Nineteen Minutes Review

A recent book I have read and would recommend is Nineteen Seconds by Jodi Picoult. Picoult writes about controversial subjects such as suicide, and Nineteen Seconds is no different as it is about a teenager named Peter shooting and killing people at his high school. Although it was published before the Virginia Tech tragedy, there are similarities. Peter is a social outcast who is teased from the time he starts school. Josie is his best friend when they are younger, but when she wants to be popular in middle school, she joins the cool group and leaves Peter behind. Ultimately, Peter starts to unravel and involves Josie in his violence. The book is from different perspectives such as Peter, Josie, Peter's mother, and Josie's mother. It is interesting to see the different perspecitives especially Peter's parents as the parents of the shooter are often a mystery. Although the subject matter is difficult, it is a thought-provoking book that is hard to put down.