Flynn, Gillian - Sharp Objects - Informal Buddy Read; Start: February 1, 2015 **** REVISIT starts July 26, 2018

[Shilpa]

I just started the book..2 chapters done..

I am finding the story very intriguing..difficult to comment on the characters right now though..

[Shilpa]

Finished chapter 7!

(view spoiler)[ That pig farm scene was SO disturbing! How could Amma just sit there and smile at the sight? I need a break before continuing! (hide spoiler)]

[♦Ashley♦]

I finished this last night. My favorite of the three books. Super creepy!

[Nancy]

I finished this as well. My goodness, it was dark! As the book went on I kept thinking, how on earth could a family be this messed up?

(view spoiler)[I had heard of Munchausen's By Proxy and I had suspected it was going to be something like that when I realised just how messed up Adora was. I just couldn't imagine it - how self-centred and disturbed would someone need to be in order to hurt or kill their own child for attention? As I write this, my baby daughter has a terrible case of chicken pox and I honestly would cut off my own arm if it would alleviate her discomfort. I couldn't ever imagine doing anything to make it worse. But then, it is a know psychological disorder (hide spoiler)]

Flynn, once again, has shown how clever she is at switching you from liking a character to hating them and vice versa. She did it so well with Amma. (view spoiler)[I can't say I was at all surprised though that she ended up being the murderer. She was vile (hide spoiler)]

[Nancy]

Shilpa wrote: "Finished chapter 7!

[spoilers removed]"

I completely agree about needing a break. I just did a marathon read of the book from that point to the end and I felt like I needed a good scrub in the bath when I had finished!

[Shilpa]

NancyHelen wrote: "Shilpa wrote: "Finished chapter 7!

[spoilers removed]"

I completely agree about needing a break. I just did a marathon read of the book from that point to the end and I felt like I needed a good ..."

I am all geared up to start again but i have to finish another book before that.. Stupid challenges! :P

[[deleted user]]

I finished this today. This really wasn't my kind of book. It's disappointing because I really enjoyed Gone Girl. I just found this one way too dark and disturbing. I found it very difficult to read without needing to put it down and take a break because it just upset me too much. I also found it pretty predictable, I saw the twist coming. I gave it 3 stars because the writing is good but it just wasn't for me.

[[deleted user]]

Erin wrote: "At the end of chapter 12 [spoilers removed]"

Lol good call Erin! (view spoiler)[I guessed it at that point too and then I second-guessed myself (maybe earlier actually, I think it was around chapter 8 or 9 for me). Should have listened to my gut! (hide spoiler)]

[Vikki]

I actually read this in quite big chunks in just over 1 day. It's interesting a few people have said they needed to put it down because they found it too dark.

[MJ Codename: ♕Duchess♕]

This book is amazing. Hands down, her best one.

Dark Places was horrible. I ended up skimming the chapters, there was no real reason to tell that story.

Gone Girl is incredible as well, but for reasons I still can't put into words. And yes, there were slight changes made in the movie, but Gillian made them herself seeing as she wrote the script. A couple of things were left out that weren't necessary to the movie.

[Sarah]

I did not like her other two books. I thought this one was better. I thought beats out Flynn's books period.

[Moderators of NBRC, Challenger-in-Chief]

*********THIS BUDDY READ IS BEING REVISITED!***********

start date is July 26, 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;
   we're only human and we don't get any compensation for what we do--not even
   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

[Joanne]

Joining this one for Team Draco Malfoy

[Mary X]

I might from Team Minerva. I have the book. But I'm going to Mexico from 7/21-7/28. I'll bring it with me, I just might not be able to comment. That will depend on how well the international plan works on my phone. Last time my boyfriend went, he said it didn't work well on his.

[Morgan]

Checking in for Team Ginny Weasley! :)

Can't wait to start this one.

[Christina]

Yup, I'm here for Team Lockhart! Now I only need to figure out where my book is... 🙈

I read Gone Girl around the time the movie was out and didn't like it at all. I couldn't stand any of the characters, but maybe the translator is to blame, idk (I read it in German, big mistake!). The movie was okay in my opinion, but I want to give Flynn another chance.

[Joanne]

I loved Gone Girl but I also read it when it first came out and there wasn't as much hype. I also read Dark Places awhile back and thought it was really twisted. I liked it but didn't love it. So I'm curious to see how I'll feel about this one.

[Kaley]

I'll jump in for this one from Team Bellatrix! I have actually read it before but it's been a few years, so I don't remember a lot of the details. Now that it's a show it's making me want to reread it!

