2026 Reading Challenge discussion

This thread is to discuss Normal People by Sally Rooney.

Pages: 273 pages

Length: 1 month (February)

Participants: Sunny2, Emily, Rebecca, Krysti, Jen, Liz

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 }.

Whenever I do a buddy read, I like to google the book title + discussion questions. Here's one:

What do you think of the title “Normal People”? Do you think it is an appropriate title for the story? Are either Connell or Marianne “normal”?

I live with a philosopher, so I'm very well aware that no one is 'normal!' But that especially as teenagers, we mostly desperately want to fit in, have friends, be included. There do seem to be some people like Marianne, who appear to reject all offers of friendship and seem to prefer their own company. And there are plenty of people like Connell, seemingly carefree but desperately insecure about what people are thinking. I remember knowing people almost exactly like both of them at that age.

Hi 👋 I didn't get a chance to sign up for this buddy read but I would like to join. I just got a copy of this book from the library.

Starting next week! Finishing up demon copperhead first.

I finished this today. Did not enjoy it to say the least but I'll wait until more people have finished to share more of my thoughts.

@Emily- I'm very surprised to hear this.

I am about 1/3 of the way through. So far, the book reads like an angsty, poignant coming of age story, and I am really enjoying it.

Jen wrote: "Whenever I do a buddy read, I like to google the book title + discussion questions. Here's one:

What do you think of the title “Normal People”? Do you think it is an appropriate title for the stor..."

What's resonating with me the most is how young and clueless the two MCs are. I agree that "as teenagers, we mostly desperately want to fit in, have friends, be included" and it's so painful to watch it play out. I hope they can figure out their insecurites as the story unfolds.

It seems like most people are at least a few pages in, so here's another question:

What do you think initially draws the pair together?

I think that Connell feels he has to hide his intelligence to fit in. His friends are mostly interested in partying and sports, whereas he reads and wants to know more about the wider world. Marianne is the only person in Carricklea who also seems to care about things outside their school. Marianne is also desperately lonely, for all she cloaks herself in a mantel of disinterestedness. But she also sees in Connell that he's an intellectual, so she's happy to have someone to talk to on that level.

I am having a really hard time getting into this one. Did you all find it to be slow to start?

Krysti wrote: "I am having a really hard time getting into this one. Did you all find it to be slow to start?"

I ran out of books while on holiday in a country where I don't speak the language. The biggest bookstore in town had one shelf with about 100 English language titles on it, and this was the most interesting of the bunch. But I did really like it and I'm looking forward to watching the series

I read the book in two sittings. I also really liked it, but I am still trying to process the ending.

I finished this today. It grew on me quite a bit. I particularly liked the format with all the time jumps and how we got brief but meaningful snippets of their growth and their relationship over time.

Has anyone watched the TV show? I have next week free so I'm going to check it out.

I want to watch the show as well, but my research says it's on Hulu and I don't have that service 😩