there it looked like my guess wasn't going to be right. I strongly encourage you to check this book out. It's a fun read, and it's also a bit educational. It's got some fun facts about certain famous people who allegedly were diagnosed with the syndrome. 


Happy reading!