Jodi Picoult is doing something different. If you’ve been following her for twenty years, you know the drill: a controversial moral dilemma, a twisty courtroom climax, and a gut-punch ending that makes you want to call your mom. But lately? She’s shifting. The recent Jodi Picoult books are less about "ripped from the headlines" legal drama and more about deep, meticulously researched dives into history and identity that some readers—honestly—weren't ready for.
It's a big pivot. We aren't just talking about a new plot; we’re talking about a fundamental change in how she tells stories.
The Shakespeare Gamble: By Any Other Name
Published in late 2024 (with a paperback release in August 2025), By Any Other Name is probably her most ambitious swing yet. It’s a dual-timeline novel that basically asks: What if William Shakespeare didn’t actually write those plays?
The story follows Emilia Bassano, a real historical figure who was a poet in the Elizabethan era. In Picoult’s version, Emilia is the "ghostwriter" behind the Bard. Intertwined with this is the modern-day story of Melina Green, a playwright (and Emilia’s descendant) who can’t get her work produced because the theater world is still a "boys' club."
- The Hook: It’s a feminist reclaim-your-voice story.
- The Controversy: Hardcore history buffs and Shakespeare fans are split. Some find the theory fascinating; others think it’s a stretch.
- The Vibe: It’s heavy on research. If you liked The Storyteller, you’ll love the historical detail. If you’re here for the fast-paced legal thrills of Nineteen Minutes, this might feel a bit slow.
Picoult actually spent months in London and Stratford-upon-Avon for this one. She didn't just Google it. She looked at primary sources to build the case that a woman—a Jewish woman, no less—could have been the true voice behind Hamlet.
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The Collaboration Everyone Talked About: Mad Honey
You can't talk about recent Jodi Picoult books without mentioning Mad Honey. Co-authored with Jennifer Finney Boylan, this book was a massive cultural moment. It’s part murder mystery, part deep-dive into gender identity.
The story starts with Olivia McAfee, a beekeeper (the honey metaphors are everywhere, and they're actually pretty cool) whose son, Asher, is accused of killing his girlfriend, Lily. About halfway through, there is a massive reveal about Lily’s identity that changes the entire context of the trial.
Honestly, the partnership worked. Boylan, who is a trans woman, brought a level of authenticity to Lily’s perspective that Picoult admitted she couldn't have achieved alone. It’s a heavy book. It deals with domestic abuse, the physics of honey production, and the terrifying fear of not really knowing your own child.
What’s Coming in 2026?
The rumor mill is already churning for 2026. Picoult has been vocal about her next project being inspired by a "Post Secret" postcard. Remember those? People would mail in secrets on decorated postcards.
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One specifically caught her eye: "Everyone who knew me before 9/11 thinks that I’m dead."
She’s exploring what it means to "disappear" during a public tragedy to escape a private one. It's a haunting premise. It's also a return to that "moral gray area" her fans crave. What would make a person let their family believe they died in the Twin Towers just so they could start over? The research for this has reportedly involved interviewing survivors and people who lived through the aftermath in NYC.
The 10th Anniversary of Small Great Things
In March 2026, we’re also seeing a 10th Anniversary Deluxe Edition of Small Great Things. This is the book that really cemented her move into heavy social commentary regarding race and privilege.
If you haven’t read it yet, it’s about a Black labor and delivery nurse who is told she can’t touch the baby of a white supremacist couple. When the baby dies, she’s the one on trial. It’s uncomfortable. It’s supposed to be. The anniversary edition is expected to include new reflections from Picoult on how the conversation around race has (or hasn't) changed in the decade since it was published.
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Why People Are Polarized
Look, some people think Picoult has become "too political." You’ll see it in the Goodreads reviews. But here’s the thing: she’s always been political. My Sister's Keeper was about bioethics. The Tenth Circle was about sexual assault.
The difference now is the scale.
The recent Jodi Picoult books feel less like local tragedies and more like systemic critiques. Whether she's tackling the erasure of women in history or the rights of trans teenagers, she’s not pulling punches.
How to approach her new stuff:
- Check the genre: She’s doing a lot more dual-timeline historical fiction now. If you hate jumping back and forth between centuries, By Any Other Name will frustrate you.
- Expect the research: You’re going to learn about beekeeping, or Elizabethan stagecraft, or the technicalities of hormone therapy. She doesn't do "light" reads.
- The "Twist" is different: It’s often less of a "gotcha" and more of a "perspective shift."
If you’re looking to get back into her work, start with Mad Honey for the classic Picoult "courtroom" feel, then move to By Any Other Name if you want to see her flex her historical muscles.
Next Steps for Readers:
Check your local library for the By Any Other Name paperback release in August 2025 if you want to save a few bucks. Also, if you’re a fan of the "Shakespeare was a fraud" theory, pair that read with the movie Anonymous or the book Shakespeare" Was a Woman with Humor, Intelligence, and Strategy by Elizabeth Winkler to see where Picoult got some of her inspiration.