SheReads La Crosse, WI, USA

This novel made me laugh out loud. I started listening to it and just couldn't put it down, so I picked up the hard copy. This author also wrote Feeling Sorry for Celia which is about the same high schools, but the characters and story is completely different. The only thing the same is the humor (this one is better) and premise of two high school corresponding with each other via a pen pal program.I would recommend this to anyone who needs a good a laugh with a light hearted mystery. I think the audio version is outstanding. The various narrators and their Australian accents definately make it well worth listening too.

I think this book is very well written and brings-up some great issues, however, it didn't hold my interest. I think I would definately generate some discussion.Quotesp. 185 [Annabelle's thinking]I was sipping my coffee, content to be alive. Content, for now, to be a part of something.I think this statement is huge. It shows a huge shift in Annabelles thinking.

**Spoiler**
There seem to be a lot of characters to keep straight. Again Meltzer reminds me of Grisham, but he gets more into the politics of things rather than the law of it. This might appeal to a younger audience because one of the main characters is 17-years-old. I was disappointed that one of the main characters gets killed off right away, however the twists and turns keep coming. In the end you don't know what happens to the two main characters that do survive and that is disappointing. Is Meltzer thinking of a sequel, I wonder? I will definately be picking-up Meltzer's next novel.

I enjoyed this book. It was a book where you can't help but like the main character even though she hasn't made the best decisions in her life. I think it would be a good discussion book. I think students would be drawn in by the topic and not even realize that it may challenge their belief systems or reinforce what they already believe.

I enjoyed reading this book, however, it wasn't a book that I couldn't put down. It was good enough to finish, but not good enough to rave about. I really like the message it sent of survival even after you have faced some huge challenges. Discussion Questions1. Where were you and what were you doing when the planes hit the World Trade Center?2. Do you know anyone whos directly impacted by the terrorist attacks?3. Why is the title The Usual Rules?Quotesp.255 "It's understandable that your brother would be having a rough time, Alan said. And you, too. Who's to say what normal behavior is in a situation like that? The usual rules don't apply."~Two things about this quote, first I think it gives meaning to the title and makes the reader think about what and why "the usual rules" exist. Secondly, throughout this book when someone is talking no quotation marks are used. Why would the author choose to do this way, hmmmm. I'm not really sure and think that might be another good discussion point.p.310 "How can it be, Wendy asked Alan, that you'll be reading this story that's so sad, it almost h urts to look at the words on the page? What happens to the character practically tears your stomach out--and then the book is over. And the first thing you want to do is find another book like that.Sometimes it's almost a good feeling, hurting that way, he said. That's what the blues is all about."~I think this quote says so much about reading in general, sad or happy.

The copy I own is signed by the author Jodi Picoult! I saw Jodi speak on March 23, 2005. I enjoyed hearing her speak. It was so refreshing and interesting to hear her thoughts on how her books turned out and what prompted her to write what she did.Vanishing Acts is good, but it definately isn't my favorite of her novels. I can't imagine finding out that the only parent you know actually kidnapped you when you were 3 or 4 years-old. Picoult again used the method of telling the stories from different perspectives. Each chapter was told from 1 of 4 perspectives--Delia, the girl who was kidnapped and now 30-something with her own daughter; Eric, her alcoholic fiancee and the father of her daughter; Fitz, the friend of both Eric and Delia Fitz has been in love with Delia for always; and Andrew, Delia's father who took her away from her mother.You can tell the research Picoult does for her novels. Everything seems so real and realistic.