Jodi Picoult's latest book, Wish You Were Here, tackles a very timely and still prominent story in the news that continues to infect our lifestyles, the COVID 19 pandemic. Sotheby's art historian, Diana, plans a trip to the Galapagos Island with her surgeon boyfriend Finn. Due to the onset of the pandemic, Finn must stay behind to care for the growing population of COVID sufferers. Diana goes on the trip, anyway. When she returns, nothing seems the same including her own perspective and hopes for the future.

I found this a good yet flawed story. Usually, the author puts forth all sides, but I didn't feel this story covered all that arose from this entire pandemic. Despite this, the writing is beautiful, especially the passages about the Galapagos Island. I never held any desire to go there--I'm ashamed that I didn't even realize that it was off the coast of Ecuador.

Some readers may find that it's too soon to read or muse about COVID and its impact on daily life. We're still living through it. At times, it brought up all the old anxiety about the virus, which could be unsettling. I imagine that as prolific as the author is that the story erupted out of her, whether she wanted to or not. She does a good job for the most part.

Unfortunately, I really did not like the main character who seemed very selfish and not understanding of her boyfriend who was beyond exhausted. I have to say that his character, feelings, and actions were captured so well, and I felt for him way more than Diana. I feel like she needed to give him a break, be there for him, and communicate her feelings to him instead of seemingly acting like he didn't care and not explaining herself to him. She was so hard on him when I really think he deserved understanding and empathy.

I cannot say that I didn't enjoy the book, though. Many surprises arise in the book, but some stories and characters I didn't love. And I was troubled by her relationship with her mother who was in a memory care facility with dementia. My mom was in a similar place and also had dementia before she passed away, and I felt some of that plot did not ring true.

Honestly, some readers will love this book, so I think you should try it out for yourself. I believe, like the pandemic, it will hit you in a way that may not reflect what others experience. It does provide a lot of food for thought and is well-done.

This is the best book I’ve read this year. I could not put it down. I felt a little reluctant to read it because I didn’t really want to revisit March of 2020, but it felt cathartic. Diana was a great main character who was flawed but I was rooting for her. I loved a bunch of the secondary characters as well. I don’t want to go too into detail here because I don’t want to give even any hints of spoilers, but I was with Diana for the entire book and I felt like her character development felt accurate for how many people’s lives and outlook on their life have been affected by Covid, regardless of how Covid touched their lives.

This book was well written and you can tell a lot of research went into it. It transported me to the Galapagos where the beaches were crystal clear. It also transported me to New York, smack dab in the middle of it all.

With that said, it also too realistic. It reminded me of how it was during the height of the pandemic, when life went to a screeching halt. When schools and businesses shut down and we had no idea what was happening. The feeling of uncertainly is not one I’d like to repeat and this book brought me back there.

If you’re looking for a light read, this is definitely not it. It’s raw and it’s heavy. I think if I had read this a few years down the road, when all of this is behind us, I would have appreciated it more. But as of right now, it’s just a sad reminder.

This may very well be the hardest book review I’ve ever written because I can’t adequately express what I think without spoiling the story. I was pretty blindsided by the twist midway, but eventually came to appreciate the overall message of the story. that. I also think that this book will serve as an important record of what we’ve all just been through in terms of the pandemic, but it sat a touch too heavy for me at the moment. That didn’t detract too much from the story overall, though, and I appreciated the context provided in the author’s note.

Waiting out COVID-19 from the Galapagos

Diana O'Toole has always been a planner. She has serious life dreams, and she is steadily making progress. Her career is promising, and she has a hunky doctor boyfriend. She even has a travel list, and she is planning on visiting the Galapagos Islands. Timing isn't always ideal, and the pandemic breaks out just as she lands in the Galapagos. What will Diana learn about herself from this time? How much of life should be planned?

The first half of this book was dynamite, definitely 5-stars. It was incredibly engaging, and it would cut from times in the Galapagos to back to certain time periods of Diana's life. I had a ball looking up the different animals from the Galapagos and all different pictures of the islands. The second half of the book was extremely slow paced and felt like running through sand. It was far too long. I would rate the last half of the book two or maybe three stars.

There is a twist that I never saw coming which was pretty delightful. I'm definitely looking for more from Jodi Picoult!

