Big Little Lies, by Liane Moriarty
Now that I've finished this book I can definitely say that I really liked it. Not quite loved, but it was very good. It took me until about 60% (I know 60% exactly because my fancy new Kindle Fire tells me my progress while reading, kind of love that) of the way through it to get into it, but once I got there, I couldn't put it down. And I genuinely let out an audible gasp at one point! I also teared up in pride for these human beings coming together in support of each other - which was really surprising considering the beginning....
The beginning was slow, very slow. Maybe it's because I'm not really a mystery reader - I'm not used to being lead into something - I kind of like learning a character and going through the drama with them; but in this book it was obvious that something happens in the end - and you get the background along with bits and pieces of characters' accounts after the fact at the same time. A weird way to read for me - it challenged my desire to be in control of everything, not knowing what it was that happened - not wanting to get too attached to certain characters, wishing ill on others - maybe that's why it was hard for me to get into? I'm not sure.
I also, really disliked a lot of the characters at the beginning. This book does a good job of showing a lot of different personalities in a small town and how they interact with each other. It also made me think of how I would react to certain types of people and situations. To be honest, it kind of makes me worried for when my children start going to school. I truly hope that there's not really this much drama and ridiculousness amongst parents but I guess you never really know what you'll get!
Once the mystery started unfolding I was so excited. I was so excited to know that things were finally being resolved, secrets were coming out and surprisingly - all those people who were acting so ridiculously stepped up for each other. It was beautiful. Without spoiling the ending, I hope, here are my favorite quotes from the whole thing:
"It occurred to her that there were so many levels of evil in the world. Small evils like her own malicious words. Like not inviting a child to a party. Bigger evils like walking out on your wife and newborn baby or sleeping with your child's nanny. And then there was the sort of evil of which Madeline had no experience; cruelty in hotel rooms and violence in suburban homes and little girls being sold like merchandise, shattering innocent hearts."
"Your children see! We see!"
Read it. Push through if you have a hard time at the beginning like I did. It's good. You'll like it.
Onto my next to finish up, The Book Thief.
ALSO! This was my first reading experience on my Kindle Fire (on any electronic reading device, actually). For the longest time I fought it - I LOVE reading and I LOVE my books. I felt like the electronic reader was cheating and that I would miss having the actual book. With this first book I now know, that it was very nice. I liked being able to read it in the dark, with one hand, while nursing/rocking my baby to sleep. If I come across a book that I love so much that I cannot live without then I will buy a hard copy. But, I'm converted now! All future books will be on the kindle. Thanks hubby for the awesome Christmas present.
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