Moriarty, Liane-Big Little Lies-Informal Buddy Read;Start Date: November 9th 2014 ;Revisit May 29, 2018

[Kristie]

Nope. There is no schedule, so everyone reads at their own pace. People just need to be careful to use spoilers so that it doesn't give away anything to people that read slower or start later.

[Danielle]

Okay, but I guess my question is how do the people who read slower going to participate? I wouldn't want to click a spoiler and have it be spoiled, and if we don't click the spoiler then we can't participate in the discussion?

[Kristie]

People usually say what part they're at. The slower readers just click the spoilers when they get to that part.

[Danielle]

ok :)

[Elena]

I'll be joining too and will try to start tomorrow.

[VNerdbooks]

I'm just finishing my other book and will start this one.

[~Melissa~]

I'm at chapter 6. I'm really enjoying this. It is making me laugh and it feels so *right* as in this really is how Moms and Dads act. Still trying to keep everyone straight in my head.

[K~Terror]

I'm at chapter 5 but have done some re-reading trying to keep the people straight myself. Enjoying the writing style - have chuckled quite a bit already. :)

[Kristie]

I was confused the first time that she had everyone chime in on their opinion of what occurred. There were too many people to remember. I didn't bother trying to remember them all, which is fine because as the book goes on, I'm starting to get accustomed to people's personalities in those snippits. Those little bits make me want to know what happened. I'm glad that she is focusing on just a few main characters though.

I think the writing is done really well. I feel like I am in the heads of these people. It seems so real, like they would actually think this way.

[K~Terror]

Kristie (~ Gaildis, of the Elves ~) wrote: "I was confused the first time that she had everyone chime in on their opinion of what occurred. There were too many people to remember. I didn't bother trying to remember them all, which is fine be..."

I agree. I sort of feel like a bit of a nosy nelly -- seeing people as they want to be seen by others.. but then bearing witness to what's really going on behind closed doors.

[Laura]

I 'm at chapter 48.

(view spoiler)[Madeline is trying to cope/adjust with Abigail moving to her father's house.
" Her life was theoretically easier with only two children to get out of her house each day, but each time she remembered a task relating to Abigail that was no longer hers, she felt that sharp sense of loss." (p.280)
How do you think you would feel if this happened to you? Do you think Madeline is coping?
I think that Madeline is handling the whole situation better than I would. I would be devastated. It would be very easy to blame yourself and wonder if you were a "good enough "mother.
I would think that Abigail's decision to move in with her dad and his family is
1. to get to know him better since he wasn't there when she was growing up
2. there are less rules at dad & Bonnie's
(hide spoiler)]

[☼♎ Carmen the Bootyshaker Temptress ☼♎]

I'm going to pick up my copy tomorrow and then start. I can't wait.

[VNerdbooks]

I'm getting confused with all of these names to remember lol

[Laura]

Finished! I gave it a 5*.

(view spoiler)[ As you get closer to "trivia night" you realize who is murdered, but I hadn't figured out who actually did it until it flashed backed and occurred. (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

V Audio Nerd wrote: "I'm getting confused with all of these names to remember lol"

it does get easier!!

[~Melissa~]

Kristin ~ Experiment in Terror Junkie wrote: "Kristie (~ Gaildis, of the Elves ~) wrote: "I was confused the first time that she had everyone chime in on their opinion of what occurred. There were too many people to remember. I didn't bother t..."


nosy nelly perfect description LOL. It is kind of freaky to see what is going on in some of these minds. The lady with the reference to the Erotic Book Club is cracking me up.


@Laura - holy crap girl you are quick :D

[Laura]

~Melissa~ (~Cainis~ the Elf) wrote: "Kristin ~ Experiment in Terror Junkie wrote: "Kristie (~ Gaildis, of the Elves ~) wrote: "I was confused the first time that she had everyone chime in on their opinion of what occurred. There were ..."

Melissa, I borrowed it from the library and it has to go back in a couple of days. I started it last week and finished it tonight!

