Women from different backgrounds and for different reasons come to an abortion clinic. Their stories are revealed as they are held hostage by a man on a personal vendetta. Picoult deals with social issues in her books and the subject matter in Spark of Light is very current. She presents both sides of the issue in a manner that makes you ponder your own personal beliefs. The main characters are beautifully developed and all worthy of validation regardless of their reasons for coming to the clinic. Love all of Picoult's books I've read and this one is no different. Great read.

It took me until almost the last chapter to realize why this book was written backwards. I struggled with it initially, especially because I had a digital copy and had trouble looking back on what I had read. While I enjoyed this book from the beginning, I wasn't especially attached to any of the characters and therefore wasn't in a hurry to pick it up after a long day.

There is a lot happening in our world today that makes me upset, and this book hit upon some of them. The men who are making decisions for girls and women is upsetting enough-but now that I have a daughter, I can not imagine her having to go through something as difficult as deciding to have an abortion-and then dealing with all of the insane laws, religious people pushing their beliefs, and judgement.

I read this book as someone who is generally open minded and entirely pro choice. It would be interesting to have a book club discussion on this book. I had Willie Parker's book on my to be read list already, and it sounds like something I need to read sooner than later.

When I go back to teaching, this book would be nice to have in a high school class. I was lucky enough to teach in a progressive school in Brooklyn-unfortunately this book won't be as readily available in the states that would benefit the most.

Very good, engrossing read as one would expect from Picoult. However, one of the aspects enjoyed about the author's works are the twist and I was able to figure them out easily early in. Too predictable from that perspective. Overall though recommended.

“There were eleven women in front of him: seven black, two white, two brown. He paid attention to the race of those who came to the Center because for him, the politics of abortion had so much in common with the politics of racism. As an African American male, he could imagine quite easily what it was like to not have jurisdiction over your body. White men had once owned black men’s bodies. Now, white men wanted to own women’s bodies.”

This book right here! As one can tell, abortion is the subject matter and it isn’t a black and white issue. What is morally right? Why doesn’t a woman have the final say over what happens to her body? If we are so pro-life then why aren’t we doing more to provide resources for all women in terms of adequate healthcare and a livable wage?

A Spark of Light will make you ponder, think, and it will make you feel uncomfortable. Jodi brilliantly weaves together the abortion debate with race issues. And, while this book made me feel uncomfortable at times, it’s gonna make white men feel even 100 times more uncomfortable.

One day. Everything that everyone believes can change within the course of one day. I could write so much more about this book but I don’t believe in spoilers and this is one I believe you should experience for yourself. I will end this by saying: A Spark of Light is another masterpiece by this author that I can easily see being made into a film.

Jodi Picoult has always been a favorite author of ours. We have pretty much devoured everyone of her books. However, we feel like the last couple books have been more of a "soap box" attempt to push her views on readers. Yes there is a story behind the world issues, but a lot of the story has personal feelings tied in as well (clearly from the author).

We will continue to try more books from Jodi, but this one wasn't for us.

Another beautifully written book. Ms Picoult always makes you see both of the story, but in this book I didn’t find that.

This was a great story, a little different than Jodi’s usual style, but another amazing tale that captivates the reader. I absolutely love her ability to grab a reader and immerse them in her stories. Highly recommend to anyone wanting a good read and gives one another perspective on social issues.

Nobody can write a book that makes me *feel* like Jodi Picoult. She never, ever disappoints and her new read "A Spark of Light" is another example. As usual, the plot is something that is happening in today's society which makes her books completely relevant. With her usual tremendous dialogue and fast moving plot, Picoult has stunned us again! Five stars and two thumbs WAY up!

Picoult takes on abortion in this book in a timely and sensitive manner presenting all sides of this controversial topic. A timeline that works backward that honestly confused me initially until I realized what was happening.

In A Spark of Light Jodi Picoult tackles the highly controversial topic of abortion. She brings us to an abortion clinic with an active shooter and an emotionally involved hostage negotiator. I loved the way the story developed slowly, going back and fort in time and between characters. This gives the reader time to get to know the characters. And, once you know them, you are more fully invested in the outcome. I will definitely be recommending A Spark of Light to my book clubs.

This will probably be one of my least favorite Jodi Picoult books; partly because of the topic and partly because of how it was told. Picoult again challenges beliefs by telling the story of an abortion clinic shooting and forcing the reader into each character ‘s perspective. My complaint is that the story began at the end of the day, then time slowly turns back, each chapter turning back one hour at a time. I would have rather had the story chronologically and got the characters story from beginning to end. The abortion themes got a bit political/heavy-handed at times as well.

