2026 Reading Challenge discussion

*Featured Buddy Read*
This buddy read is featured on the homepage and is pinned to the top of the June Buddy Reads folder. Otherwise it works just like every other buddy read!

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This thread is to discuss Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver.

Pages: 560 pages

Length: 1 month (June)

Participants: Valerie, Lorraine, Rebecca, Dominique, M, Desiré

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 }.

I've had this book on my TBR since it was released and just last week I finally found a secondhand copy for my collection.
I've heard nothing but rave reviews so I'm hopeful I'll love it too.
Has anyone read other works from this author?

Not me. It will be my first book from her.

I've read The Poisonwood Bible, and I thought it was a really enjoyable reading experience.

M wrote: "I've had this book on my TBR since it was released and just last week I finally found a secondhand copy for my collection.
I've heard nothing but rave reviews so I'm hopeful I'll love it too.
Has ..."

I read this book, and really liked it. Demon has a very unique voice that works. I also read The Poisonwood Bible, which has multiple POVs and she did a great job of distinguishing those also

This will be my first from her as well. My book club actually picked this for our June book. Will probably wait about 2 weeks to read it so I don't forget too much before my club meeting.

Desiré wrote: "This will be my first from her as well. My book club actually picked this for our June book. Will probably wait about 2 weeks to read it so I don't forget too much before my club meeting."
Ha ha - yes I know what you mean - I have to take a few notes to refer to if I read a book club book to early or I find my mind is completely blank.

Valerie wrote: "Desiré wrote: "This will be my first from her as well. My book club actually picked this for our June book. Will probably wait about 2 weeks to read it so I don't forget too much before my club mee..."

I finally started taking notes a few months ago, game changer lol.

Planning to start this tomorrow.

Read the first five chapters today. Great writing! She really captures his voice and pulls you straight into the story.

I really agree with you, Valerie and Denise, Demon Copperhead has a unique voice and it makes this book very interesting. I cannot stop reading it. It makes me want to read her other book: The Poisonwood bible.

Lorraine wrote: "I really agree with you, Valerie and Denise, Demon Copperhead has a unique voice and it makes this book very interesting. I cannot stop reading it. It makes me want to read her other book: The Pois..."

The Poisonwood Bible was very good. She also tried to give the sister different voices

End of chapter 22. Very powerful and compelling reading so far. It’s definitely grim, with some really devastating events, but Damon does seem to have characteristics and talents that suggest a little hope for his future.

I am almost done. It is one of these books that are so good you want to read more and more. I worry about him!

End of chapter 40. Definitely hooked. What I love is how she brings to life so many other characters and, apart from a few out and out villains, the shades of grey they all inhabit. No angels but all with a spark of humanity. (view spoiler)[ looks like we are leaving the temporary idyllic phase so I hope he (and several of the others) come out ok at the end. (hide spoiler)]

It's about 11pm where I live and while I have to be at work at 8am, I just finished another read and I reeeallly wanna jump into this one right now, haha.
Who needs sleep right?! Just a few chapters.... :))

M wrote: "It's about 11pm where I live and while I have to be at work at 8am, I just finished another read and I reeeallly wanna jump into this one right now, haha.
Who needs sleep right?! Just a few chapter..."

That's risky! If, like many of us, you get hooked there wont be a lot of sleep in the next few days! :-)

Finished. A fantastic book which recreates so skilfully a world inhabited by the people behind the statistics and makes them real and complex. The devil really is in the detail here! Her achievement is even greater when you consider that the community she describes is so often disparaged and looked down on. I like the fact that (view spoiler)[ she allows for a little hope at the end without making it seem too unrealistic- there are several characters (including Damon) who are still a work in progress - because she makes you care about them (hide spoiler)]
This is certainly a novel that hooks you in and leaves you thinking about its places and people after you finish.

This may have been my favorite read last year.

I am still blown away that this was not a real story, as it was written as if it was an autobiography with the details!

I'm a little stalled at chapter 19 - I'm not sure I love this narration/writing style at the moment (fresh from finishing a fantasy read) but I'm curious about Demon and I want to keep going. Something good has to happen for this kid right?!
Think I'mma do a little palate cleanse with some Stephen King and come back to this in a few days :)

I like it.

(view spoiler)[ I like the writing style of the book. The story was great, a bit slow at times and still enjoyed it.
This kid couldn't catch a break, from the moment he was born. Thank god he had the neighbors to give him a little bit of a family relationship. His mother dying on his birthday was just awful, I kept thinking that the husband might have done the deed to make it look like an overdose,
Was happy that he did find a place to stay with the coach but U-haul had to be an ass.

It was a surprise about Emmy, who I thought Demon was going to end up with but instead she was with Fast Forward and him with Dori. What were the chances of both of them dying the same like Demon's parents.

At least at the end, you had hope things were going to turn around for him, being sober and the potential relationship with Angus. (hide spoiler)]

A perfect book! I'm a bit surprised to say that, as I tried reading it last year and gave up after a few chapters, finding it boring. I always thought there's a right time and a wrong time to read certain books, and this one is proof of that.

Her writing style made me feel for the characters, especially Demon, who isn't always easy to like. I found this book to be a great story for understanding how some people go through major trauma and are still capable of building a fulfilling life afterward. This book gave me hope.

Now I want to read all her books!

I'm almost half way (Chapter 31) and I've not yet connected with Demon but I'm not so bored that I want to stop reading this.
Regardless though, I'm glad this was a suggested buddy read and that I'll soon be able to check this off my list.
Hoping to find more to love by the end.

Finished!
While I did not love this, I understand why so many do. I can see why this is so popular. There's some really beautiful writing here.
I just couldn't connect emotionally to anyone and nothing was surprising :(
Glad to see others enjoyed it though and to finally check it off my list!