From the Bookshelf of Drop Everything And Read…

The Girl on the Train

Paula Hawkins

Start date: December 1, 2016

Finish date: December 31, 2016

Discussion: Read

Why we're reading this: It won the BOTM Polls
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What Members Thought

Apr 14, 2017 Suzzie rated it really liked it

4.5*

This book is crazy. It is a very enjoyable read and I still need to watch the movie but I'm hoping it is as crazy as the book. This is a fast read because you get very wrapped up in the story and characters and most will have trouble putting it down. ...more

21 likes · Like · see review

May 28, 2018 Madge rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: books-i-wish-i-never-read, thriller-mystery, one-and-a-half-stars

This was possibly the most boring and eye-roll inducing book I've read all year. I was *thisclose* to DNF'ing it, but around 40-50% it seemed like it was going to get interesting, so I powered through. I kind of wish I'd just abandoned it. I wrote a long rant about it, around 80%, but I try not to do that in reviews/otherwise online most of the time, unless I really hated a book. I didn't completely hate this book, but it's definitely on the list of books I wish I'd just passed on reading, and I This was possibly the most boring and eye-roll inducing book I've read all year. I was *thisclose* to DNF'ing it, but around 40-50% it seemed like it was going to get interesting, so I powered through. I kind of wish I'd just abandoned it. I wrote a long rant about it, around 80%, but I try not to do that in reviews/otherwise online most of the time, unless I really hated a book. I didn't completely hate this book, but it's definitely on the list of books I wish I'd just passed on reading, and I don't get the hype.

This is probably mostly just me. I'm starting to think that thrillers are just not my thing, because I don't often enjoy them. I want to, it just doesn't work out that way often, unfortunately, and I tend to get bored or really irritated by them.

The only reasons I even read this one was because A) it works for several challenge prompts, and B) I've seen it on lists for unlikable protagonists/characters, and sometimes I end up liking those books a lot more than most people I know. I can't even remember anyone's name for sure from this, and I just finished it like 2 hours ago. Even while I was reading I couldn't remember their names until they were mentioned :/ My feelings about the book aren't helped by me figuring out who the culprit was, and probably what their motive was, way before 50%, I think around 35%, maybe sooner. I wish I'd listened to my gut and given up then, because I kept expecting to get some twists and surprises, but it never happened.

(view spoiler) ...more

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Feb 22, 2016 Tor.com Publishing added it

I like book clubs for drawing me out of my comfort zone; I wouldn't otherwise read thrillers, as I find the squirm of dramatic tension to be not to my taste. Who likes feeling stressed & uncomfortable? Once danger starts up, I can relax as it moves into fantasy. --MK ...more

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Sep 21, 2017 Audrey rated it liked it · review of another edition

I read this in 2 days, not because it was exciting but because I just couldn't wait to find out what is really going on. None of the main characters are likable. In fact, I really really dislike all of them except maybe Cathy. It was quite slow-paced in the beginning, picked up a bit in the middle but the ending was disappointing. The constant blackouts and not being able to remember things annoy me a little. I kept reading about it over and over again until I was so bored. It could've been a be ...more

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Jun 19, 2016 Rachel Pruchno rated it really liked it

Fast-moving psychological thriller. Took a road trip from Philly to Boson with my husband and listened to the audio book. We didn't want to stop driving.

Great characters. Thoughtful story. I love the short chapters that keep you wanting to see what happens next.

The ending of the book was a little anti-climacteric, but all in all, I'll look forward to reading more by this new author. ...more

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Feb 27, 2017 Misty rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2016-and-earlier

If you've ever read “At the Pitt-Rivers” by Penelope Lively, you will most certainly recognize the similarities here. A young lady, living vicariously through those around her whilst drowning her memories of the past in alcohol, creates a fantasy life for a couple she sees daily from her seat on the train. That fantasy takes on new dimensions as it collides with reality in a plot that may be a bit too predictable once the reader makes connections. The tangled mess of loose threads are one by one ...more

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Feb 07, 2017 Amy Sutton rated it it was ok

Shelves: book-club-reading, 2017, reviewed, library

This story was just mediocre. I really appreciate how complex the women are, though. Hawkins created women who were dysfunctional and dealt with very ugly aspects of life that many women face. At the same time, each one of them is defined by their motherhood (or lack thereof) and their relationships with men. I got kind of annoyed by all the drama and adultery.

If you enjoy character-driven stories where the plot doesn’t really matter, you’ll love this. If you’re looking for a fast-paced thrille ...more

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