[Kristie]

Kristin ~ Experiment in Terror Junkie wrote: "I agree. I sort of feel like a bit of a nosy nelly -- seeing people as they want to be seen by others.. but then bearing witness to what's really going on behind closed doors."

Me too! :)



Laura wrote: "Finished! I gave it a 5*."

Way to go! I can't wait to read your spoilers. I'm on chapter 35 now.



V Audio Nerd wrote: "I'm getting confused with all of these names to remember lol"

I agree with Laura. It does get easier as you go. I felt that way when I read The Husband's Secret too.



~Melissa~ (~Cainis~ the Elf) wrote: "The lady with the reference to the Erotic Book Club is cracking me up."

Ha! She is so obsessed with it. lol

[Kristie]

End of Chapter 34: (view spoiler)[I really expected Jane to say that Ziggy was a product of rape, but I should have expected more from Liane Moriarty's writing.I think what she went through was just as bad and would probably constitute rape to many people. It was violent, scary, cruel... It's so sad how it has effected her in so many ways.

I was also surprised that Madeline waited a whole day before googling the guy! But, I just got past the part where she realizes that Ziggy has half-siblings and is trying to figure out what to do about it. That would be a terribly difficult position for me to be in, but I don't think I'd tell her. What would you do?? (hide spoiler)]

[♦Ashley♦]

I need to hurry up and finish my current read so I can start this :)

[Debbie (Doc)]

I plan to start on this by Wednesday and would love to join in the discussion.

[~Melissa~]

Debbie wrote: "I plan to start on this by Wednesday and would love to join in the discussion."
Yeah : )

[Poongothai]

End of Chapter 7
(view spoiler)[ So many characters giving their opinion to keep them straight.

Do you think Ziggy is telling the truth ? I think he is lying (hide spoiler)]

[~Melissa~]

Poongothai (view spoiler)[ I think the truth lies somewhere in the middle personally. I think Ziggy did something but it might not have been to the extent the girl is saying. I'm unclear why the teacher didn't ask both kids what happened. (hide spoiler)]

[Poongothai]

Melissa (view spoiler)[Yes it is unclear why the teacher and parents didnt ask what happened...My first impression was that he is not lying, then I thought about him lying about his lunch box, so as you say the truth has to lie somewhere in the middle (hide spoiler)]

[Poongothai]

End of Chapter 11
(view spoiler)[Wondering whether Celeste and Perry have the perfect marriage that they represent (hide spoiler)]

[VNerdbooks]

hmm do they (view spoiler)[bake chocolate chip cookies on planes? (hide spoiler)]

[VNerdbooks]

Celeste and Perry Chp 11 (view spoiler)[ talk about trying to put on a happy show for everyone (hide spoiler)]

[Poongothai]

End of Chapter 21
(view spoiler)[Do you think Madeline overreacted by rejecting the Birthday Invitation? (hide spoiler)]

[Kimberly]

I'm up to Chapter 19. I've only read a few of the spoilers as there aren't many I can read yet.

(view spoiler)[ I agree that the truth must lie somewhere in the middle of Ziggy's complete innocence and complete guilt. He definitely did something. That whole scene was so brilliantly uncomfortable.

I also agree with someone's comment about feeling nosy - all of the POVs are so raw - it definitely feels like spying one someone's inner thoughts.

Does anyone think Jane was raped or something else awful to have conceived Ziggy? I feel like Jane keeps alluding to an unknown potentially awful hereditary trait that Ziggy may have picked up from his less than savory father.

I wish this book was not about a murder. To me, with what I've read so far, a murder seems just that little bit too far fetched for me. It's a shame because the character development is so expertly done. I'm hoping my instinct is off and that the murder fits in as well as everything else so far.

Has anyone else read A Casual Vacancy? This book seems slightly reminiscent of it to me - the multiple characters - the bold truth of the innermost thoughts, etc.

