Hooked on Books discussion

Members Starting the BR: Danielle & Jessica & Dede
Challenge: Toys Round-Up
Book: Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult

Anyone is free to join in this Buddy Read! Happy Reading!

I'm excited for my 1st BR here!!!

I did finish this one today in anticipation. When are you guys thinking of starting? And is it ok if I add some thoughts since I finished it? I can wrap them in spoiler tags.

I am excited too!! I probably can start tomorrow, what about y’all??

Dede wrote: "I am excited too!! I probably can start tomorrow, what about y’all??"

Wow, tomorrow! Awesome. I was worried it would be WEEKS! 🤣

So - my early comment was that very early on, this was a hard listen for me (I did the audiobook... so certain language *hits* harder. I'm glad I stuck with it though.

So..before I forget, I called out one quote in my review.

One line from the book sort of hit me in the face when I heard it. I had to back it up, listen again, and then take a short break since it got me thinking.

Because I don't think Jessica started it yet, I'll hide it.
(view spoiler)["The reason we don't talk about race is because we do not speak a common language." ~Ruth (hide spoiler)]

I'm glad I did this one. Don't think I'll forget it any time soon.

I am excited to read this although I am not sure if I am ready to get emotional.

Question for once you guys get to this one - what did you think of the author's note at the end. I found it interesting, especially the topic of the title and the inspiration of where she got it from. I didn't know it was a version from a MLK Jr speech!

I found the author’s note interesting also. I thought this book was well written and she wrote it with respect. I couldn’t really put it down. I had to know what was going to happen.

Dede wrote: "I found the author’s note interesting also. I thought this book was well written and she wrote it with respect. I couldn’t really put it down. I had to know what was going to happen."

I totally get that! I was the same. I'll be curious to hear Jessica's thoughts as she goes through it. I think she'll be starting it soon-ish.

I'm starting today! Will definitely posts my thoughts!

So I went into this book blind. . .I am liking it so far, but definitely understand why Danielle said she was angry. I am only at 9%.

Jessica wrote: "So I went into this book blind. . .I am liking it so far, but definitely understand why Danielle said she was angry. I am only at 9%."

I went in mostly blind too. And yeah... mad emotions hit early.

"Ereptile Dysfunction!" LOL

Jessica wrote: ""Ereptile Dysfunction!" LOL"

hahaha. I remember laughing at that line!

"She put a place setting on the table for my attitude"

and now i am tearing up

Jessica wrote: "and now i am tearing up"

Awwww…. You thought you might. What scene or what’s happening where you’re at in the book?

mom's funeral and the scene with lawyer and her mom talking to Ruth

Jessica wrote: "mom's funeral and the scene with lawyer and her mom talking to Ruth"

I thought she a good job at the 2 women getting to know each other and understand each other. The line I quoted above (inside spoiler tags) was during one of their conversations together.

Where did you end up landing with this one, Jessica? I saw you finished it!

so finished last night. i originally thought epilogue was too nicely wrapped in a bow. Not the Turk seeing Ruth part, but the Turk doing such a 180. Then listening to the afterword it made more sense.

Jessica wrote: "so finished last night. i originally thought epilogue was too nicely wrapped in a bow. Not the Turk seeing Ruth part, but the Turk doing such a 180. Then listening to the afterword it made more sense."

Agreed about the afterword. And actually agreed about Turk. It felt too convenient. I landed at a 4.25 for this one. I liked it a lot, will definitely check more out by her... but in small doses and when my mood is tolerant. It's just not my normal type of genre.

Let try this again since the computer just decided to erased everything i typed. Throughout the book i wondered how people would react with an white person writing about the challenges in the black community through the lense of an mc and not a side character. It definitely was more palatable since she had other POVs. I really liked how she addressed discussing racism is really uncomfortable, but necessary. White privilege is real and people need to take ownership of it and see how to make things equitable for everyone. I used to feel guilty bc my kid got time and a half to take tests bc others could view it as unfair. but my cousin explained to me that since my kid had ADHD that the extra time isnt taking advantage, its making it equitable. People as a society need to understand that things need to equitable for all, not necessarily equal. As a white person, we are so far "in the lead" in society just by being born white. If i didnt know it before, this book really hit it home.

I definitely see a difference in the younger generation, at least my kids. B and I were watching the beginning of a cooking competition and the judges made a comment about one of the contestants that just rolled off my back, but B was like that wasn't even a microaggression, that was a macroaggression. I'm out. So we all need to work on ourselves, but i do see some small changes in the kids and that gives me hope.

Jessica wrote: "Let try this again since the computer just decided to erased everything i typed. Throughout the book i wondered how people would react with an white person writing about the challenges in the black..."

great example! Yeah, I was uncomfortable early on in this one, but I think it was an important read. Part of being uncomfortable is clearly facing white privilege. I really like your point about things being equitable. It's about fairness. I think it's important to provide that when it makes sense. That's at the heart of the big debate about DEI, but at the root of it, it's the same issue - leveling the playing field for opportunity.

Ok so I keep thinking about what an author should be "allowed" to write. I think there is a clearer distinction between non fiction and fiction. In non-fiction its more about historical accuracy so i think there is more leeway. As I stated above i think it helped in this book that it was 3 different POVs. I dont remember seeing any backlash like there was with American Dirt. Not sure if you read Yellowface by RF Kuang, but this was a huge topic in that book. I ended up listening to an author chat with RF Kuang was somewhat surprised that her take is that anybody should be able to write anything they want as long as it is well researched and that there are sensitivity readers involved. That being said, I was really appreciative that in Jodi Picoult's book Mad Honey that it was actually co authored.

Jessica wrote: "Ok so I keep thinking about what an author should be "allowed" to write. I think there is a clearer distinction between non fiction and fiction. In non-fiction its more about historical accuracy so..."

This was my first by her. I haven't done the others you mentioned. Probably because as I mentioned, not a common genre for me. I have had Mad Honey on my tbr for a while though, maybe it's time for me to move it up my list!

While I'm not an author, I strong agree with that opinion that any author can write on any topic if care is taken. I mean that for fictional books.

I know this book will be with me for a while. I did get emotional in parts and I will recommend this book. I agree that there is a lot in this book, but very well written. As a whole, we all can be more kind to all races.

Dede wrote: "I know this book will be with me for a while. I did get emotional in parts and I will recommend this book. I agree that there is a lot in this book, but very well written. As a whole, we all can be..."

I figured this one hit you some since you went a bit quiet afterwards. Which I totally get. I've still been thinking about this one since finishing it. It had a powerful message for sure.