Engaging and easy to read, but with a serious and topical subject matter. It felt like I was learning without even realising it.

Well this is a good start to 2017! Small Great Things gets 5 stars for two reasons - that I couldn't put it down, and that its such an accurate portrayal, it broke me. There were so many times in this book that I just sat back and went "That is so true!" It was like mind reading; it just got me. Especially the parts about being black but having lighter skin, and people saying "Oh but I don't see YOU as black" after saying something racist - as if separating me from my heritage makes it better?

The book has reinforced my pride of being black - and also the fact that I'm allowed to find things racist if that's what they are, rather than thinking I'm overreacting. The amount of times shop assistants have given me a dirty look and put change down on the countertop rather than in my hand (even if my hand is outstretched!); the looks and comments given after STRANGERS find out that my boyfriend and I are together; friends making black jokes and me having to pretend I don't find it insulting and irritating as hell because society says I'm overreacting. The world is racist, and instead of giving into it, I should actively challenge it. This book gets 5 stars because it has reminded me of who I am.

I have read most of Jodi Picoult's books and found her early ones real page-turners. Then the books started to get a bit samey and I lost interest. I read very favourable reviews for Small Little Things and decided to give it a try. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher I got a copy. Due to a heavy reading schedule I've only just got around to reading it but since the election of Trump in the US the subject is even more relevant to the times we are now living in.
The story revolves around Ruth a black midwife of twenty odd years who is an experienced member of staff and a white supremacist couple whose baby is born in the hospital. The Bauers don't want Ruth anywhere near them or their baby and the hospital don't do anything to back Ruth up.
When an understaffed department has an emergency Ruth is left with the Bauers baby who is recuperating from a surgical procedure. When the baby dies the parents blame Ruth and want her to be charged with his murder. Now the story is in classic Picoult territory with a dramatic court case full of twists and turns.
The book explores what it's like to be a person of colour in the world today, how the justice system seems to be biased towards white people and the sense of helplessness that Ruth feels as she is abandoned by all her colleagues.
The book is not all gloom though and though the white supremacists are loathsome not everyone is beyond redemption.
All in all Jodi Picoult back at her very best form.

This book comes at a time when Racism and intolerance seem to be very prevalent in the news, thanks to certain events of the past few months. So this book is somewhat timely and touches on issues which challenge us and need debating. As usual for Jodie Picoult the book it is set out and told in a familiar pattern, but she is such a great storyteller that I never mind that. The characters are complex and the case is not a clear cut one, and although the reader is naturally drawn to sympathise with Ruth you do still question if all her actions were correct. And yes even though Turks views are repugnant he is a compelling character who is consumed by grief, and determined to 'do right by his son'. The twist in the tale has profound effects on all the characters, but for Turk it sets him on a different, hopefully, better path than the one he was on previously

Well to be totally honest I have no clue really what to say. This is a book like no other I have read before.

Told from the perspective of three very different characters, Small Great Things centres around the topic of racism in America. Ruth Jefferson is a skilled labour and delivery nurse with over 20 years experience, Turk Beaur a white supremacist and new father and Kennedy McQuarrie a public defender who is white and classes herself as colour blind. Each character brings a very different perspective to the story, particularly Turk’s which at some points were very difficult to read.

I’m not going to hash out the story in this review as there are so many reviews out there already and I don’t want to give any spoilers away. What I will say is that Picoult has written a story that is heart breaking, emotional and very topical. Its clear that there was a lot of research done on the subject and its written in a passionate way but this isn’t an easy read what so ever, at some points I felt totally disgusted and had to set my kindle down and walk away for a few minutes. This isn’t a bad thing though and If anything it made more intrigued in the story.

Small Great Things is a thought provoking book that I highly recommend and I think everyone should read it as its not just a story its a lesson and one many can take something away from.

What a powerful and enjoyable book. It depicts racism at its finest and is a sad read. It kept me up half the night and a few after it finished too trying to figure out bits I'd came across and couldn't understand. Really made you think. A great book that I think everyone should read and think about!

