2025 & 2026 Reading Challenge discussion

This thread is to discuss Dumplin' by Julie Murphy, the first book in the Dumplin' series.

Pages: 371 pages

Length: 1 Month (September)

Participants: D.L., Patricia, Lynn.

Everyone reads at their own pace during a Buddy Read. Because participants can be at different parts of the book at different times, it is extremely important to mark spoilers so that the book is not ruined for someone who is not as far along as others!!!

Mark spoilers by placing {spoiler} before the text and {/spoiler} after the text but use the < and > instead of the { and }.


Happy Buddy Reading!

I'm excited to read this one:D

I would love to jump in on this as well, this book sounds incredibly interesting!

My library has it available so I will be giving this one a try.

I am at about 25% in, and I loved the talk Lucy had with Will, about how one keeps on putting off doing what they like in fear of what others will think. It spoke to me, it felt. Very touching. Loving this book so far!

I'll read this one first in September since you've already started, Saha!

I have read through the first 8 chapters, ready for page 54.
I really hope that Bo (view spoiler)[doesn't mess Willowdean over. I would personally strangle that boy if he is not being sincere in his attention to her. And kissing her! He appears to be very stoic, which kinda worries me on her behalf!

Willowdean's mother. I don't know. I don't hold much stock in "beauty pageants," though I did participate in a few local ones as a teenager. But as soon as I had children and reached the age of 20 or so, I now see them as worse than useless...but that's just my own personal feeling. I particularly despise those events that glamorize and otherwise treat very young children as adults. Ugh. Jonbenet Ramsey probably being one of the most well-known examples of such exploitation. I guess others shouldn't fault a woman like her for continuing to advocate for and support such a cause. It's obvious that it is a most important aspect of her life, many years later. I can't help but feel as if she does this more for her own satisfaction of still fitting in the same dress, etc., as well as the continuing attention she is paid as a result of those 'supportive actions' though. You know, "Oh, it's for the community overall," when in actuality it just allows her to remain the center of attention. But I may be misjudging the woman...

I find it interesting that Willowdean's Aunt Lucy weighed almost 500 pounds and she was a biological sister to Willowdean's mother, who appears to be obsessive about maintaining her weight as she ages. Perhaps her obsession with weight may be at least partially due to a desire not to become obese as her sister was. Though each body is unique and different, so while it may be possible for one person to maintain their weight, it may be just as impossible for the other to do so...for whatever reasons. I guess I latched onto this because I must constantly exercise/expend calories and limit my food intake to halfway control my weight as an adult (especially after bearing 3 children) although I was super-skinny as a child/teenager even though I was a rather big eater. So I can kinda relate to both of these women! :)

Callie. I believe she represents the bulk of society in her attitude toward Willowdean as a possible beauty queen pageant participant. And I can easily understand Willowdean's hurt at such an attitude. I really feel for her in that regard.

Millie and Amanda. I was so proud of her for distracting Millie from the male bullies awaiting her arrival at her vehicle after school. That was so very kind of her. I feel as if she may pay in the future for that act of kindness, however. Those bullies will likely publicly humiliate her in retaliation at some time in the future... Even as a child I always tried to get to know the people who were "different" in my school. So I, the skinniest person in my school, was best friends with one of the heaviest people in my school. Mainly because I liked her and liked being around her. She was a fun person and I was glad I had gotten to know her. I always felt like I was "different" and wanted to befriend others who might feel the same way if possible. So yay for Will for being a good person and trying to watch out for others.

Bo. I like him, I think. I loved that he left a red sucker for Willowdean in her locker. I love that he wanted to watch a meteor shower with her. (That was one of the first things my current husband and I ever did together!) I am gathering that he is no longer the BMOC jock at his private school due to an injury/bad knee? Perhaps that has made him more sensitive to others? I don't know. He just better be good to Willowdean! (hide spoiler)]

Sorry for the tome! I've just had many reactions to this book and I'm only about 15% into it! LOL

I have read the first 30 chapters, ready for page 166.
(view spoiler)[Wow. So I was correct in linking Rosie's obsession with maintaining her weight at an acceptable level with her sister Lucy's obesity. Though she very obviously is now emotionally abusing her own daughter as a result... Sad. Why is it so difficult for parents to accept children with unconditional positive regard? IMO, nothing positive is accomplished as a result of their judgmental and discriminatory behaviors and attitudes.