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine books for an ARC in an exchange for an honest review.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I didn’t think I was ready for a book written about the pandemic while we’re still living through it. After hearing so much positive feedback, I decided to just go for it and I’m glad I did. This novel starts off really beautifully and instantly grabbed my attention. Jodi Picoult has a way of captivating her audience with her beautiful writing style and in-depth subject knowledge. Nearly halfway through the book there is a huge twist in the plot that leaves the reader in awe. I found myself turning pages more quickly during the first half than I did the latter, but she really did tie this one up nicely. This book is pretty heavy, so if you’ve been directly impacted by COVID-19 or you are just seeking a lighter read, this may not be the book for you. I really did love this one though and I will be recommending this one to all my book loving friends and family.

Wish You Were Here is out November 30, 2021

I honestly don’t even know how to write this review. Jodi Picoult is one of my favorite writers of all time. This new book, Wish You Were Here, is all about Covid. While her writing and research is top notch, as always, the subject matter was just to raw to be enjoyable. This wasn’t a book that I could escape into, rather it was one that kept reminding me of the difficult times we have gone through and are still going through.

I am a super fan of Jodi Picoult. I have read everything she has ever written but I was concerned about reading a book about Covid-19 when we are still dealing with it. But I knew Jodi will write it with grace as she has done with so many difficult topics in the past.
Jodi was able to really capture the real emotions of the isolation that the pandemic gave. Her author notes kept the tears falling down my face as I finished this amazing book. This book was oddly very therapeutic for me and shines a light on the good of people.

I thought I could not read another Jodie Picoult better than Leaving Time and Small Great Things, my two favorite books! Each one of these books left something with me, that I didn’t feel could be duplicated.
When I received Wish You We’re Here for review, I was so burned out on COVID, isolation, masks, fear and the loneliness of not seeing my family, despite them living 3 miles away. Since my daughter in law and granddaughter both work in high risk jobs, and my son’s fear of them bringing it home, and eventually to me, our contact was minimal. The holidays was dinner dropped off at the door, my birthday, flowers left at the door and one day I realized I hadn’t felt the touch of another human, other than a doctor or nurse on a ER visit,min over a year.mMy sanity survived via my feisty rescue, Sadie, that requires me to walk her many times a day and constantly is looking for cuddles and hugs. And it’s been two years since I’ve seen my daughter and her family in Italy. They can’t travel here, and I can go there.
So it’s no surprise that the prospect of reading a novel dealing with COVID, wasn’t high on my TBR list. I didn’t watch favorite TV shows, once they wrote COVID into their scripts.
But Picoult’s latest work, truly is a beautiful story, despite the graphic details of the pain and agony of victims and the exhaustingly long shifts and the trauma, related by healthcare workers. I have my former co-workers that vent to the retired RN, as they attempted to lure me back to the trenches. Although I feel terribly guilty not to be with them, it would probably kill me.
The research done to describe Finn’s grueling days working on a COVID ICU are impeccable, the detail, emotion, physical demands, are so good. Diana’s rehab stay, accurately describes the pain and exhaustion of recovery, after a devastating illness. And the changes she experiences in her life and what’s important, is what many survivors of catastrophic life changes describe.
The coma induced Galapagos adventure was so realistic, I still believe she was there, somehow. It was an interesting phenomenon that has also been told to me by NDE patients, though not as detailed and lengthy.
I am so grateful to have received this ARC and my thanks to NetGalley, Random House Books, and Jodie Picoult for this marvelous, five star read. All opinions are my own. This is a story you will carry with you, because it is that good!

**No Spoilers**

Diana's life is going perfectly according to plan. She works her dream job at Sotheby's and lives in Manhattan with her surgeon boyfriend Finn, who is planning to propose on their exotic, bucket-list vacation to the Galápagos Islands. But the night before they're set to leave, COVID-19 hits NYC, and Finn is called to the hospital to help with the expected surge of patients. He urges Diana to go on their trip by herself, and she does -- everyone's saying the virus will be gone in a couple of weeks, anyway. But by the time she arrives on Isabela Island, COVID has shut down tourism entirely and Diana finds herself stuck on an island in lockdown, completely adrift in her life for the first time.

Picoult is masterful at combining textured characters with insightful metaphors, meticulous research, and thought-provoking moral questions, and Wish You Were Here is no exception. Exploring themes of memory and identity, adaptability and consciousness, this is her best book since 2016's Small Great Things.

