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

[~Melissa~]

V Audio Nerd wrote: "Oh and the beautiful mums in the morning looking perfect, when I look like a bag of cr@p lol
What time do these women get up in the morning to look like that ?!?!"

When we moved into our present neighborhood - I had a mom come to our door pretty early in full makeup and hair. After she left, hubby looked at me and said "isn't it like 7am....what the hell time did she get up to be completely together?!?" Huge brownie points for him that day......and thank god he doesn't expect that cuz man would he be disappointed,lol!!!!!!
BTW - she is actually a lovely lady and we are friends ...but I just thought really!?!

[~Melissa~]

V Audio Nerd wrote: "chp 31 Jane [spoilers removed]"

I just finished this part (view spoiler)[ holy crap.....that just sucks and totally explains why she had her doubts about Ziggy and the choking incident. Also explains her eating, no makeup etc. Now you kind of look back at Ziggy and .....just wonder. Then I think well crap the poor kid only has a mom - how hard it must be to wear both hats and do it all while still trying to make enough money etc. sounds like she was a normally healthy girl before all this no more or less fat than anyone else. Too bad she hasn't figured out that people that act like this are insecure about themselves and do this to make themselves feel superior. (hide spoiler)]

[~Melissa~]

I'm at chapter 33 observations from a lot of different parts so I'll spoiler them
(view spoiler)[ so Renata - what a total pain in the ass mom. The whole up handing out the invites in front of people is terrible. Yes, still kids do this even when they don't invite the whole class. Now I'm not a mom that feels we have to invite the whole class as I never did.....but I took the time to call the school to find out addresses so I could mail them....DUH!?!! No hard feelings for the most part that way. Totally agree that Renata was trying to make a point and I'm sure she new that precious little Amarabelle had taken some of the invites.
Madeline - I kind of love her. I know she is totally in your face, that is wrong, you can't do that kind of chick but I love that she sticks up for what she believes in. Hilarious that she was able to get tickets to Disney on Ice!

Celeste - I sort of want to feel bad for you.....but my bigger issue with her is .....how do you say you love him and have an awesome sex life and he makes you feel alive!?!?! After he has just humiliated you and left you with bruises ( how nice- that no one can see). I don't understand this. If it was just verbal abuse - not that I condone that either but I could see how you might think.....well I'll just stay until the kids are through school but he hits you ....for whatever reason...and the we all have to put on such a happy face. Now if she was a masochist and this was consensual - I would be fine with it...well without the disparaging remarks ....those piss me off.

Madeline's ex husband - forgot his name. What an ass. This is my first time blah blah blah.....at least he had the good grace to blush and realize he made a mistake....oops oh yeah Abigail already did all this. Sorry no respect for him and do- goober Bonnie makes me want to puke. The organic blowjob comment made me spew coffee,LOL. I may have stronger feelings on this subject because one of my friends goes through this with her three kids. Hubby was all set to move out of state when all of a sudden he started dating someone and they just happened to get married....the he wanted half custody and they moved into the same neighborhood and the new wife is making my friends life miserable.


Jane - I just feel bad for her (hide spoiler)]

[Sarah]

Is there any character you are most like?

I really am a lot like Madeline. Love dressing up and clothes, love love shoes etc..., I have a whole room that is a closet, a closet full of dresses, a high heel collection through the roof, but I am not at all pretentious. Very down to earth, I wear my heart on my sleeve. And at the same time blunt, confrontational, and loyal. I will speak up, I am friendly, love people, but could rub some people the wrong way - the passive aggressive ones - can't stand passive aggressive! Say what you mean and be real - no fake BS

[K~Terror]

~Melissa~ (~Cainis~ the Elf) wrote: "I'm at chapter 33 observations from a lot of different parts so I'll spoiler them
so Renata - what a total pain in the ass mom. The whole up handing out the invites in front of people is terrible..."

Loved reading your spoilers regarding the characters agreed with all of them!

(view spoiler)[ I had the same reaction with the organic bj while drinking coffee!!! Hilarious!!!

I really loved Madeline! I know she is over the top and in your face - but I love she has no filter and you always know where you stand with someone like that. I love she has a heart and is not afraid to stand up for the underdog. Jane really needed someone like Madeline to be there for her - she was exactly like you'd think a 'big sis' should be!

Yea, also agree with having a hard time understanding Celeste and why she stayed... I don't know what it's like to be abused and to be beaten down like that, but I have to think it does a lot of damage to your self-esteem and gives you a warped sense of reality. You hear about how people who have suffered abuse think it's their fault they are treated badly and I could hear that coming out of Celeste's mouth quite a few times. (Or she would totally down play their fights so it didn't seem quite so bad...) It was good she found a good counselor!