Wow what a great book with some hard hitting messages. It focuses on racial discrimination and is told from three different perspectives. Each person telling their own side of events with their own slant, thoughts and feelings.

It really made me take a step back and think about my own actions and words and how these could easily be misconstrued. It definitely leaves you with food for thought that will continue to go through your head long after you finish this book.

what an emotional rollercoaster - I defy anyone to put this book down

This book started slowly for me but gradually grabbed my attention. It was very enlightening and very thought provoking about the attitudes to race in the USA.

Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult is a contemporary tale of racial injustice, hate and love. It is ordinary people just trying to do their jobs and making a difference in the world. "I'll make the money... you make the difference." I loved the book. I have yet to read a book by Jodi Picoult that I do not like. She always writes cracking stories, always with an unexpected ending that I never see coming, even though I know there will be some sort of twist!
Americans fought the civil rights battles in the 1950's and 60's but much to my sadness, the war still rages on today in some people's heads. Jodi Picoult portrays this racial prejudice that haunts some sections of American society. "The only race that matters is the human race." She shows the need to open one's eyes to the racial injustices that still exist in this world. We are to spread the message of love not hate. The calm, professional attitude of the midwife is sharply contrasted with the hot headed white supremacists in the book. "Anger... is a renewable source of fuel."
The novel is told in the third person from three different viewpoints. The reader can empathise with two of the voices but the third just made my blood boil. It reveals what an excellent writer Jodi Picoult is to get such a strong emotive reaction from her reader.
There is the theme of love. Love bonds are not easily broken and can motivate people to do both good and evil.
The theme of isolation is also present. Even God feels far away and one wonders if He is listening or even seeing what is happening. "God, please be listening."
Small Great Things should not be a comfortable read. It should make you squirm. It will make you wonder about the world today but it will also give you hope. Hope that the next generation will open their eyes and finally see and will "treat them [people]... based on their individual merits as human beings, and not on their skin tone."
A powerful read.
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.

I started reading this book the week before Christmas but had to stop for a couple of weeks as I found the subject matter was hard to cope with mentally over the period festivities when I wanted to read something lighter.

But having read a few Jodi Picoult novels I wanted to persevere no matter how challenging I found the subject matter as while her books are rarely relaxing reads they are always gripping and have you thinking on the subject matter for a long time after you’ve finished the book. This book was certainly no exception. I finished it a week ago but am still talking about it to friends and waiting for them to read it so I can discuss it more.

I am slightly nervous even writing about the plot in case I use the wrong language and offend someone as I’m of an age where I’ve seen so many changes in accepted language to describe people with differing colours of skin that I struggle to know what language is acceptable in 2017 and what isn’t.

The book starts with a Ruth Jefferson, a maternity nurse of African American background, looking after babies in a hospital where’s she’s been working for over 20 years. Ruth is widowed after losing her husband on his second tour of duty in Afghanistan and is bringing up their 17 year old son, Edison, on her own. One of the babies being cared for in Ruth’s team is the newborn daughter of a White Supremacist couple. After Ruth does routine checks on the newborn she arrives for her next shift to find a Post-It Note on the baby’s folder saying “NO AFRICAN AMERICAN PERSONNEL TO CARE FOR THIS PATIENT”.

A day or so later Ruth is left in a room with the baby girl as her colleagues all go to an emergency but then the baby stops breathing. Ruth is in a dilemma as to whether to disobey orders to not touch the child or to try and save the baby’s life but risk her job. The rest of the book follows the many consequences on the lives of so many people after this medical emergency and the way it was handled.

Jodi Picoult’s writing is always very clear with the reader feeling part of the action but without superfluous prose. It feels like every word adds clarity to the story. The story is told from three viewpoints – that of Ruth herself, of Kennedy McQuarrie – public defender for Ruth and of Turk Bauer – the deceased baby’s father. It is clear that Jodi Picoult has done a lot of research before writing this and has spoken to a lot of people in similar situations – both Ruth’s and the White Supremacists’. I found it very hard to read at time while imagining myself as a person with dark skin and understanding the subtle, and not so subtle, discrimination they face each and every day.