(hide spoiler)]

Are there going to be discussion questions at all?

I'm listening to the audiobook. Anyone else?

[K~Terror]

Poongathai - End of Chapter 21

I was debating that same question... (view spoiler)[ Although I can see from Renata's side that she wouldn't want Ziggy there, she could have handled her daughter's birthday party so differently. I don't believe the daughter accidentally passed out the invites in front of everyone for a minute. And even though Renata believes her daughter, it wasn't ever proven, exactly, what happened. (As folks mentioned above, there are a lot of questions about what transpired.). So, in knowing Madeline's personality and her comfort with confrontation, I understand why she handled it the way that she did. I think Madeline was trying to be a good friend to Jane and stand up for her, because she found herself with an opportunity to do so... (hide spoiler)]

[K~Terror]

V Audio Nerd wrote: "hmm do they [spoilers removed]"

I certainly think it would make for a good marketing tool if they did!! LOL!

[K~Terror]

Kimberly wrote: "I'm listening to the audiobook. Anyone else? "

I'm listening to this on audio too - which may explain if I'm spelling names wrong. LOL! I'm enjoying the narration - I think Caroline Lee is doing a great job. (I also enjoyed her in her narration of The Forgotten Garden)

I'm not sure about the discussion questions - when I looked it up, it said the informal buddy reads wouldn't have a reading schedule & would have some generic questions. There was a link for an example, but the example looks like our thread pretty much - where we are asking questions of each other as we go...

[K~Terror]

Chapter 34

(view spoiler)[ I just have to say that I love Madeline.. I'm still not sure what all transpired on the school trivia night, but she is such a strong personality. I can see exactly why Celeste described Madeline, at the beginning of the book, as someone who makes friends and enemies wherever she goes - but probably more of the latter. LOL! I admire how she's not afraid to be herself and to state her opinions - even if they go against the grain. I don't think she tries to be confrontational - but it certainly doesn't bother her when she is.

Also, Ed seems like the perfect husband for Madeline. He seems to really love her and they appear to have a really good relationship - but he knows exactly what to say and do to smooth out the bumps about as well as she knows how to create them! (hide spoiler)]

[Kristie]

Poongothai wrote: "Melissa [spoilers removed]"

I didn't even think about that scene (view spoiler)[with the lunchbox when his mom said Ziggy doesn't lie. She had just noticed him lying in the car before they got there! (hide spoiler)] Good catch!

[Kristie]

Kimberly wrote: "I'm up to Chapter 19. I've only read a few of the spoilers as there aren't many I can read yet.

I agree that the truth must lie somewhere in the middle of Ziggy's complete innocence and complete..."

I'm also listening to the audiobook (view spoiler)[ I also got the impression that Jane was raped. It definitely felt like she was expecting Ziggy to have inherited some really awful trait. I think I mention that in one of my later spoilers.

I was wondering about the murder too. It does seem over the top. I'm wondering if it's accidental? Someone gets pushed and falls over a banister or something? Or maybe they're allergic to nuts or something? (hide spoiler)]

[Kristie]

Kristin ~ Experiment in Terror Junkie wrote: "Poongathai - End of Chapter 21

I was debating that same question... [spoilers removed]"

I felt that Renata (view spoiler)[ was trying to teach Ziggy a lesson. Plus, she was already telling all the other parents not to let their children play with him. So, I'm sure she was hoping to leave him out. She wanted her daughter to have all the friends and Ziggy to have none. (hide spoiler)]

[VNerdbooks]

Love Madeline, she's so funny!

[Kristie]

Kristin ~ Experiment in Terror Junkie wrote: "Chapter 34

I just have to say that I love Madeline.. I'm still not sure what all transpired on the school trivia night, but she is such a strong personality. I can see exactly why Celeste desc..."

I agree about (view spoiler)[ Madeline's husband. He seems great. I was a bit concerned when she asked him to strangle her and he was like "ok". I thought, oh no! Don't let him be Jane's bad dude!! But, ultimately, I think he was just playing along.

