Sterling is an ordinary New Hampshire town where nothing ever happens – until the day its complacency is shattered by an act of violence. Josie Cormier, the teenage daughter of the judge sitting on the case, should be the state’s best witness, but she can’t remember what happened before her very own eyes – or can she? As the trial progresses, fault lines between the high school and the adult community begin to show, destroying the closest of friendships and families.

Most book bloggers will tell you that they devour multiple books a week. Many of the books, although enjoyable, will eventually fade with time and when asked by others about whether they read them or not they will say “oh I remember reading it and liking it but I don’t remember the details”.

That’s where Jodi Picoult books differ. I have read, reviewed, and recommended many many many books by Jodi Picoult and I remember them all in detail! Nineteen minutes was no exception.

This story will leave you breathless. You will no doubt begin with preconceived notions just from reading the summary. Readers will begin with a set of judgements as they begin applying their own background knowledge about school shootings. If you are a parent, you will have an entirely unique set of preconceived notions.

The same applies to being a teacher, a gun owner, a victim of bullying, a bully, or anyone else otherwise. Your experience in life will depend on the different perspectives we all have as readers. This is a story that will no doubt alter your life. It will alter the way you ever thought about the topic of school shootings.

Jodi Picoult is an absolute genius when it comes to weaving stories about serious issues, real life problems, and sensitive topics into a story that will change your life! What I love lost about this book is the way she made me think about this issue from so many different perspectives. This was truly a story that was difficult to read but so very important. I absolutely loved it!

Jodi Picoult is the author of twenty five internationally bestselling novels, including MY SISTER’S KEEPER, HOUSE RULES and SMALL GREAT THINGS, and has also co-written two YA books with her daughter Samantha van Leer, BETWEEN THE LINES and OFF THE PAGE. She lives in New Hampshire with her husband and three children.  

Her most recent adult novel, A SPARK OF LIGHT first published in the UK on 30th October 2018, and was a #1 Sunday Times and New York Times bestseller.