Oh Jane... I just wanted to hug her. (hide spoiler)]

[~Melissa~]

Kristin ~ Experiment in Terror Junkie wrote: "~Melissa~ (~Cainis~ the Elf) wrote: "I'm at chapter 33 observations from a lot of different parts so I'll spoiler them
so Renata - what a total pain in the ass mom. The whole up handing out the i..."


but I'm wondering (view spoiler)[ I probably haven't gotten far enough - I'm wondering if Celeste will actually go through with leaving him - the part I'm at is she just found a little apartment for her and her boys. I can't believe she thinks she contributes to it by fighting back - when she was saying that I was like wtf? And the comment on how maybe if she was meek and didn't grow up with brothers where they rough housed together - then maybe she wouldn't fight back and Perry would treat her better.....again I was like wtf?!! and why don't you tell your big brothers what your asshole husband is doing to you

(hide spoiler)] ok rant over :)

[K~Terror]

~Melissa~ (~Cainis~ the Elf) wrote: "Kristin ~ Experiment in Terror Junkie wrote: "~Melissa~ (~Cainis~ the Elf) wrote: "I'm at chapter 33 observations from a lot of different parts so I'll spoiler them
so Renata - what a total pain ..."

Oh Melissa - I thought a lot of those very things too! It was so FRUSTRATING to read at times! (view spoiler)[ I bet you and I would have handled it totally different. But then again, a lot of times things look different from our perspective than when you are like Celeste and living this crap day after day. It probably progressed so slowly she didn't realize the water was boiling because it just kept getting a little warmer to her.

I guess I spent some time thinking about Celeste's situation and what the heck she was thinking. I have to confess that at the very beginning I even believed that they were both being abusive to each other - because that's what she said... Then as I read through her day to day happenings (BEATINGS!) and realized Celeste was pretty delusional. Probably all those things she told herself (and believed) is what got her able to sleep through the night.

I wish we has a psychologist or psychiatrist on this thread to enlighten us... Haha! (hide spoiler)].

[Laura]

Kimberly wrote: "I'm in chapter 69. Loving this book!! [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ haha, I was happy to hear that about Tom too! (hide spoiler)]

[Kristie]

Chapter 70-something, when trivia night is beginning: (view spoiler)[ Ok, so I felt so bad for Celeste when she found out it was Max and when she put the pieces together that he had seen and heard her and Perry. Then, when they were in the car, just before the trivia night, I was so worried for her! So glad that she decided to get away. I hope she makes it.

Oh, and I was kind of wondering if it was Celeste that made a fake account and donated the $100,000 to Amnesty for Madeline's daughter, since it happened right after Madeline told her about it and she seems to have enough money to do so.

And I'm so glad Tom's not gay!! lol I had a feeling about that man. He and Jane seem quite adorable together.

I still don't know who's going to die, but I'm so worried for people. I hope it's someone I don't like...maybe Harper! I still can't stand Harper. She should have stayed out of it. At least Renata had a reason to be angry. Harper is just injecting herself and causing drama. She and her self-righteous husband annoy the crap out of me. But, it will probably be someone I like. :( (hide spoiler)]

[☼♎ Carmen the Bootyshaker Temptress ☼♎]

Laura wrote: "Kristie, I am a little over 40% in and am also enjoying the book.
[spoilers removed]"

I started it last night and I was wondering the same thing but I think he did and is lying about it.

[☼♎ Carmen the Bootyshaker Temptress ☼♎]

I was wondering why (view spoiler)[the teacher didn't ask the children for their version of what happened but I don't think that it was a bad as the girl said. I don't understand why they keep comparing him to the father when the kid didn't even know his father. He died. Plus I don't think that Perry and Celeste have that perfect marriage that they keep talking about. I guess will find out soon (hide spoiler)]

[☼♎ Carmen the Bootyshaker Temptress ☼♎]

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 thought that was a little mean.

[☼♎ Carmen the Bootyshaker Temptress ☼♎]

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

I was thinking the same thing. I wonder if they'll mention it in the end.

[☼♎ Carmen the Bootyshaker Temptress ☼♎]

V Audio Nerd wrote: "Oh and the beautiful mums in the morning looking perfect, when I look like a bag of cr@p lol
What time do these women get up in the morning to look like that ?!?!"