I'm dying to know who was murdered. Was it Jane?? Very curious. (hide spoiler)]

[Kristie]

Obviously, I'm so glad to have spoilers that I can read!! :D So much going on and I'm really loving it.

[VNerdbooks]

After chp 10 > What's the deal with Jane -does anyone think (view spoiler)[ the she may have been raped when she was younger, is that why she only is 99% certain that he didn't hurt that girl? Is there a 1% chance that he may be like his father? (hide spoiler)]

[K~Terror]

Kristie (~ Gaildis, of the Elves ~) wrote: "Kristin ~ Experiment in Terror Junkie wrote: "Poongathai - End of Chapter 21

I was debating that same question... [spoilers removed]"

I felt that Renata [spoilers removed]"

I think you are right! I guess that's why (view spoiler)[ Madeline thought she needed to teach Renata a lesson. They are all just so over-the-top personalities. (hide spoiler)]

Oh V - Me tooooooo! Madeline cracks me up -- laughed a lot at her descriptive thoughts on PMS!!!!

[Kristie]

V Audio Nerd wrote: "After chp 10 > What's the deal with Jane -does anyone think [spoilers removed]"

There's a couple other posts from later in the book wondering the same thing. I'm at chapter 35 - You do find out the answer to that, but it may lead to even more discussion. I can't say any more. :)

[VNerdbooks]

Haha I've been sooo good and not clicked on any spoilers so far, that is difficult for me ask anyone **cough cough Kristin lol

[K~Terror]

Kristie (~ Gaildis, of the Elves ~) wrote: "V Audio Nerd wrote: "After chp 10 > What's the deal with Jane -does anyone think [spoilers removed]"

There's a couple other posts from later in the book wondering the same thing. I'm at chapter 35..."

I am right where you are! (view spoiler)[ It's starting to feel a bit like a witch hunt. grrrr.... (hide spoiler)]

V - I'm impressed!!!! LOL!!!!

[~Melissa~]

@Kristen and Poongothai - I totally forgot about the lunchbox thing too. I'm at chapter 13 and caught up on all the spoilers I can read. Darn it's hard to not click on those other spoilers,lol (view spoiler)[ I was wondering the same thing about Celeste and Perry - especially when you hear her thoughts about just staying with him until the kids graduate and you think - wow he's so sweet I don't get it/ Then you see the computer freak out scene he has - totally get it.
Jane and Ziggy - something is not right - has he hurt someone before or was she referring to that girl. It sounded more like an incident in the past.
Madeline - wow how hard to compete with the freak step mom who is just fabulous?? Really who gets up and ready to be at a homeless shelter by 5:30 in the morning on Christmas when you have little kids...... Love that her hubby is clueless about the friends. We have a neighbor - will look at a wife and say "you have a child who is friends with Alex, right?" The wife's response "yes and we've met several times my name is__________' I kid you not happens all the time (hide spoiler)]

[Kimberly]

So much of this book hits home for me - just the mundane little things - the description of Facebook, the 5-2 diet, the kindergarten politics... Crazy familiar. Moriarty has her finger on the pulse for sure.

[Kimberly]

... Oh and that take home stuffed animal thing. Haha. My son brought home the school possum for a week of fun at our house, complete with photos, etc. But, he forgot to tell me it was in his bag until the Sunday before it was due on Monday... We had to run around all day Sunday, staging scenes for photographs with the toy. And then I stayed up late that night making an impressive photo collage for the journal. All so my son wouldn't feel ostracised. I so feel for these women. :)

[Joi]

This book is good so far. I am really enjoying it.

[Kelly]

Kimberly wrote: "... Oh and that take home stuffed animal thing. Haha. My son brought home the school possum for a week of fun at our house, complete with photos, etc. But, he forgot to tell me it was in his bag un..."

Oh, I'm not looking forward to that part of having kids. I'm tempted just to have their feelings hurt.