Reading Wish You Were Here was both a triggering experience and a therapeutic one. COVID is central to the entire plot of this novel and is still, obviously, our current reality. Picoult absolutely nails those first days and weeks of the pandemic: the surreality and uncertainty, the fear and panic. It's a time period I never want to revisit, but at the same time, reading about those frightening days, weeks, and months made me realize how far we've come back to "normal" since then, and that was comforting. There have been a lot of books written about COVID-19, and there will be a lot more, but Picoult's tackles the human experience of the pandemic in a way that is heartfelt and profound. This novel doesn't look away from the harsh, sad realities of the pandemic, but its tone also feels gentle and loving.

Wish You Were Here is definitely going to resonate with a universal audience. Thank you to Ballantine Books and NetGalley for my digital copy in exchange for an honest review.

I wasn't sure I was ready for a Covid book, but I was excited to see where Picoult took this book. I was initially drawn in to the world of the Galapagos as it felt so close to the pandemic, but yet so far away at the same time. However, when the book pivoted with Picoult's typical surprises, i found myself less interested and just ready for it to be over--- just like the pandemic itself. Maybe with time, I'll be ready for a Covid related read, but this is definitely not that point.

I did not know if I was ready for this book. I recently read a book about a fictional pandemic, though, and that one was actually a more anxious reading experience than reading this one. Readers are in gentle hands with Jodi Picoult in this book, though experiences will of course vary and readers will have to decide for themselves if they are in a place for this book. The first half of this story is a bit slower moving than the rest of the book, but when that changes, it changes dramatically. Like several of Picoult's more recent books, this is a story that is creatively told and a bit more internal. It worked well for me.

I tried so hard but I just couldn't get into this book. Maybe it was because I was looking for something completely different and I am so tired of hearing about Covid. Going to look for a lighter book. I have always Loved Jodi Picoult and look forward to her next book.

I have read Picoult for almost two decades and her ability to take current issues and make them palatable to everyone is incredible. She has a league of her own in this way, and her writing packs a punch. This story captivated me from the very beginning and it reads so smoothly and cohesive that I couldn't put it down. I enjoyed her character development and I was able to relate to the emotions of the protagonist. I will recommend!

I was unsure if I wanted to read a book centering around Covid 19 right now. Being a big Jodi Picoult fan I decided to read it and give it a try.

I really enjoyed this book. The character of Diana is someone that I can commiserate with. She and her boyfriend, Finn, have been saving up to go to the Galápagos—days before her thirtieth birthday. She is hoping that he is going to purpose on the trip.

The virus that felt worlds away has appeared in the city, and on the eve of their departure, Finn breaks the news: It’s all hands on deck at the hospital. He has to stay behind. You should still go, he assures her, since it would be a shame for all of their nonrefundable trip to go to waste. And so, reluctantly, she goes. Everything goes wrong from there.

I was shocked at one point in the book and enjoyed the twist in the story. I felt for Finn as someone on the healthcare front lines. I felt for the characters who had covid and the characters who suffered loss. This book really touched me and I want to read it again. Please give us a follow up!!

Story that relates so closely to the reality of many. What happens when we are pushed beyond our comfort zone? What happens when we leave people we love behind? Kept me reading until I learned every detail these characters had to offer me!

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Publishing for an advanced copy of this book!

The list of authors that could get me to read a pandemic-themed book at this point in time (or really ever) is very short. Jodi Picoult is on that list, but I still have some unresolved feelings about the fact that this book was written/published whilst we were/are still very much in the depths of the pandemic.

That being said, this is Jodi Picoult at her finest. Incredibly well-written and thoroughly researched, I devoured this in a day. It is kind of eerie to revisit those first days of the pandemic and relive the horrors through Diana’s partner, Finn’s recounting. Picoult paints a beautiful picture of Ecuador and Diana’s time there. I also thought the art storyline was really interesting, and this paired with the pandemic aspect reminded me a lot of Rebecca Makkai’s Great Believers.

In true Jodi Picoult fashion, there is a pivot in the plot that I maybe should have seen coming, but the writing of this story is so easy to get lost in. Make sure to read the author’s note to really get a sense of Picoult’s writing and research process. This is a sensitive topic but I felt she really handled it with care (no pun intended).

March 13, 2020 - where were you?

Jodi Picoult's Wish You Were Here tackles COVID-19 and how a couple in NYC experience the pandemic in very different ways. She has realistically captured the emotions, the isolation and the reality of surviving the virus. Their choices will haunt your every thought and give you hope for the human spirit.

OH BOY I have a book hangover. And, don't skip the authors notes. She shares not only her personal struggles during the lockdown but her research into developing the storyline.