I did have to look some things up as I read – usually medical terms or legal terms but sometimes general words that are maybe common in the USA which as a Brit I did not know. I read on a Kindle and I always enjoy having to look such things up as a) it’s very easy on a Kindle and b) I feel like I’ve learned something new which adds to the overall enjoyment of the book.

This book has had a lasting impression on me and I hope will continue to do so in months and years to come – in a positive way. It was slightly ironic that I finished this book the day of Donald Trump’s inauguration and indeed that Jodi Picoult is publishing it at this time.

A really interesting book for the present times, no punches pulled. Worked really well with the different voices giving their viewpoints,. I was horrified, embarrassed, rooting for the right outcome, interested all the way through. Just felt a little let down by the end, knew there would be a twist as there always is with Jodi Picoult, but found it a little unbelievable. However liked the hope at the end.

I wanted to love it but I felt rather like I was being lectured. I loved Jodi Picoult's early work but more recently not so much. You cannot fault her research ever and this book is no exception but the characters seemed just over the top and the same with some of the things that happened they simply did not ring true.

You won’t find any spoilers here…if you’re looking for that you can just move on by…ha!

Honestly, you won’t find much at all here…there simply aren’t words enough that I can say to make you understand how much I loved this novel.

What’s more, there are no words for just how much this book resonated with me. The truths that lie within, that we all know, but refuse to accept as truths…just because we know they are wrong…or we choose to believe that they have nothing to do with us and are in no way, shape, or form our fault.

I don’t want to say Picoult was brave in the writing of this novel. However, that’s just not true…it’s not how we should look at the writing of this novel. This was the right thing to do. The elephant in the room needs to be acknowledged….I hope that this novel is the start of things to come….

Equity…

Read this book…Recommend this book…Buy a copy of this book and give it to a stranger…But most of all….Discuss this book with as many people as you can…

Until next time…
Urania xx

ARC provided by Netgalley for an honest review

Another amazing, thought provoking read from my favourite author, Jodi Picoult.
I was surprised by the white supremacy storyline as I have never read anything like this, but adored the way the interwoven story came together.
Truly fascinating story and another classic.

My thanks to the Publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest review. I couldn't believe my eyes when I spotted a Jodi Picoult book on NetGalley available for review and I was even more gobsmacked when my request to read it was accepted.

I really liked the story and gave it a 4.5 star or 9/10. This story hopefully will stand the test of time and become a modern day story to match To Kill a Mockingbird. I can see the two stories being used to compare the way that racism in the 20th & 21st Centuries was handled by literature and society.

At the heart of the story is the topic of racism, prejudice and bigotry that personally I felt was handled extremely well and sympathetically, it is a very thought provoking read and is a perfect read for reading groups as there is so much that can be discussed within the pages.

How would we cope, if our ability to do our job was called into question because of our skin colour and the fact that our skin colour was in any way offensive to others, offending them enough to ask for us to be restricted from doing our job to our full ability.

Ruth, is an African American obstetric nurse with vast experience. Sadly, to some people her skin colour matters more to them than any amount of experience ever can. The parents of a newborn baby, ask that she doesn't take any part in the care of their child. They are white supremacists and as such have a dislike of the colour of her skin.

As the baby takes a turn for the worse while she is alone in the nursery tending other babies, Ruth is left with a dilemma on her hands. Does she ignore their wishes or does she do what any nurse would and offer the life saving care that may be needed?

This is such a powerful read, her actions lead to a legal case ensuing and just like in To Kill a Mockingbird, her legal counsel is a white public defender. As Ruth and her legal counsel have conflicting views as to how the defence case should move forward, they both have tough decisions to make and must learn to trust the judgement of each other.

All I can advise is that you READ this book, regardless of whether you're a fan of Jodi Picoult or not.

Jodi is one of my favourite authors. Love reading her books . Nice read and easy to follow story line. Look forward to reading more from this author.