“Life happens when you least expect it, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have a blueprint in your back pocket.”

Wish You Were Here by Jodi Picoult @jodipicoult

🎉out tomorrow! 🎉

[Thank you to @randomhouse for the gifted arc and finished copy, and to @netgalley for the earc!]

This book is:
-The feeling of warm sand between your fingers
-Coming up for air after holding your breath underwater
-The slow, steady beep of a machine

Thoughts:
This book absolutely shook me to my core. It is terrifying and beautiful and enlightening. I had such a roller coaster of emotions throughout my reading journey, and I was captivated in a way that only Jodi Picoult's words can do.

One of my favorite things about Picoult's writing is how topical her novels are, and this one was no different. Without giving too much away, the summary of this book made me so excited to read it, but it didn't even begin to do the story justice.

I will say that this book is twisty AF. Like, drop my book and need to reread the last few pages twisty. However, the ending is so sweet and wonderful and, sure, I wish there were a few more pages, but this ending kept me up at night wondering about "what's next."

I like the author's reference to other works and media, her deep knowledge of the Galapagos, and her realistic and unrelenting look at COVID-19, especially in the early days, and the heroes in the medical field who fought so hard to save lives.

This is a memorable, touching book that I'll be thinking about for a long time. Definitely top three of 2021!

It’s March 2020 and Diana and her boyfriend Finn are set to take a trip to the Galapagos. Unfortunately Covid has hit the US and Finn, a physician in a NYC hospital, needs to stay and work so DIana goes on the trip alone. Once in the Galapagos though everything is closing due to the virus & she can’t make it home. She is taken in by a local family and begins a journey of self discovery. Or so it seems.

Overall I loved the descriptions of the Galapagos, the story of self discovery & second chances. I was not expecting the twist in the second half of this book and am still not sure how I felt about it. Personally, it’s still a little too soon to be reading about COVID, especially as we are still in the midst of it. I think this would be an excellent book in maybe 5-10 years.

I will admit that reading about a pandemic that we are still in made me quite nervous. If there is anyone, I trust to write an accurate and engaging account of what we are currently living through it would be Jodi Picoult. I picked this book up and I could NOT stop reading it.

This book takes you to the beginning of the Covid19 pandemic when we were all so unsure of what we were dealing with as far as the virus itself, healthcare through the beginning stages plus the effects of working in the healthcare system as well as going through the Covid experience. I had so many feelings throughout this entire book. Valid feelings that this book will help us to remember in many years to come. Thank you to Jodi Picoult for writing this piece of fiction and also sharing your personal story in the afterword!

A BIG thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for allowing me to read an early copy of this book.

This is a hard book to review, for two reasons; first, with it being based on quarantine and the pandemic, it’s too raw of a wound. Second, with (unfortunately) everything surrounding COVID-19 is so politically charged that it’s almost impossible to provide thoughts and opinions without starting conflict. With my goal of being a part of the bookstagram community, I’m going to focus on the writing, the feelings and the generalities of this review as to keep it as neutral as possible.

Jodi Picoult is one of the most eloquent writers I have ever read. When you read her books, you can be guaranteed three things- her books are well researched (this is, to an extent, no exception); she fluctuates between the past and present, filling in gaps and color for the story she is trying to write; lastly, she makes you feel SOMETHING- grief, love, happiness, fear- it all comes through vividly in her writing. I guess there is also a fourth thing with her writing- most times, there’s a twist and it’s often one you should have, but don’t, see coming.

This novel checked off all 4 items for me. It was a rollercoaster of emotions- confusion, anger, fear, and gut punching reality. I was worried about reading this book because, with us still in the middle of a pandemic that we all (really) hoped would be over, I felt a bit annoyed and angry that someone would try and capitalize on something that has affected millions of people. However, after really thinking about it, it’s hard to find any fictional story that addresses the pandemic. It’s almost like the entertainment industry is trying to forget 2020 happened- from that lens, it’s refreshing to have an author that doesn’t skirt around the subject.

Any true Jodi Picoult fan would enjoy this read. It was heavy, yes, but it was hauntingly beautiful.

Another great book by one of my favorite authors. Aside from the COVID setting of the book, this is a lighter Jodi Picoult book but still has lots of potential for good book club discussion. For some the book may be too early as it will bring up all sorts of COVID feelings/memories. Just like COVID times, this book leaves you questioning what is important in life. It also left me wanting to book a trip to the Galapagos Islands!