[Mary X]

Any problem if I start a little early?

[Kaley]

Mary: Harry Dresden's Love Slave wrote: "Any problem if I start a little early?"

I would think it's fine. We're getting pretty close to the start date anyway!

[Devann]

yeah, as long as you don't mind that it'll probably take the rest of us awhile to catch up to you lol

[Morgan]

Hello all. I started this book before going on vacation and I'm about 77% in. It's really, really good. I've been reading a lot of romance books lately, so I was worried the genre transition would be difficult, but it wasn't too bad. I love how thrilling and "in your face" this book can be. Gillian Flynn doesn't hold back at all and I love that!

[Devann]

good to know you're enjoying it. i've been having kind of the opposite problem this month: i've been reading a lot of mystery/thriller books so when i have to read a 'cute' book for an ARC or something i have trouble getting into it because it's not ~dark~ enough lol

[Morgan]

Devann wrote: "good to know you're enjoying it. i've been having kind of the opposite problem this month: i've been reading a lot of mystery/thriller books so when i have to read a 'cute' book for an ARC or somet..."

Hahaha. I totally understand! It's so hard to switch genres when your mind hasn't gotten hooked on one, especially if it's something sweet and romantic or to the other extreme, dark and twisted. How do you then read a cute, cuddly book? That would be a very difficult transition! LOL!

[Kaley]

Morgan wrote: "Hello all. I started this book before going on vacation and I'm about 77% in. It's really, really good. I've been reading a lot of romance books lately, so I was worried the genre transition would ..."

Glad you're liking it! I'm excited to start it again, but nervous because I re-read my review for it and only gave it three stars, which for me is questionable. I really can't remember much aside from the ending and what watching the first episode of the HBO series triggered my memory on since it's been four years (and I've read so many other books since then), so it'll almost be like a new read for me (except for the knowing-the-ending part). :-P

[Devann]

i've read two gillian flynn books so far - gone girl and dark places - and they've both been 3 stars for me but like ...idk i find her writing very interesting but i think it takes her awhile to get going and also while i respect the unlikable characters it sometimes makes it a bit harder to read. i definitely wouldn't want to read books like hers all the time but i think it's good on occasion and for me generally 3 stars is perfectly acceptable [unless it's like a thousand page book or something bc if i'm spending THAT much time on something i need it to be really good lol]

[JanEyre9]

Can't wait to read this one! -Team McGonagall

[Morgan]

Devann wrote: "i've read two gillian flynn books so far - gone girl and dark places - and they've both been 3 stars for me but like ...idk i find her writing very interesting but i think it takes her awhile to ge..."

This is my second Gillian Flynn book. I read Gone Girl late last year and LOVED it!! This one is definitely even more dark and twisted than that book, but I'm really, really enjoying it. I love that she's no holds barred with this book and removes all fear of judgment from her writing. She writes without restraints and I love that. So far, it has made for a really good read.

[Devann]

gone girl is so weird for me because the first half is 1 star i hated everything and everyone and wanted to throw it across the room ...then second half is like 5 stars super amazing love everything about it so i had to meet in the middle and 3 star it even though i really do think it's a very good book but ...man that first half is just so hard to get through

[Kaley]

Devann wrote: "gone girl is so weird for me because the first half is 1 star i hated everything and everyone and wanted to throw it across the room ...then second half is like 5 stars super amazing love everythin..."

I totally get that. I loved Gone Girl, but the beginning was pretty slow! But then you get to [spoiler for Gone Girl, not Sharp Objects] (view spoiler)[the big twist and BAM, everything you thought you knew is wrong and the story takes a completely different turn (hide spoiler)].

[Devann]

@Kaley I KNOW! [spoilers for gone girl] (view spoiler)[for the whole first half i was like omg i feel bad not liking her but i don't have time to deal with her internalized misogyny and then the second half is like LMAO JUST KIDDING and i was loving it lol (hide spoiler)]

[Morgan]

I enjoyed Gone Girl! I'm really bad at these mystery/thriller books, because I always get it wrong! LOL. That one took me on an amazing emotional rollercoaster and I was completely wrong the entire time. I felt every emotion possible and in the end, I was shocked, which is truly the best feeling during a mystery book. I still agree that Sharp Objects was even better than Gone Girl. They're almost like not even in the same category of amazing.

[Mary X]

Oh good, someone else also started. I got about an hour into it. I like it much better than Dark Places so far. I loved Gone Girl.

