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

[~Melissa~]

Becca wrote: "Chapter 19 - (view spoiler)[ OMG, I had so much second-hand embarrassment when Jane's mom started rattling off all of Jane's baggage to Madeline! How awkward! Why the heck did she feel compelled to tell all that... (hide spoiler)]"

I'm not exactly sure why that happened (view spoiler)[ I kind of felt like maybe the mom got diarrhea of the mouth as she had no one else to talk about her fears about her daughter. Then all of a sudden she meets a woman who she thinks likes her daughter. It was a little TMI all at once. Like maybe Madeline should have shut her up sooner (hide spoiler)]

[Cynthia]

@ Becca & Melissa, re Chapter 19 -

My mom is so much like Jane's Mom. If she isn't all up in somebody's business then she's not happy. It would be just like her to pull a stunt like that.

[Sarah]

I think her mother is very concerned about her daughter and doesn't really know what to do and is reaching out to who she thinks may be a good friend. I would hope my mom would do the same.

[Becca]

Yeah, it feels like the book makes a distinction between "working moms" and "career moms". Renata is the only career mom that I've seen? Everyone else has a job that lets them still have flexibility for the kid, which the career mom doesn't have. I don't know, I only notice it since *I* am a "career mom", and we always get a bad rep! Haha

[Becca]

Chapter 35 - (view spoiler)[
Oh man, I feel so bad for Ziggy right now :( I agree with those that were feeling the witch hunt vibe. Ugh. :(

I am convinced something deeper is going on with Amabella (sorry if mispelled - I'm an audiobooker :P ). She never said she was being bullied, everyone just assumed. So I wonder what kind of dark secrets is going on with her. I just assume everyone has dark secrets at this point since all the other main characters seem to have them :P

Agreed with people saying it feels a little obtrusive to be getting such a raw look into these people's lives.

I'm so curious how the author seems to GET all these different character types.. how does she know all these inner feelings that the parents of divorce have? Or the feelings of spousal abuse, and Jane's situation with being degraded. These all just feel so raw and pure, and real. Maybe it's naive of me to feel that way since I've never experienced any of those things first hand (aside from being a child of divorce).. it just all rings so true, and I'm in awe that the author can do such a great job with such a wide variety of characters, making them REAL to me. (hide spoiler)]

[~Melissa~]

Sarah wrote: "I think her mother is very concerned about her daughter and doesn't really know what to do and is reaching out to who she thinks may be a good friend. I would hope my mom would do the same."

Where I agree that her Mom is concerned about her (view spoiler)[ I don't think she needed to share at the level she did. Granted I know people who do this without thought - I think it just depends on how long you've been keeping it to yourself or how comfortable you are with that person....not realizing the person you're having diarrhea of the mouth with just may not want all this info given so freely all at once. (hide spoiler)]

[Cynthia]

Becca wrote: "Chapter 35 -
Oh man, I feel so bad for Ziggy right now :( I agree with those that were feeling the witch hunt vibe. Ugh. :(

I am convinced something deeper is going on with Amabella (sorry if m..."


Trust me, she has it down. Especially Celeste. (view spoiler)[ When I was reading the passages about Celeste and her abuse, I wondered if people that hadn't experienced it would empathize with her. It's difficult to understand why people stay with abusers, but it isn't about money or status. I've heard people say that...oh, she wouldn't put up with that if he wasn't rich. Well, sure she would. Domestic violence happens across the classes. (hide spoiler)]

Moriarty is so talented.

[~Melissa~]

Cynthia wrote: "Becca wrote: "Chapter 35 -
Oh man, I feel so bad for Ziggy right now :( I agree with those that were feeling the witch hunt vibe. Ugh. :(



(view spoiler)[ That was the part that I just don't get - why would you stay until your kids are older?? Yes, Moriarity is very talented and great at making it all believable and real. (hide spoiler)]

[Cynthia]

~Melissa~ (~Cainis~ the Elf) wrote: "why would you ....??"


(view spoiler)[ It's a delaying tactic. I'll leave when the kids are older. I'll go back to school and leave when I graduate and get a good job. I'll leave after the holidays. I'll leave when mom's chemo is finished or after dad has his operation.

There's always something to delay it, because leaving is almost as terrifying as staying. Especially if he or she has threatened to kill or hurt the children if you leave. It's hard to disbelieve the abuser. (hide spoiler)]

[Becca]

halfway through Ch. 76 - (view spoiler)[OH MY GODDDD. Perry is Saxon Banks D: D: D: WHAT A DOUCHEBAGGG. I am really hoping he is the one who gets murdered.