Wish You Were Here
by: Jodi Picoult
Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Ballantine Books

Wish You Were Here is a fictional story of Sotheby art associate specialist Diana's life circumstances beginning on March 13, 2020, during the very raw and real global Co-Vid pandemic. What was meant to be a romantic trip for two from New York City to the Galápagos Island of Isabel turns into a scenario that Diana and her surgical resident boyfriend, Finn, could never have imagined. She hesitatingly takes the trip alone, while Finn's hospital medical duty keeps him in New York City.
Picoult divides her powerfully profound book into two parts, along with an epilogue and author's note. The first part focuses around Diana on Isabel Island, where she arrives alone and faces the fear, uncertainty, and isolation of life during the beginning of Co-Vid. On the opposite end of the spectrum, the beautiful wildness of the island surrounds Diana. Her loneliness and apprehension lead to a connection with a local family.
Although unsure if I was ready to read a book set during the pandemic, once I began reading there was no turning back. I won't describe anything past Part One so that readers can fully and freshly experience for themselves each gripping turn of events in both New York and the Galápagos Islands.
The range of feelings that Picoult's writing brought me moved from agitation to stillness, anxiety to hope, and intensity to quiet, and then often back around again. For readers who are ready for their own emotional journey along with Diana, let this book take you there.
Thank you to Net Galley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Ballantine Books for the advance reader's copy and the opportunity to provide my unbiased review.
#WishYouWereHere #NetGalley

QOTD: Have you read a book that includes the pandemic yet?

AOTD: Wish You Were Here is my first!

Jodi Picoult is one of my all-time favorite authors. I even went to see her speak when A Spark of Light was first released. She’s just as wonderful in person. So, you can imagine I almost peed myself when I was approved for an eARC of her latest book. 😁 Thank you @netgalley and @jodipicoult and @randomhouse for this opportunity!

Diana is a young Sotheby’s employee who has her entire life planned out. She has planned out her schooling, her job, her relationship and every other aspect of her life. She’s due for a proposal from her boyfriend, Finn, and they’ve made vacation plans for the Galápagos Islands where she fully expects him to pop the question.

Only, right before they’re scheduled to leave Finn’s boss tells him he can’t leave. Have I mentioned he’s a resident and Covid is getting ready to HIT? Finn tells Diana to go ahead and go on the vacation without him.

At first, I was afraid this was going to be that trope where a female main character leaves her steady boyfriend and goes to some place exotic and finds her true love. Because, of course, Diana gets stuck on the island…which shuts down right as she arrives.

But. It’s not. This book does a major shift change at approximately 60% and I was 🤯.

I won’t say anymore other than the fact that I really liked this one! Picoult did some research to pull this one out and it was very interesting. Not my absolute favorite of hers, but 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Diana has her perfect life and her plans are rapidly falling into place. She is about to be engaged to her surgical resident boyfriend, she is about to be promoted at work at an auction house and her vacation is coming. Then all hell breaks loose as a pandemic hits the city and her boyfriend must stay and work. He still pushes her to go on the trip, but all goes wrong. The island is completely in lockdown and her hotel is shut down due to the pandemic. She finds refuge with a local family and begins bonding with one of the children. She also is beginning to rethink her choices and plans in life.

Will her vacation away from it all end up altering the course of her life.

HEY ALEXA! PLAY WISH YOU WERE HERE BY INCUBUS!

Because I wish YOU were HERE, having also read this riveting novel, so I could weep upon your shoulder and we could discuss just how profound this poignant story truly is…

Like so many of us, Diana O’Toole has her life perfectly planned and is on the fast track to having each goal checked off in an orderly fashion; Dreamy, perfect surgical resident boyfriend? Check! Kick ass, take names, and climb the corporate ladder? Check! Go on a romantic vacation and inevitably have said perfect boyfriend drop to one knee and pop the big question? Ch…….eck??????

Diana’s plans come to a screeching halt when the entire world comes to a standstill as COVID spreads throughout the city. Her boyfriend must stay behind at the hospital during a dire pandemic but he encourages Diana to travel solo on the Galapagos vacation they had planned. She becomes stuck on the island as all borders have closed and she uncomfortably eases her way into island life with the locals and begins learning so much more about herself and reevaluating her cookie cutter life.

During her time on the island, Diana soon realizes - all is not what it seems .

NOW LISTEN, I am trying my best to keep this review spoiler free but this is me reaching through the screen, gently grabbing you by the shoulders, and encouraging you to read this book!!!! There is a huge twist at 50% THAT LITERALLY KNOCKED ME ON MY ASS!

This is a story that is so important during a critical time in our world today. We need to reevaluate what we “believe” to be important. Our time here on this place called Earth is devastatingly limited and we need to be measuring this time in love, in laughter, and in memories.

