From the Bookshelf of The Reading Challenge Group…

The Girl on the Train

Paula Hawkins

Start date: March 1, 2016

Finish date: March 31, 2016

Discussion: Group Read Archive 2014-16

Why we're reading this: Genre Group Read (Mystery) - Mar 2016
[close] Genre Group Read (Mystery) - Mar 2016

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Group Read Archive 2014-16

Genre Group Read (Humour) - December 2016 - You Are Not So Smart
By Allison , Quest Hound · 11 posts · 30 views

last updated Dec 28, 2016 04:05PM

Alternate Group Read (Classics) - December 2016 - Mansfield Park
By Allison , Quest Hound · 5 posts · 18 views

last updated Dec 04, 2016 09:34AM

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What Members Thought

May 15, 2015 Francesca rated it really liked it

Nice characters, good book though a bit distressing but definetely a page turner one.

12 likes · Like · see review

Feb 15, 2015 Anissa rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2015, contemporary-fiction, psychological-thriller

There's a whole lot of crazy crammed into this story and I rather enjoyed it. I did figure out somewhat early what must have been the thing that the three women had in common and I enjoyed reading along to find out that I was correct. I found the reveal, confession & resolution rather quick (it's literally a few pages) but I've read other books where this happens so I think it must be that the journey was really the point and the Who and Why is not the raison d'être.

I found it most difficult to There's a whole lot of crazy crammed into this story and I rather enjoyed it. I did figure out somewhat early what must have been the thing that the three women had in common and I enjoyed reading along to find out that I was correct. I found the reveal, confession & resolution rather quick (it's literally a few pages) but I've read other books where this happens so I think it must be that the journey was really the point and the Who and Why is not the raison d'être.

I found it most difficult to abide with Rache but she's the first unreliable narrator I've enjoyed reading in a very long while. This close look in with an alcoholic was suffocating, uncomfortable, pitiable and infuriating all at the same time. Ultimately, I think she was well written because I felt a lot for and toward her as I read. I even hoped for her to succeed at something, anything, for herself in the end. Meghan, while she had her own box of issues was a bit less real to me or more correctly, she was remote. I don't know if that was by design or just my interpretation while reading about her point of view. Though told in her voice, I felt that I never knew who she was. I was reading about her but I never felt like she was quite there. Given how things unfold in the story, perhaps that's the point. Anna seemed a clear character and while I didn't like her either, I saw where she was coming from and took some satisfaction in the truths that rained down on her about the life she cattily constructed and had thought she was immune from.

The men in the story, Scott, Tom and Kamal were fine as characters but never felt as well crafted as the women and given that they are the hinges on which most of the angst is hung, I found that a shame. Still, their actions did come together neatly and I thought they were woven in well.

I know this is oft compared to Gone Girl (which I've not read) so I don't know if it's a must read for fans of that book, but I do think it's a great and fast read for fans of mysteries and psychological thrillers. If you like intimate looks at the not so pretty sides of people, give this one a read. ...more

7 likes · Like · see review

Mar 26, 2016 Ivy rated it it was amazing

Shelves: checked-out-from-library, published-in-2015, 2016-challenges, read-in-march-for-groups

This is the book that was chosen as the 2016 genre group read. March - Mystery.

5 stars

Very good book. Little weird. Tom was very bad. Liked Rachel and some of the others. Mystery books are always good.

Happy Easter everyone!!!

7 likes · Like · see review

Feb 05, 2015 Melissapalmer404 rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Book #16 Read in 2015
The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins

People have been comparing this book to Gone Girl and that comparison is pretty spot on as this thriller has not-so-likable characters and a plot that will keep you reading and unable to put the book down. Rachel has lost her job due to her drinking problem but in order to not have her roommate find out, she continues her daily train commute. This ride has her passing her old house, where her ex-husband now lives with his new wife and ba ...more

6 likes · Like · see review

Mar 14, 2015 Katie rated it liked it

Shelves: 2015-reading-challenge

Dear World, please stop referring to every book as the next Gone Girl. Or saying "If you loved Gone Girl you'll love this". No. Just no.
All of the characters are terrible people which made it an interesting read but I felt something was missing. ...more

3 likes · Like · see review

Mar 28, 2015 Mike rated it it was amazing

Nice who-dun-it, kept me guessing to the climax, even with the nudges. The saga of Rachel, Megs, Scott, Tom, Anna, the red haired man, Riley, and the doctor. I've already made sure it's available for my wife and my mother to read. (No, they are not one and the same) ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Sep 22, 2015 A B rated it liked it

Truth be told, this is a perfectly good quick mystery novel. It starts out as a bit of a psychological thriller narrated by Rachel, a lonely alcoholic who rides by her beloved old house every day and rubbernecks at the attractive new couple living there. The story is narrated to a lesser extent by two other women. All three narrators are a part of the same story and I enjoyed seeing how each woman recounted various events.

However, it quickly turns into a run-of-the-mill whodunnit. Even with all ...more

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Jan 22, 2015 Pamela Dae rated it liked it

Fun, compelling, quick read and fascinating story. For a full review with book club menu, music and movie casting suggestions: https://daeandwrite.wordpress.com/201... ...more

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Sep 03, 2015 Laura rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: 2015-reading-challenge

That was amazing the last 50 or so pages especially had me gripped I couldn't put it down. definitely going to be reading more thrillers...although I can't read them before bed because you know nightmares. But wow. ...more

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