Thank you Random House Publishing Group and NetGalley for the complimentary copy. #WishYouWereHere #NetGalley

When you’re young, we are asked “What do you want to be when you grow up?” For twenty-nine-year-old Diana O’Toole, she had everything planned out. She wanted to be on a secure path in her career, be married by thirty, and to be finished having children by thirty-five. She is an associate specialist at Sotheby’s. She has known and loved art since she was a child. Her father was a conservator that helped in restoring the zodiac ceiling on the main hall of the Grand Central Terminal and restored other works of art at museums in places such as Los Angeles, Florence, and Fontainebleau.

For Diana, everything seems to be perfectly on the right track. She has a possible promotion in her future as she is currently working with a very high-profile client. Diana and her boyfriend Finn Colson, who is a surgical resident at New York Presbyterian, are getting ready to leave on a romantic vacation to the Galapagos Islands and Diana knows that he is about to propose. The day before Diana and Finn are to leave on vacation, a deadly virus starts to overrun the city that is spreading through-out the world, and her “scheduled life plan” appears to start coming unraveled.

Diana’s high-profile client decides to wait on their project due to the virus. Finn must break the news to Diana that the hospital needs all hands-on deck and that he can’t go to the Galapagos Islands. He encourages her to still go as she will be in a place where he won’t worry about her and that he won’t possibly bring anything home to her from the hospital. Hesitatingly, she goes without him.

As with her scheduled life plan, everything with her trip to the Galapagos seems to be going wrong. Her luggage gets lost, the island is locked down and quarantined due to the virus that is now a world pandemic, the wi-fi is basically nonexistent leaving her feeling isolated, and the hotel she reserved for their trip is also shut down because of the pandemic. She is stranded on the island until the quarantine is lifted and they open the borders.

As Diana tries to cope with feeling isolated, she must ease out of her safe haven and comfort zone and adapt to what is going on around her. Diana is able to bond with a local family as she connects with a teenager named Beatriz that is hiding a secret and opens up to Diana. Beatriz’s father Gabriel, however, is skeptical and guarded when it comes to outsiders.

As we see Diana explore her inner self through out her time on the island, assesses her goals, plans, relationships, and choices, she will grow and discover a part of herself that is completely different than the person before she left, not knowing when she will go home.

The story of Diana gives us a view of how the pandemic affected others and a view of things we may have heard about, didn’t see, or realize. It’s a heartfelt story of discovering oneself and finding the strength within ourselves that we didn’t know we had. Jodi Picoult has a way of writing that touches the human heart, spirit, and soul.

As with all her books, this is so thoroughly researched, and everyone has been touched by COVID in some way in their lives. The story touches on losing loved ones, lockdowns, heartbreaks, isolation, loneliness, depression, anxiety, pain, and everything else we have experienced as a nation because of this atrocious virus. This is one of the most extraordinary and best works of Jodi’s that I have read as I found it captivating, and there is a twist thrown into the story that you don’t see coming. It is emotional, soul searching, and will resonate with everyone that reads it. We all find ourselves at some point in our lives second guessing our life choices and decisions, what we have planned for the future, and having to make some tough decisions that may hurt those we care about. We also may find that we have a strength and determination that we didn’t realize we had because of situations like this horrible virus.

This story shows how resilient we are and that we can love and live life. This is a must read for all. If you have never read a Jodi Picoult novel before, this is an excellent one to start with. Thank you NetGalley, Random House Publishing, Ballantine Books, and Jodi Picoult for this Advanced Reader’s Copy in exchange for this honest review. #WishYouWereHere #NetGalley #JodiPicoult #WomensFiction #AdultFiction

Thanks to Ballantine Books for an advanced copy of Wish You Were Here. I've been a big Jodi Piccoult fan since high school and her books always make you think. They always have more to them then and honestly if it wasn't a Jodi Piccoult book I wouldn't have read a book where COVID-19 is the such a huge part of the book. It definitely takes you back to March/April 2020 when reading.

I liked, but I didn't like this book at the same time. I couldn't put the book down, yet at the same time I found Diana so self-absorbed and selfish. This is going to be hard to talk about without giving away what happens in the book, but it almost felt like 2 different books. I loved the details on the art world (but the weird fake Yoko Ono storyline was just weird). I loved the descriptions of the Galapagos and how the theory of evolution was weaved into it. The emails and postcards between Diana and her boyfriend..

I'm having a hard time describing my thought on this book, but I feel it's one you either absolutely love or it missed the mark and for me it's more on the miss side.