I am kind of happy that Renata is becoming friendly with the group right at the end. I love when enemies become friends, and I hope that's what happens here :) (hide spoiler)]

[~Melissa~]

Becca wrote: "halfway through Ch. 76 .."



LOL - couldn't of said it better myself (view spoiler)[ yeah Perry/Saxon = total douchebag (hide spoiler)]

[Kristie]

Becca wrote: "halfway through Ch. 76 - ..."

LOL! Yup!! :D

[☼♎ Carmen the Bootyshaker Temptress ☼♎]

Becca wrote: "halfway through Ch. 76 - ..."

I agree.



~Melissa~ (~Cainis~ the Elf) wrote: "Becca wrote: "halfway through Ch. 76 .."



LOL - couldn't of said it better myself [spoilers removed]"

You are so right. LOL

[Debbie (Doc)]

I finished and loved this book - definitely 5 stars!

Was anyone else (view spoiler)[ surprised that Perry was Saxon? I sure didn't see that one coming! (hide spoiler)]

[~Melissa~]

@Debbie - yes (view spoiler)[ I really wasn't expecting that at all. I wasn't expecting him to be the one killed either - all along I was trying to figure out which woman was going to be killed (hide spoiler)]

[Debbie (Doc)]

~Melissa~ (~Cainis~ the Elf) wrote: "@Debbie - yes [spoilers removed]"

Me too - (view spoiler)[ I just knew one of the women would be killed and was really hoping that it was a "stranger" but at least he got what he deserved in the end (hide spoiler)]

[~Melissa~]

Totally agree (view spoiler)[ I think someone else mentioned and I'll second - 'couldn't of happened to a nicer douchebag' LOL (hide spoiler)]

[Rebecca NJ]

Fingers crossed there are still people around to discuss this book!

I've read through Chapter 6 this morning.

(view spoiler)[I am confused by all the other characters talking about "what happened" but I'm sure we'll meet them as the book goes along.

And Amabella blaming Ziggy - that can't be right! (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

Hi Rebecca,
it does get easier to keep everyone straight as you keep reading.

I'm sure a few of us will pop back in to discuss with you!
(view spoiler)[
it gets more interesting with Ziggy :) (hide spoiler)]

[Kristie]

Rebecca NJ wrote: "Fingers crossed there are still people around to discuss this book!

I've read through Chapter 6 this morning."

You don't really have to keep track of everyone in the "side comments". You eventually get a feel for them. It's just interesting to hear their take on what happened, which is of course skewed, like all gossip. The main characters are all introduced outside of those comments and you get to know them pretty well.

[Rebecca NJ]

Kristie (~ Gaildis, of the Elves ~) wrote: "You don't really have to keep track of everyone in the "side comments"..."

Thanks for letting me know. I had to go back to the beginning and re-read but now I have a feel for it and I'm really enjoying it.

@Laura - (view spoiler)[Oooh, more interesting with Ziggy? Guess I'll have to read on! (hide spoiler)]

I have managed to read through Chapter 17 - (view spoiler)[I feel so bad for Ziggy to not be invited to Amabella's party. I do hope he is still innocent in all of this! But then, I do wonder why Jane and Ziggy keep moving every 6 months. Hmmm... (hide spoiler)]

[Rebecca NJ]

Through Chapter 26 (view spoiler)[the mother's race at the school fair (hide spoiler)] -

(view spoiler)[As I am getting to know more about the characters, I have found it interesting that Madeline is just making it financially while Celeste is pretty well off.

The tension is starting to build with Madeline and the struggles with her oldest daughter and with Celeste and her husband.

I am really intrigued by what Jane's back story is. (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

Rebecca NJ wrote: "Through Chapter 26 [spoilers removed] -

As I am getting to know more about the characters, I have found it interesting that Madeline is just making it financially while Celeste is pretty well off..."

it all just keeps getting better and more interesting Rebecca!
(view spoiler)[
I thought that Moriaty did a great job depicting Madeline's relationship with her daughter. I 'm not sure how far you are so won't elaborate on this at the moment. (hide spoiler)]

[Rebecca NJ]

Once I got to a certain point, I could not put it down.

(view spoiler)[I had about 150 pages left to go and started to suspect that Perry used Saxon's name. I was surprised at learning more about Bonnie and what she went through.

And Ziggy - he was the protector after all. I knew he couldn't have done it! (Although, now knowing about his father...)

And Jane will have a second chance at romance! (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

Rebecca NJ wrote: "Once I got to a certain point, I could not put it down.

I had about 150 pages left to go and started to suspect that Perry used Saxon's name. I was surprised at learning more about Bonnie and w..."