OMG I was thinking the same thing. Who the hell has time for that? I'm lucky that I can get out of my PJ's in time to get there LOL

[Kristie]

☼♎ Carmen the Bootyshaker Temptress ☼♎ wrote: "I was wondering why [spoilers removed]"

How far are you in the book? Always checking before I read spoilers! :)

[☼♎ Carmen the Bootyshaker Temptress ☼♎]

Kristie (~ Gaildis, of the Elves ~) wrote: "☼♎ Carmen the Bootyshaker Temptress ☼♎ wrote: "I was wondering why [spoilers removed]"

How far are you in the book? Always checking before I read spoilers! :)"

I'm currently nearing chp 12

[Joi]

☼♎ Carmen the Bootyshaker Temptress ☼♎ wrote: "Kristie (~ Gaildis, of the Elves ~) wrote: "☼♎ Carmen the Bootyshaker Temptress ☼♎ wrote: "I was wondering why [spoilers removed]"

How far are you in the book? Always checking before I read spoile..."

me 2

[☼♎ Carmen the Bootyshaker Temptress ☼♎]

ok just starting chp 14 and at the end of chp 13, Renata is pissing me off. She is such a chatter box. Why is she (view spoiler)[talking badly about Ziggy when she doesn't know exactly what happened (hide spoiler)] Err

[Elena]

Just finished ch14 and I really hope (view spoiler)[the one who gets murdered is Perry (hide spoiler)]

[☼♎ Carmen the Bootyshaker Temptress ☼♎]

Elena wrote: "Just finished ch14 and I really hope [spoilers removed]"

OMG me too LOL

[~Melissa~]

Kristin ~ Experiment in Terror Junkie wrote: "~Melissa~ (~Cainis~ the Elf) wrote: "Kristin ~ Experiment in Terror Junkie wrote: "~Melissa~ (~Cainis~ the Elf) wrote: "I'm at chapter 33 observations from a lot of different parts so I'll spoiler ..."


Finished the book - couldn't put it down - so good!!

@Kristin - you know a few times I went to you and V's buddy read in TCF group by mistake LOL (view spoiler)[ so Celeste & Perry- somewhat I can see how when you're in it day to day you can probably(?!?!) brush some stuff off but not all that he did over all those years. (hide spoiler)]

Thoughts rest of book - Holy Crap - this is my first book by this author and WOW - loved it
(view spoiler)[ OMG Tom's not gay LMAO - that was awesome and I loved how he stood up to Harper's husband - what an utter asshole. I thought it was hilarious how the one stirring everything up when nothing happened to her precious baby is totally back pedaling in the face of a guy (Tom) standing up for Jane.
Abigail and her website - again - ummm holy crap and don't you have to be a certain age to open a website??? where is the internet security - 14 yr old virgin selling her virginity doesn't bring out anybody trying to shut down the site but the parents??? Thank god for Celeste's donation - honestly I kind of thought it was one of the parents but with everything else going on with Celeste I didn't even think of her.
Juliette (nanny) - really not surprised over the happenings of the Nanny with Renata's and Harper's husband. I actually felt sorry for Renata a little - in the end she was just trying to protect her daughter and she felt bad when she found out who the real culprit was. Harper - is it bad I didn't feel bad for her at all.

Celeste/Perry/Max - how terrible for Celeste to find out all along it's been her son terrorizing the little girls - all because her kids saw her husband hitting her. I was totally worried when he found out about her apartment. Then his dramatic breakdown in the car - really what a load of crap - he is all about the drama as long as it is about him - as if he was ever going to do anything to stop.

Perry/Saxon & Jane - I did not see that coming at all. Then to turn to your wife and say 'it meant nothing at all' - granted I'm sure Perry had no idea that Jane had actually told Celeste and Madeline what happened in that hotel room. He just thought he was brushing off his infidelity - really as if that wasn't enough.

Bonnie - who would have thought the granola, love the environment, toga teacher chick could get so angry....until you find out her back story.

Perry - of course trying to save his ass when Renata has her phone out and is stating she is going to call the police after he assaulted his wife. "Let's not get ahead of ourselves" really ?!?!?

Is it bad to say that I'm so fricking happy that it was Perry that was 'murdered' - couldn't of happened to a more deserving person.

Thank God Bonnie decided to tell the truth - that would have been bad and really it was technically an accident. I can totally see what all the women were thinking when they said that they saw nothing. All the thoughts running through their heads. (hide spoiler)]

[☼♎ Carmen the Bootyshaker Temptress ☼♎]

Ok I have to change my mind about Ziggy. Poor kid is getting a bad rep. especially with Renata around. Even his grandma, Jane's mother, made me feel bad when he didn't get an invite to the party :(

[Kristie]

Hoping to finish today. Can't wait to get to the end! This is the second book I've read by this author and I really like her books. Though, I think I like this one even more than The Husband's Secret. I'll have to read more by her. I've heard What Alice Forgot is really good too. Maybe I'll try that one next.