Thank you Jodi for creating a story that moved me to tears and an Author's Note that brought me to my knees. Also, a huge bookish thank you to Penguin Random House for sending me an early copy of this novel. It has easily become one of my top favorite books of all time.

Wish You Were Here is an amazing book that is indescribable. Jodi Picoult works her writing magic once again to give her reader Diana O'Toole, a fascinating female character. Diana is almost 30 and she is living with her boyfriend Finn in NYC. She is an associate specialist at Sotheby's and Finn is a surgical resident. They are about to take an amazing vacation to the Galapagos where Diana suspects Finn will propose. Diana's future seems certain until New York begins to shut down due to COVID-19. Finn must work-he can not go on vacation and Diana decides to go without him. This story is extraordinary and evocative. Wish You Were Here is a definite must read for readers of thought provoking fiction.

Diana and her long-time boyfriend, Finn, have been looking forward to their trip to the Galápagos Islands, but then COVID-19 shatters their plans. Finn, a surgical resident, is immediately thrown into overtime hours at the hospital as an essential worker, but he encourages Diana to take the trip without him. Upon her arrival, the island is shut down for quarantine, and Diana connects with a local family who help her on her path to self-discovery.

While I have loved previous novels by Jodi Picoult, this book was not for me. I have read a few other novels that understandably incorporated COVID-19, given that it is the reality of our present day lives, but this book was a pandemic overdose. So much of the novel is very clinical in terms of coronavirus facts and information, and I think it was just too much too soon. I found Diana to be unlikeable and selfish, but was curious where her story would go, and unfortunately I disliked the direction the book went. While I personally would not recommend this novel, it will appeal to different readers, and I was just not the right audience.

Thank you NetGalley and Ballantine Books-Random House Publishing Group for an advance copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

I'm a fan of Jodi Picoult and she didn't let me down with this new story dealing with the Covid pandemic. Diane is an art expert, soon to be married to Finn, a surgical resident and living the life she has always envisioned. But when she and Finn are packed and ready to leave for their vacation in the Galapagos , Finn is told he is needed at the hospital and decides to stay. He insists that Diana go. Parts of this book are hard to read, depends on your personal experience with Covid. The twist and turns will shock you and at some points you can't stop reading. I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I’ve seen lots of readers post that they aren’t ready to read about COVID, or that they might feel ready, but it’s become so pervasive in our lives that I think it’s a natural profession that the new normal will creep into fiction.

I’m thinking about the serial killer that is hiding in plain sight behind his N95 mask or the victim that doesn’t get care in time because of an understaffed EMS.

I went into Jodi Picoult’s @jodipicoult Wish You Were Here with an open mind and a little bit blind, not knowing what to expect, and I’m so glad I did. Not only is there an unexpected and intriguing twist, but I found Wish You Were Here to be more about survival. It’s about resilience. It‘s about keeping your mind open to possibility.

Thank you to Random House and NetGalley for giving me an advanced copy of this book!

Trigger warning: self-harm, COVID, suicidal ideation

Favorite quote to come later, but I enjoyed this book and flew through it in a day! The twist REALLY threw me through a loop to the point that I had to call a friend who already read it to debrief. I grew up as a huge Jodi Picoult fan and tend to love her writing so I found this to be a really easy read. This is the first book I've read that takes place in 2020 during the pandemic and while I wasn't as triggered as I thought I would be, it was difficult to read.

This book just went places I did not expect! I admit that the first 7 or so chapters in the Galapagos dragged for soooooo long. But towards the end, I fell in love with Beatriz and Gabriel as characters. I don't want to spoil anything but I think if you just hold out until Part 2 it will be worth it. Overall, I didn't hate Diana, but she was incredibly selfish. She's been through a lot but she makes enormously disgusting and immoral choices that made me cringe as a reader. The ending I also felt was wrapped up too quickly for how much build-up there was. For such a rational person, she really didn't know how to use her head. Also, her argument of "Everything happens for a reason" and "This was meant to happen" did not sit well with me. Show some respect and decency to the suffering that others are enduring.

In the end, this is definitely a book that I'll be thinking about for a long time and am grateful to have read. It really put into perspective everything the world has gone through in the past two years and reminded me to be grateful for the things that I have. Would still recommend it even with the flaws that I mentioned!

I didn't think I would be ready for a Covid/pandemic book but it's Jodi Picoult, and I never turn down an opportunity to read her work.

This book will pull on your heart strings and then some. I was an emotional roller coaster while reading and some parts brought tears to my eyes because they hit close to home. They were emotions evoked by my own similar experiences during the last (almost) 2 years, especially when the pandemic first started.

