Keeping Faith is the first novel by Jodi Picoult I have read but it will not be the last. I already have an order in for two more novels of hers. This book kept me turning papges longer after my eyes were burning for sleep. It combined many elements of good story telling that will attact most women. Mariah's rat of a husband has cheated on her,twice,and had her committed to a mental institution. While she is keeping a tenuous hold on her sanity her daughter, Faith, develops an invisible friend who turns out to be God in a female form. Mariah's house is besieged by those who want to know more about Faith including Ian, a ferocious non-believer. Faith and her mother are subjected to investigations by the Catholic Church, the court system and the medical community. Mariah is a brave but flawed woman, as are most of us are. This story certainly has some improbable situations but the basic story is one that every woman can relate to. The extra ordinary situations add to the suspense. Ms. Picoult is a sensitive writer with a flair for twists and turns.

In the mist of my collection of serial killers, crime, suspense and political thrillers, I manage to pick up one of those wonderful, beautiful books, that leave you breathless and begging for more when it finishes.

I absolutely loved this book by Jodi Picoult. Faith is a 7 yo girl that is having a very tough time going through her parents divorce. She calls upon her imaginery friend 'Guard' to help her through it. She is actually calling God and seeing her - yes, her! Through a number of miracles and other examples of Faith and her God, the media comes to town, bringing with it, believers, those who want to be healed, TV athiests and of course, reps from Rome.

This is not just a book about Faith and whether God actually exists or not, it is cleverly entwined with Mariah & Colin (Faith's parents) and they deal with the fact that their 7yo daughter might or might not be a visionary plus the fact they are divorcing and who gets custody of their little miraculous daughter.

This book is so much more than what I can describe in a review, it is beautifully and cleverly written, the characters are wonderful and you want to keep reading just to see what happens next to Faith and her 'family'. This has definately got to be one of the best books that I have read for a very long time (that isn't a thriller) and I highly recommend it!!

In 380-ish pages that seem to turn themselves, Jodi Picoult makes readers stop and think about several issues as simple as mother-daughter relationships and as complex as God. Mariah White, for the second time in their marriage, catches her husband with another woman. The first time, she was pregnant with their daughter, Faith. The second time, Faith was with Mariah when Colin was caught in the act. The first time, Mariah tries to kill herself. The second time, Colin leaves and Faith's "Guard" shows up. The seven year old starts performing miracles, attracting media attention, develops stigmata and quotes the Bible, although she's never been subjected to it. Mariah tries to shield her daughter from the attention while trying to find out for sure what is wrong with her. The reader switches back and forth several times, wondering if Faith is seeing God or if her mother is seeking attention. The book ends with a custody battle between Colin and Mariah and the reader wondering how much "Faith" they really have and would have if in a similar circumstance. The book is filled with colorful characters, perhaps the best Mariah's hold-no-punches mother, Millie. A GREAT book that you won't put down, and won't forget after you do.

This comprehensive book of quilt patterns using the stained glass window designs of Frank Lloyd Wright is a treasure. As a quilter and stained glass craftswoman, this book is a dream come true. The extensive explanations which accompany each design are easy to understand; the step-by-step illustrations make these complicated designs feasible for anyone. These deceptively simple-looking geometric designs make beautiful quilts (I've seen them in quilt shows), wallhangings, windowcoverings or they could be used to try your hand at stained glass. Jackie Robinson really did her homework, and her resulting book is one I use often.