[Kristie]

☼♎ Carmen the Bootyshaker Temptress ☼♎ wrote: "Ok I have to change my mind about Ziggy. Poor kid is getting a bad rep. especially with Renata around. Even his grandma, Jane's mother, made me feel bad when he didn't get an invite to the party :("

I think that was just mean. He's only 5. I understand Renata being mad. I would have been enraged over someone hurting my daughter, but she didn't really know what happened and you can't be intentionally cruel to a kindergartener.

[~Melissa~]

Kristie (~ Gaildis, of the Elves ~) wrote: "Hoping to finish today. Can't wait to get to the end! This is the second book I've read by this author and I really like her books. Though, I think I like this one even more than The Husband'..."</i>

I have [book:The Husband's Secret that I want to read. Not sure I'll get to it this month but next month for sure.

[~Melissa~]

I agree what Renata did was mean and a little over the top for 5yr olds

[☼♎ Carmen the Bootyshaker Temptress ☼♎]

I can't take Perry. He's got some real issues. I don't know why she takes that crap from him and I don't want to hear it's because she loves him. There's no reason for his abuse.

[Kristie]

~Melissa~ (~Cainis~ the Elf) wrote: "Kristie (~ Gaildis, of the Elves ~) wrote: "Hoping to finish today. Can't wait to get to the end! This is the second book I've read by this author and I really like her books. Though, I think I lik..."

I thought it was really good. Similar style. You get to know three different women and some side characters and see how their lives connect. There is mystery in that one too, but you know half way through the book who it was and it's just finding out how everyone handles it. The epilogue is really interesting in that one.

[Kristie]

☼♎ Carmen the Bootyshaker Temptress ☼♎ wrote: "I can't take Perry. He's got some real issues. I don't know why she takes that crap from him and I don't want to hear it's because she loves him. There's no reason for his abuse."

(view spoiler)[ As time goes on, she explains her reasoning. It doesn't make sense to people that have not suffered from domestic abuse, but it is very typical of women in that situation. They love the man they originally fell in love with, even though that's not the person they're really married to any more. It's very sad and a difficult cycle for them to break out of. (hide spoiler)]

[☼♎ Carmen the Bootyshaker Temptress ☼♎]

Kristie (~ Gaildis, of the Elves ~) wrote: "☼♎ Carmen the Bootyshaker Temptress ☼♎ wrote: "I can't take Perry. He's got some real issues. I don't know why she takes that crap from him and I don't want to hear it's because she loves him. Ther..."

I know but it still pisses me off. I just want to grab him and shake some sense into him. Jerk :{

[~Melissa~]

☼♎ Carmen the Bootyshaker Temptress ☼♎ wrote: "Kristie (~ Gaildis, of the Elves ~) wrote: "☼♎ Carmen the Bootyshaker Temptress ☼♎ wrote: "I can't take Perry. He's got some real issues. I don't know why she takes that crap from him and I don't w..."

Carmen - some might be starting after you so if you could please spoiler your comments. We have a lot of people reading this one and some might be starting later. We don't want to spoil anything for anyone as the book is really good. Thanks :)

<*spoiler> minus the * then <*/spoiler> to unspoiler if your going to add general comments after the spoiler

[VNerdbooks]

I have about half an hour left of this, I'm glad (view spoiler)[ there was an apology to Ziggy, and the Star Wars party was a lovely way to do it (hide spoiler)]

[Joi]

Kristie (~ Gaildis, of the Elves ~) wrote: "☼♎ Carmen the Bootyshaker Temptress ☼♎ wrote: "Ok I have to change my mind about Ziggy. Poor kid is getting a bad rep. especially with Renata around. Even his grandma, Jane's mother, made me feel b..."

I agree with you ... I don't think I'm as far as you but even I can tell that everyone is against Ziggy only because of what Renata's daughter accused him of. I like the fact that Jane took up for her child. That made me happy because a lot of parents automatically cover for each other (the parent is always right) without listening to their child. I'm still trying to figure out how I feel about Ziggy. I want to believe that he is cute and innocent. But it's hard with everyone being so adamant. Even Celeste.

[☼♎ Carmen the Bootyshaker Temptress ☼♎]

Sorry I was posting on my iPod and I was too annoyed and didn't mean to spoil it for anyone. I'll Rey to restrain myself.

[☼♎ Carmen the Bootyshaker Temptress ☼♎]

I hate autocorrect I meant try not Rey :)

[VNerdbooks]

lol autocorrelation is a nightmare!!!