It all ties up quite nicely at the end doesn't it?

[Rebecca NJ]

Laura wrote: "It all ties up quite nicely at the end doesn't it?..."

It really did. I liked the suspense throughout.

[Jenn]

ilovebakedgoods (Teresa) wrote: "Hm...this is starting so close to when I've got 2 other BRs going. I wonder if I can manage to read all 3 at the same time... decisions!

Do I want to read this sooner rather than later??

To tho..."
I know I'm a bit late to answer but I could not put this book down. I had to know what happened aand I liked and felt connected to these characters which is a nice change after reading all of GGilligan Flynn's books whose characters are dispicable.

[Jenn]

Laura wrote: "I 'm at chapter 48.

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 ..."
(view spoiler)[ I think that Abigail really looks up to and is somewhat idolizing Bonnie....and that Bonnie gets her in a way she doesn't think her mom does. I remember going through faces when I was younger and wishing I could live with a friends mom because she was more hip than my mom and iI related to her and idolized her a bit and thought how perfect life would be if I lived there instead. (hide spoiler)]

[Renee]

Here's a link to the interview with Liane Moriarty from the December Goodreads newsletter
https://www.goodreads.com/interviews/...

[jingles]

I finally got my copy of this from the library today, and I've gotten through chapter 15.

Chapter 1-15

(view spoiler)[Madeline is just a tad bit confrontational, huh? I love her little daughter, Chloe.

Celeste and Perry seem to be living in a domestic violence situation.

I'm not sure what to think about little Ziggy. There's a dark secret there for sure. (hide spoiler)]

Very, very interesting so far.

[Laura]

jingles wrote: "I finally got my copy of this from the library today, and I've gotten through chapter 15.

Chapter 1-15



Keep reading Jingles... if you think its interesting now .. it gets better !!!

[jingles]

Oh wow....well today, I got into much more of the story.

Chapter 16-33

(view spoiler)[Okay, I can't figure out the thing with Ziggy. Is there something wrong with him or no?

So now I know what happened to Jane. Man that guy...

Celeste has gone to counseling. She has been in denial I think. Knowing that something is wrong, but at the same time denying that things are as bad as they are.

I still haven't figured out that whole murder thing yet. (hide spoiler)]

I have to say, I love the way this author writes! What a wonderful imagination for storytelling she has. This is a perfect example of why reading is soooo much fun!!!

[jingles]

I finally finished this last night. Wow!

Chapter 34 - End

(view spoiler)[I knew there was going to be something significant with Jane, but I had absolutely no idea that Saxon Banks would actually turn out to be Perry White. That part blew me away...no way was I expecting that.

Also, it surprised me to learn that Jane actually moved there some years later because that is where the incident initially took place between her and Saxon. That was really weird for me. I guess maybe because in thinking about it from a personal perspective, I would be one to stay as far away from the place as possible. However, from Jane's point of view, I think this may have been her way of bringing it all back to the surface, confronting it once and for wall, putting it in it's proper perspective, and getting on with her life. Which, I thought all very, brave.

I really liked Madelyn. I know she could get a little crazy, and was definitely high-strung, but I liked her. (hide spoiler)]

All in all, this was a 4 star read for me. This is the second book I've read by this author, and she did not disappoint.

[Laura]

jingles wrote: "Oh wow....well today, I got into much more of the story.

Chapter 16-33

Okay, I can't figure out the thing with Ziggy. Is there something wrong with him or no?

So now I know what happened to Jan..."

I think most of us didn't figure out who was the murderer until almost the very end. Moriaty is a very clever writer.

[Laura]

jingles wrote: "I finally finished this last night. Wow!

Chapter 34 - End

I knew there was going to be something significant with Jane, but I had absolutely no idea that Saxon Banks would actually turn out to b..."

(view spoiler)[
very surprising that Saxon was actually in fact Perry. Did you figure out it was going to be Perry that died? What did you think of how he died? (hide spoiler)]

[jingles]

Laura, (view spoiler)[No, I hadn't figured out it would be Perry who died. I actually thought it was going to be Celeste. I thought it was very clever the way Moriarty brought about his demise. Try as I might, I could never figure out just how it was going to happen, because I couldn't imagine someone being murdered within the context of the school, the children, etc. I just couldn't wrap my mind around this murder in connection with the school.

It was all just so awesome. My goodness, but that woman can write a fascinating story!!! (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

jingles wrote: "Laura,

(view spoiler)[
I didn't figure it out either, all the suspects little side notes were entertaining but definitely clever too! (hide spoiler)]
She sure can write a fascinating story. If you haven't read ,also by Moriaty, you should try it! (its quite different)

[jingles]

Thanks, Laura. I'll add that to my TBR now.

