Jodi Picoult, the New York-born author known for her issue-driven family dramas, has published her latest novel, Hollow Bones. Since her debut in 1992 with Songs of the Humpback Whale, Picoult has written 30 novels and sold more than 60 million copies worldwide. Her work often addresses complex social topics including gun rights, abortion, eugenics, and suicide pacts. Hollow Bones explores the evolving relationship between a mother and daughter, continuing her focus on intimate family dynamics.
In a recent discussion about literature, Picoult reflected on some of her favorite works. She highlighted Karen Blixen’s 1937 memoir Out of Africa, which chronicles Blixen’s life on a Kenyan coffee plantation in the early 20th century. Picoult noted the stark contrast in Blixen’s writing style in this work compared to her other gothic fiction. She described the prose as "brutally spare," especially when Blixen alludes to her romantic relationship with Denys Finch Hatton through letters published after the book’s release. Picoult interpreted this minimalist approach as a deliberate choice by Blixen to convey the ineffable nature of her love story.
Turning to contemporary literature, Picoult identified VE Schwab’s 2020 novel The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue as a personal favorite. The story follows a young Frenchwoman who makes a Faustian bargain to live forever but is cursed to be forgotten by everyone she meets—until she encounters a man who remembers her. Picoult described the book as both a love story and its opposite, emphasizing its meditation on legacy and the desire to leave a lasting imprint despite being forgotten. She remarked that it offered a profound perspective on how memory and love contribute to a form of immortality.
Picoult also praised the 2026 novel Into the Blue by Emma Brodie, calling it “compulsively readable.” The story traces the complexities of a doomed relationship from adolescence to adulthood, intertwining themes of sci-fi fandom and midnight comedy. Picoult commended Brodie’s ability to surprise readers with unexpected plot developments and recommended the novel to those seeking engaging new authors.
Hollow Bones is published by Michael Joseph and became available on Thursday. With her continued exploration of challenging emotional landscapes, Picoult remains a prominent voice in contemporary fiction.