[VNerdbooks]

GAHHH You see what I mean?!?! bloody phone!

[~Melissa~]

☼♎ Carmen the Bootyshaker Temptress ☼♎ wrote: "I hate autocorrect I meant try not Rey :)"

autocorrect is a nightmare I tell you LOL

[~Melissa~]

Joi wrote: "Kristie (~ Gaildis, of the Elves ~) wrote: "☼♎ Carmen the Bootyshaker Temptress ☼♎ wrote: "Ok I have to change my mind about Ziggy. Poor kid is getting a bad rep. especially with Renata around. Eve..."

I really didn't understand why the teacher didn't take the child aside and talk with her in private instead of in front of all the parents??

[~Melissa~]

☼♎ Carmen the Bootyshaker Temptress ☼♎ wrote: "Sorry I was posting on my iPod and I was too annoyed and didn't mean to spoil it for anyone. I'll Rey to restrain myself."

Yes - it was totally annoying :)

[Debbie (Doc)]

☼♎ Carmen the Bootyshaker Temptress ☼♎ wrote: "I can't take Perry. He's got some real issues. I don't know why she takes that crap from him and I don't want to hear it's because she loves him. There's no reason for his abuse."

I totally agree with you. (view spoiler)[ I am on chapter 14, and I hope that she finds it in her to leave before the boys graduate from high school! (hide spoiler)]

[Debbie (Doc)]

Joi wrote: "Kristie (~ Gaildis, of the Elves ~) wrote: "☼♎ Carmen the Bootyshaker Temptress ☼♎ wrote: "Ok I have to change my mind about Ziggy. Poor kid is getting a bad rep. especially with Renata around. Eve..."

I agree with you on (view spoiler)[Ziggy. I am wondering if something happened in the past with him. A couple of times Jane has had nightmares where he was on her throat. She also has these flashbacks but nothing has really been said - just a hunch on my part! (hide spoiler)]

[~Melissa~]

@Debbie - it just keeps getting better. I had to finish it before the roll for SS in TCF group. I didn't want to split my reading three ways lol

[VNerdbooks]

Just finished! What a great read.

[Elena]

Chapter 27. (view spoiler)[Looks like a tiny first step in the right direction for Celeste, I'm hoping she won't stop there.

Things are getting noticeably tense between all the parties involved. I wonder which conflict will lead to murder: Madeline vs Renata, Madeline vs Bonnie, Renata vs Bonnie, Celeste vs Perry or will it be something completely unrelated? (hide spoiler)]

I'm really enjoying the little interview excerpts at the end of each chapter. Funny how people gossiping about others end up revealing much more about themselves.

[~Melissa~]

Elena wrote: "I'm really enjoying the little interview excerpts at the end of each chapter. Funny how people gossiping about others end up revealing much more about themselves. "

They kind of really make the book and make each character seem more real. Also makes you really dislike some of them lol

[Amanda A]

I finished this last night and I ended up loving it!

(view spoiler)[It drove me nuts not knowing who was killed but the ending was better than I expected. I don't think Celeste would have followed through with leaving Perry, so I was kind of glad it was Perry after all of the abuse he put her through. I liked the twist with Jane recognizing him as Saxon Banks and I did not see that coming.

I loved the friendships between Jane, Celeste and Madeline and how loyal they were to each other despite all of the drama. I spent most of the book disliking Renata but she redeemed herself in the end. And sweet little Bonnie, I would never have pegged her as getting angry enough to kill someone but after hearing her story I can understand her reaction. (hide spoiler)]

This was my first book by Liane Moriarty and it definitely will not be my last!

[Kristie]

Just finished this one and I think it was absolutely fabulous. I love Liane Moriarty's writing. She has great character development, knows how to make the mystery linger, adds plausible twists, and keeps my interest the whole way through. Excellent book!

[Kristie]

Amanda A wrote: "I finished this last night and I ended up loving it!

It drove me nuts not knowing who was killed but the ending was better than I expected. I don't think Celeste would have followed through with..."

I agree with everything in your spoiler! I felt the same way about all of those things. I have to say that (view spoiler)[ I disliked Harper more than Renata. I felt like Renata at least had a reason for being mad at Jane and Ziggy, even if she handled it poorly, but Harper was just creating drama. And that petition! She should have just stayed out of it. She could have supported her friend without being so awful.

I still don't understand why they didn't pull Amabella aside and ask her what was going on. The school counselor might have been able to convince her that it was safe to tell. (hide spoiler)]

[Kristie]

Did everyone see that they are making this into a movie!! It is expected to come out some time in 2017.

Big Little Lies movie