Hello hello everyone. It’s been a crazy two weeks. Festival times are sheer madness what with the children being home for a break. Plus I am in the middle of editing a novel which took up every free moment of my time. All of that translated into a forced blogging break. However I wouldn’t miss an edition of #BookBytes since I do so enjoy doing it.
Here I am then, with a quote I loved from a book I loved too – My Sister’s Keeper by Jodi Picoult. I’d heard a lot about the author and I was eager to read her. The first book I picked up by sheer chance turned out to be Between the Lines, one she co-wrote with her daughter. I just wasn’t impressed – it was too much of a tween thing.
And then I chanced upon My Sister’s Keeper and that’s when I realised why people rave about Jodi Picoult. If you haven’t read it, I’d say give it a shot.
Here’s a quote I loved:
“Life sometimes gets so bogged down in the details, you forget you are living it. There is always another appointment to be met, another bill to pay, another symptom presenting, another uneventful day to be notched onto the wooden wall. We have synchronized our watches, studied our calendars, existed in minutes, and completely forgotten to step back and see what we’ve accomplished.”
– Jodi Picoult, My Sister’s Keeper
I loved the quote because it is so much a reflection of how most of us lead our lives these days. Of course the context in the book was more serious but the thought is universal. It certainly applies to me. Sometimes I get too wrapped up in the nitty-gritties of life, too bogged down by the daily struggles to revel in the happiness of what I’ve already achieved.
It’s good to step back and look at things sometimes, to count one’s achievements, to bask in one’s success however small – whether it is always being able to meet deadlines at work or keep a blog up and running, or even running a home smoothly – God knows that needs such consistent effort.
So Stop.
For one small moment.
Think of something you accomplished .
And feel good about it.
Do share with me what it was that made you feel good recently, something that you forgot to congratulate yourself for.
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If you stumble upon a quote, a line (or two) or even a passage from a book that leaps out at you demanding to be shared join in with #BookBytes.

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That’s a good, thoughtful quote. I haven’t read this book but I have read ‘House Rules’, which I liked even though I thought it was a little misleading. Adding this one to my TBR list {or maybe it’s already on my TBR. It’s so popular}.
And this time, I’m going to do this on my blog. And oh you edit novels!
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I haven’t read any Jodi Picoult other than the two I mentioned and this one had such a unique subject I loved it. There’s a film too on it which I’ve just not found the time to watch though I’ve opened it many times then shut it down because.. you know.. Time. :-).
Would love to have you join in. We come across so many wonderful quotes and I see you sharing them on Twitter. It’s fun to delve a little deeper and talk about why the quote spoke to you,
Yes – I edit novels!
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Oh I love Jodi Picoult!
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I still need to read more of her, but I did love this one.
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I just read Corinne’s post and its somewhat similar in thought to your post Tulika. Yes we all need to pause and look up to enjoy life as its meant to be enjoyed.
I love the movie made out of this book- have you seen it? Stellar performances and great narration. You must if you havent.
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I still have to get to the film. It’s on my To-Watch list.
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If you have just started reading Jodi Picoult, try ‘Nineteen Minutes’ next. According to me that’s her best work and that will give you enough quotes for quite a number of Bookbytes.
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Okay, Nineteen Minutes. Haven’t read that one.
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Look forward to your novel. A great share here about pausing to admire and enjoy your fruits of labor instead of worrying and hurrying along the path of life. Little victories matter and help in the long run. Love Jodi Picoult, have read a couple of her books. This movie is good too.
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Hey thanks for dropping by Sulekha. Need to get to other books by Jodi Picoult as also the film.
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