If it were possible to give more then 5 stars to the books by Jodi Picoult I would do that for ever book of hers I have read. This one is certainly no exception.

Ms. Picoult takes on the abortion issue in her new work and all the baggage that comes along with. An angry father takes revenge on a Mississippi abortion clinic with a gun and hostages. What follows is told with the eloquence and exquisite storytelling this author is knowledgeable for. She is a thinking person’s writer bringing to life one of life’s current emotional issues and leaves a resounding effect on the reader long after the last page is read.

This is one you don’t want to miss. This book is due out in October, 2018.

I love Jodi Picoult and her willingness to tackle incredibly difficult and mentally challenging subjects, and she always does a phenomenal and well researched job. I have my opinions around the subject of abortion, and yet I found myself surprisingly empathetic to characters I did not expect to.

I did find that the choppy nature of the book and backward story telling made it somewhat difficult to truly immerse myself in the experience and become emotionally connected. I suspect that the perspective shift confusion may be alleviated in the final version, considering that there are typically font or format shifts to go along in the printed books. Without that I had a hard time keeping up at times, and keeping everyone straight.

Overall I enjoyed the book, and I think that this is an incredibly important topic, presented in a cohesive and identifiable manner. Definitely a must read.

I got about 30% of the way through and decided to skip ahead to the end. I am a huge fan of Jodi Picoult, but I may not have been in the right frame of mind for this novel. Partially, I wanted to know how the situation was resolved, so I did read the ending, but I found myself uninterested in all of the "in between" story. Between the graphic abortion descriptions and the active shooter situations, there are 2 very heavy topics in this book that may be triggers for people. The story alternated between present/past and there were several alternating character viewpoints which really made you have to pay attention (it was sort of confusing I thought). If these 2 topics don't bother you, I would say definitely get your mind right & give this one a try. Just because it wasn't for me doesn't mean it's not a great novel.

Jodi Picoult takes readers on another emotional journey, this time exploring the issue of abortion through the eyes of characters involved in a shooting at a women's health clinic. Navigating the landscape in a reverse timeline provides a deeper examination of the characters' stories. One always expects a twist at the end of a Picoult novel, but this one came with a powerful punch that will leave readers talking long after the book ends. A Spark of Light deserves a spot on every book club's reading list.

For years, I have described Jodi Picoult's writing as "thought provoking" and this is no exception. Always one to write about a timely "hot button" topic, this novel takes place in a busy abortion clinic in the deep south. The entire novel takes place over the course of a day but Picoult mixes it up because it is told in reverse order. So, the book opens in the midst of an active shooter situation happening in an abortion clinic. We meet the main characters and as the story unfolds - backwards - we learn about why they are in that place at that time. I think it was brilliantly executed, filled with facts that accurately represent both sides of the abortion controversy. Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy. I will happily recommend this title to patrons in my library.

A great writing that brings light to the many different angles of a controversial and difficult topic. Well researched, and written with broad empathy. Only downside for me was the timing scheme of the book--it took a bit away from what was otherwise and engaging read.

A Spark of Light by Jodi Picoult

Of course, the writing and research were excellent, the story just didn't draw me in.
In starting out it felt like being thrown into the middle of the book; originally I thought that the perhaps the chapters were mixed up. However, eventually I realized that this was the way the story was play out. Can't say that I am a fan of this type of story telling, I never did get connected to the characters and felt like the "message" was the main focus of the book, not the characters story.

Her Sister's Keeper had a much subtler approach and as the story evolved we got to know the characters, circumstances, and the message had more of an impact. I usually look for this kind of novel from Ms Picoult.

Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for the opportunity to preview the book.

What a sensational book, from an author who never disappoints. This book as always is filled with excellent research and humanity. The flawed, beautiful characters are living and breathing, and the two reveals at the end, I never saw coming. You have another major bestseller on your hands in the fall. Bravo!

Thank you to Net Galley and Random House/Ballantine for an electronic advance of this title in exchange for my honest review. This book is timely, as they usually are with Jodi Picoult. This book takes readers through a period time, backward, over a day, with multiple characters and narrators. You might go into this book with one opinion, but you have an opportunity to see the point of view, the feelings and beliefs of all sides and characters in the book. The book propelled me into some anxiety, because you really can't tell who lives, who dies and how that comes about. I was on the edge of my seat (well, in my bed) and didn't want to put it down.
Once again, Picoult has risen to the occasion, and I highly recommend this title. Read the book. It will make you think, and thinking is something that is sorely needed in the world.