The story follows Diana O'Toole and her boyfriend Finch, who is a resident doctor in NYC. It gave me total SLIDING DOORS vibes as it explored how we evolve and change in our decision-making following life-changing events. Through Diana's POV, we get the more emotional side of the pandemic with her struggle between what is right and what is best for her long term. Through Finch, we get the raw and gritty reality of the pandemic as he stands on the frontlines throughout the ordeal.

I really enjoyed the writing - obviously - it's Jodi Picoult, but this is definitely not going to be a story for everyone and might be too soon given current state but it is an important story as I think it really hits on the rainbow of emotions and decisions we have all faced during this unprecedented time. Some aspects of the story will really hit close to home and others will give you a different perspective on what has been a struggling time for everyone.

First of all, thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine books for this eARC in exchange for and honest review.
Wish You Were Here tells the story of Diana who embarks on a solo getaway at the beginning of COVID. This story takes some very interesting and surprising turns, which I did enjoy.
However, I feel that this story was very drawn out. I wanted to start skipping pages just to get to the point. I also did not like Diana for the last 25% of the book. Another con with this book is that there are a lot of Spanish phrases that are never explained. I just felt out of the loop.
This book is very heavy and gives the reader the feeling of reliving the beginning of the pandemic.
I wish I would’ve liked this book more, especially the ending.

Another great story from Jodi Picoult! As one of the first novels I've read that deals with the COVID-19 pandemic, I found this story to be uplifting, engaging, and unpredictable. Highly recommended!

I've never read anything by Picoult before, but I enjoyed the way she thrust us back to March 2020 with all the uncertainty of the pandemic in full force. Diana and her boyfriend Finn, a surgical resident, were about to take off on a two-week vacation to the Galapagos Islands, but Finn was preoccupied at the hospital with incoming COVID-19 cases. After discussing and not wanting to lose out on all that money spent, Diana traveled to the Galapagos herself. And, as soon as she arrived, the island shut down.

Parts of this book felt slow and repetitive, but the plot moved in a completely different direction than I expected...which I think I liked. There was a mixture of heartwarming scenes and harrowing discussions of what COVID was like in a hospital setting. So overall, an enjoyable, timely read.

Wish You Were Here by Jodi Picoult is a standalone novel. We meet our heroine, Diana O’Toole, who is an associate assistant at Sotheby’s, being an art specialist; who is hoping for a promotion if she can convince a legendary artist, to sell her masterpiece at Sotheby’s auction. When the artist decides to hold off, Diana is set to go on a vacation to Galapagos with her doctor boyfriend, Finn. The day before they leave, the hospital has declared an emergency, with all employees to be available, as the Covid virus is beginning to wreak havoc. Finn tells Diana to go anyway, since they cannot get their money back.

Reluctantly, Diana agrees to go, and when she arrives in Galapagos, everything starts to go bad, as she learns the country is going into a quarantine lockdown, and her baggage is missing. Things go from bad to worse, as the hotel she had reservations closes, a language barrier causes problems understanding those she goes to get help, leaving her isolated, and the internet/wifi is spotty. Finally, a local woman offers her a place to stay, and she meets some new people (Beatriz & Gabriel) who in a short time befriend her, and show her the island, and the wonderful sights and animals; she begins to enjoy as much as she can of the island, allowing her to see a different kind of life. Diana manages to send letters to Finn, since they had no other way of communication, and she reads about the heartbreak going on in the early stages of Covid.

Half way through the book, Picoult gives us a twist, bringing in the terrifying details of Covid. We get to see doctors and nurses doing all they can to try and save people’s lives, the suffering and loss of life. The heartbreaking losses, grief, pain, isolation, which shuts down most of the world. To say too much more would be spoilers, and ruin the book for you. You really need to read it all.

Wish You Were Here is an emotional story line that will pull on your emotions. Diana was a fantastic heroine, as we couldn’t help but care about her. Wish You Were Here was so very well written by Jodi Picoult, who takes us on a journey of life, changes, a beautiful island and horrible pandemic.

The first book of fiction I’ve read dealing with covid, having it, being ventilated and rehabbing, existing during quarantine, losing people, including ourselves and the normality of our lives, and re-examining whether our lives continue to suit us. It is a thoughtful contemplative examination despite the context of vivid hallucinations giving the main character an altered reality of existing in a different life. To some extent it reiterates the headlines and reality of year one as we enter an unanticipated third year of covid, but it also gives us what we see today, a world that has a different way of envisioning our former lives.