Am I My Sister's Keeper?

Jodi Picoult's My Sister's Keeper is the kind of book that will make you stare at the last page for a long time like every inch of surprise have been knocked out of you.

I read lots of mystery, government/ CIA/ secret service/law involvement, action thrilling books. Halfway through the book I will find myself feeling like Nancy Drew trying to solve cases or guess the whys of the story even before the characters do. By the end of the book, I would close it with either an I-told-you-so little laugh or a heavy, but good, sigh for all the (country-going-to-war-worth) secrets that were uncovered when all the agent wanted to know was whether the nerd committed suicide or not.

MYS on the other hand is none of that. The ending was not something anyone could have expected or guessed. I was in an emotional rut when I was reading the book, so every now and then I would have to close the book to stop tears. I wouldn't want the person in the next couch in starbucks think I'm a wacko who gets teary-eyed over a cup of coffee, ayt?

The book was narrated from different points of view. The narration would shift from one character to the other. Each gets to say their take in the situation hence they all grow on you. As a reader, you would think that you can provide a solution, an equation, a black and white answer to every dilemma but you'll find yourself even more lost than the characters are. You wouldn't even consider picturing yourself in their shoes. Should Anna donate her kidney to Kate and put their lives both at risk when Kate is at the verge of dying anyway? If Sara just learned to let go years before, Jesse wouldn't be that screwed up teenager that he is and Anna wouldn't feel like she just exists so her sister could live. It was wise of Anna to file a lawsuit against her parents.

It wouldn't also make you feel relieved that your family is not stuck in the sticky situation the Fitzgeralds are. Instead, you will find yourself thinking of your own family and how at one point or another you could relate to the Fitzgeralds.

I like Anna's part best. It's like reading all the things you wished you have thought. She's the perfect 13-year old. One who thinks she knows what she wants and can make it on her own but would also curl up in the embrace of her parents. I don't think we ever grow out of that stage. Even at 22, there are times when I find myself at a lost and the only place I want to be is home with my mom and dad telling me what I should do.

I'm not gonna spoil the ending for those who haven't read the book and if you plan to read this book, have a Kleenex ready. *sniff sniff*

**I heard that the ending of the movie is different from that of the book. Hope it's just as heart-warming as the book is.