My all-nighter and a new favorite author

Well, I just pulled an all-nighter -- and read an entire book in five and a half hours straight. It's very possibly a record for me -- I think I put the book down once all night, and that was to check my blood sugar. Even I haven't read a full-length novel all in one sitting before... All in one day, yes, but all in one sitting, no -- until now.

The book is My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult, my new favorite author. I read two of her books while I was visiting my grandfather recently, the first I'd read of her work, and I fell instantly in love. She writes with a depth of human emotion that few authors can lay claim to; she addresses controversial issues with grace, somehow managing to always put a human face on both sides of the debate...at the same time, no less. Picoult is, in short, the writer I hope to be someday, and she is now tied with Judy Blume for the position of my favorite contemporary author.

I blogged more about My Sister's Keeper and my discovery of Picoult on my book blog, Livre du Jour, which I am updating again. I hope you'll stop by there and read what else I have to say about this riveting novel.

Anyway, I'm pretty tired right now, as can be expected, but it comes in waves. I'm thinking I should take advantage of the fact that I'm up and work a little bit before I go to bed. Hopefully I can keep from sleeping all day long and throwing off my sleep schedule even more!