[Laura]

jingles wrote: "Thanks, Laura. I'll add that to my TBR now."

Hope you like it.. I think that Kristie and a few others requested a buddy read thread for it.

I 'm going to read which was recommended to me. It looks intriguing!

[Jane]

I know I'm jumping in here somewhat late, but have to say I loved this book. The character development was excellent and I really didn't figure out either who was murdered or who did it right up until the end!!


The only other book of hers I've read was The Hypnotist's Love Story which had some great twists to it too! I had just started the Husband's Secret when Big Little Lies came in at the library, so now I'll go back to that.

[VNerdbooks]

I really enjoyed this book too Jane, it was frustrating not to know anything until right near the end too, very clever.

[Moderators of NBRC, Challenger-in-Chief]

*********THIS BUDDY READ IS BEING REVISITED!***********
Starts May 29, 2018

[Moderators of NBRC, Challenger-in-Chief]

      ~ Buddy Style Reads ~
    Three Ways to Enjoy a Book!

At NRBC we use three styles of buddy reads. These will be indicated in the thread title as “Buddy Read”, “Relaxed Buddy Read” or “Informal Buddy Read”.

A “Buddy Read” has a discussion leader and a reading date is set to start the book. A reading schedule is posted prior to the start date and discussion questions are posted each day regarding that section of the book. More information about these types of reads is below. An example is here, showing a reading schedule here.

A “Relaxed Buddy Read” is similar to our usual “buddy reads” except there are less questions and break points. For example, a book may be split into three sections and those reading the book should pause at the end of the section to answer some discussion questions, make comments, or ask their own questions to other readers. An example is here.

An “Informal Buddy Read” doesn’t have a discussion leader and participants are asked to consider some generic questions when making comments about the book. An example is here.

A “Read and Watch Buddy Read” may be set up as any of the above, but we will also watch the movie or T.V. series - or even go to a play! - and make comparisons, discussing what has been left out or changed as well as the actors and actresses. There is a long debate of what one should do first: read the books or watch the movie? We usually read first, but it isn’t essential. Also, if you would like to join in, but don’t want to watch the movie, show, or play, but only read the books, that is fine, too. An example is here.


MORE UNDER SPOILER
(view spoiler)[

“Buddy Reads” (“BRs”) include:

• A reading schedule which can range from 50, 75, to 100 or so pages a day.

• Discussion questions posted daily by moderators and occasionally group members
   who help one of us out. If you want to be a Discussion Leader, let us know.

• If the book is really long, we'll plan a break day.

• Members do NOT have to answer every question, they are meant to stimulate
   conversations about the books AND allow us to glance back upon them when the
   sequels come out. This helps us to remember what exactly happened in the previous
   book.

• We find the buddy style of reading to be more fun than just posting one or two
   sentences about a book. We feel this is what distinguishes us as being a ‘book club’
   rather than just another GoodReads ‘group.’

• If you can NOT start the book on time, feel free to join in at a later date. They are
   set up to make it easy to do so.

• Moderators are people too, so occasionally we get sick, have to work late at our real
   jobs, or have something that keeps us from writing the questions. Please forgive us;
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   free books!

• Discussions and questions are set up to make you think, analyze, and see things you,
   or even we, may have missed. Feel free to add your own thoughts at any time, if you
   think we've missed something.

• If you've read the book, feel free to let us know what you thought about the book.
   You can do so at the end of the buddy read, or, if you can't wait, add spoiler tags
   before you comment like:

   **************BEWARE! SPOILER FOR THE END OF THE BOOK**************

   Or insert a (view spoiler)[spoiler (hide spoiler)]. If you do NOT know how to do so, just check out our
   GoodReads 101 explanation on how to Insert a Spoiler.

• If you are looking for a reading buddy, post an inquiry in our Buddy read requests thread. Use that thread, if you want to have a repeat read of a BOM
    or buddy read, too.

• Have fun! We always do when more than one person joins in. And we look less silly
   if someone else discusses a book with us. (hide spoiler)]

[Moderators of NBRC, Challenger-in-Chief]

res

[Christina]

Hi, Team Lockhart here 👋🏻

[Morgan]

I'm in for this one. Team Ginny Weasley! :)

[Kaley]

I'll do this one! Been on my TBR list for far too long. Team Bellatrix Lestrange :)

[Louise]

Team Bellatrix Lestrange Here

[Christina]

yay to more people joining! :) (hoping this will keep me motivated lol)

[Tina ❣]

I'm definitely in if I can get the book from my library! Will post if I do - Team Tonks