Bo. I have so much respect for Willowdean for her rejection of Bo's 'secret' relationship with her and his neglect of informing her he would be a fellow classmate at her public school in the fall. I'm not sure exactly what his story is with regard to not returning to private school, but it really doesn't matter, at least to me. It was a betrayal of Willowdean and while I believe it would have been much better for her to have talked with him about it, I totally get her shutting him out.

I was also thrilled with her realization that just because another boy had asked her out on a date, she didn't have to pretend it was great or wonderful, or anything other than just what it was. She didn't 'sell herself out' just to have a relationship. She wants to be happy in a relationship. Good for her!

I had to chuckle at the fact that the other three misfits in Willowdean's school are also going to 'revolutionize' the beauty pageant! Awesome!

And I do understand both Willowdean's and El's positions regarding participating in the beauty pageant. I don't blame either of them for their reactions, though, in effect, IMO. El does have the right to participate just as much as anyone else. It is rather obvious to me that these two have definitely grown apart and will probably lead very different lives from here on out, but that would still be very hurtful, especially to Willowdean.

I love how Willowdean stood up to her mom. Good for her!

And how about Willowdean's kneeing of Patrick Thomas? I said out loud, "Yes!" Just what that little asshole deserved, IMO! :) (hide spoiler)]

I trust others are reading this as well... :)

I'm loving it and plan to finish today, but will keep checking the discussion thread throughout the month.

I finished and loved it. Murphy's characters are so well-written and feel so realistic to me! I particularly appreciated the unexpected twists and turns near the end and am so very grateful that (view spoiler)[Bo did turn out to be genuine and sincere. I did feel a bit for Mitch's situation, and yet, they were all learning how to go about this relationship business, were they not? :) (hide spoiler)]
I then watched the movie and while it was okay, they really took (IMO, at least) a ton of artistic license from the book. (There is a brief cameo of the author at the end as one of the crowd.) Then I watched the Dolly Parton doumentary on Netflix. That woman is definitely a savant. She has at least 1000 more songs written that have never been recorded. Unbelievable. I plan to read more of Murphy's writing...

Lynn wrote: "I finished and loved it. Murphy's characters are so well-written and feel so realistic to me! I particularly appreciated the unexpected twists and turns near the end and am so very grateful that [s..."

I'm glad you already finished reading this one Lynn:)

I'll be anxious to see others' reactions to it!

I finished it last weekend and only now had a few moments to comment.

I knew from the very first chapters that this would be a hard book for me. As a former teenage chubster, it brought back so many feelings and memories. I had a Bo in my life at the time and I am sad to say, I did not have Will's willpower to not only stand up for myself, but also not feel bad about it.

I am very interested in reading more of this author btw if anyone else is up for it!

I am late to the party as usual, but I will start reading this tonight. :)

Saha wrote: "I finished it last weekend and only now had a few moments to comment.

I knew from the very first chapters that this would be a hard book for me. As a former teenage chubster, it brought back so many feelings and memories. I had a Bo in my life at the time and I am sad to say, I did not have Will's willpower to not only stand up for myself, but also not feel bad about it.

I am very interested in reading more of this author btw if anyone else is up for it!"

You certainly have a very empathetic attachment to this whole story arc. Glad to know it felt realistic to you.

I would definitely be up for more of Murphy's writing! I would like to read the next two in this series. I also thought Ramona Blue looked interesting.

D.L. wrote: "I am late to the party as usual, but I will start reading this tonight. :)"

No problem! I hope you enjoy it.

I did just finish it and I really really enjoyed it. I think as a mature adult now (ha! if only) I kinda want to take one star away due to the absolute dumbassness of teenagers, but all in all this was a lovely read and I stand with Willowdean. I wish he didn't make so many assumptions about the world around her and let Bo be her boo earlier on, but ah well... sometimes, good things come to those who wait :)

Saha wrote: "I did just finish it and I really really enjoyed it. I think as a mature adult now (ha! if only) I kinda want to take one star away due to the absolute dumbassness of teenagers, but all in all this..."
Love your comment regarding a "mature adult"! :)

The dumbassness is realistic, however! :) Kinda glad I don't remember just how much of a dumbass I really was! LOL