Camille(view spoiler)[I'm wondering what happened to her as a child that she's afraid of showers and seems kind of off?... (hide spoiler)]

Camille's parents (view spoiler)[Well her mother and step-father. They seem like very cold people. (hide spoiler)]

[Mary X]

Ama: (view spoiler)[Creepy as hell. (hide spoiler)]

[megan]

I'll be joining in on this one. Still need to finish Dark Objects and probably take a break to read something much lighter. Flynn can get you in the gut.

[Devann]

started today and read chapters 1-3 and realized that i already knew who the killer was before even starting because i heard some people discussing it like SUPER casually on some thread YEARS ago. oh well, i guess this way i can pick up on all the little things i would miss if i was trying to figure it out

okay start i guess but to me it seems like flynn is basically just writing the same book over and over again. i mean i guess whatever works but i can only read about small towns full of horrible people hung up on wildly outdated gender roles so many times before it just gets boring.

[Christina]

I can't find my physical copy anymore so decided to get the ebook 😬 will start tomorrow hopefully!

[JanEyre9]

I'm not sure if I'm making a bad decision but I started the audio for sharp objects today and intend to start the physical copy of dark places tomorrow. Gone Girl was a total mind screw so I'm hoping I'm not crying in a corner come Sunday afternoon.

I'm very early in the story but am immediately intrigued by Camille's relationship with her mother. (view spoiler)[ Why is there such cold politeness and not even a hug hello after a year? Such stiffness, I can't wait to find out why. (hide spoiler)]

[Devann]

haha good luck, i don't think i would be able to read two gillian flynn books at once

[Kaley]

JanEyre9 wrote: "I'm not sure if I'm making a bad decision but I started the audio for sharp objects today and intend to start the physical copy of dark places tomorrow. Gone Girl was a total mind screw so I'm hopi..."

I feel like both of those are darker than Gone Girl, though it's been a while since I've read any of them to say for sure (I plan to start Sharp Objects for a reread today), so hopefully that doesn't bother you too much! Good luck!

[Christina]

I am so confused about Amma.(view spoiler)[ The girls were described as teenagers before (at least they seemed like teens to me), but back at home she's playing with her doll house for her mum who she's referring to by her name? Something is definitely off here. (hide spoiler)]

[Devann]

@Christina, well she's 13 so technically a teenager but also kind of young still. and i think she said something when camille first saw her about like playing up the little girl image at home because that's what her mom wants from her or whatever

i read up through chapter 7 today still not really sure how i feel about the whole thing. i mean even for a gillian flynn book everyone is just ...sooooo unlikable. and like i'm not surprised camille is the way she is because her mom is just awful but i hate how she like ...judges people for things but then basically turns around and does the same things herself i guess.

[Christina]

I know but.... something's messing with my head here :l

[Devann]

i'm through chapter 10 now. gotta say i am definitely enjoying this way less than gone girl or dark places, but boy is it making me feel like an incredibly well adjusted person with a totally normal childhood and wildly healthy family relationships lmao god, everyone is just so horrible? i think i shouldn't have read two books by her in one month

[Mary X]

I didn't get a chance to listen to any of this while in Mexico. But I plan to resume listening tomorrow. Then I'll catch up on some comments.

I will say, that this town just seems off somehow.

[Devann]

read up through chapter 13 today so i'll finish it tomorrow. gotta say i didn't think it could get even MORE messed up re: camille's family dynamics but d a m n lol. although honestly i just don't know what the POINT of all this is, i mean i'm 80% of the way through and it barely even seems like it's going anyplace. i've got a few more thoughts but i'll wait till i'm done to say anything more

[Ashlee]

Christina wrote: "I am so confused about Amma.[spoilers removed]"

I am only 4 chapters in, but it seems to me that Adora can only function with Amma as a child. So in a sense, she isn't aloud to grow up, and pribably doesn't have a need to for that matter.

[Christina]

I'm currently mid Chapter 9 and I still don't know how I feel about this book. I'm basically half way through, but to me it still seems like the story hasn't even properly started yet. Amma is just... and Adora....
I'm kind of getting Wayward Pines vibes (has anybody read the series?) but I'm pretty sure there's no sci-fi in Sharp Objects... why do I sense brain washing and maybe aliens though??? 😅😂
For real though, (view spoiler)[I already got the vibe that Adora kidnapped Ann and Natalie in ch5 or so. She might not even do it 'knowingly'. Maybe she has some mental health issues. Maybe Alan killed the girls. Who even knows... I got nothing else 🤷🏼‍♀️ but then again, wouldn't the boy who saw the abduction happening recognize Adora? Do we know what Adora looks like btw? (hide spoiler)]