The Librarian's Husband's Book Club discussion

In September, we’re reading Normal People by Sally Rooney—a story that begins in the classrooms and hallways of school and follows Connell and Marianne as their lives intertwine long after graduation.

Before you start, what do you expect from this exploration of young love, shifting power dynamics, and the ways school relationships can shape us into adulthood?

Share your first impressions or predictions below!

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At school Connell and Marianne pretend not to know each other. He’s popular and well-adjusted, star of the school soccer team while she is lonely, proud, and intensely private. But when Connell comes to pick his mother up from her housekeeping job at Marianne’s house, a strange and indelible connection grows between the two teenagers - one they are determined to conceal.

A year later, they’re both studying at Trinity College in Dublin. Marianne has found her feet in a new social world while Connell hangs at the sidelines, shy and uncertain. Throughout their years in college, Marianne and Connell circle one another, straying toward other people and possibilities but always magnetically, irresistibly drawn back together. Then, as she veers into self-destruction and he begins to search for meaning elsewhere, each must confront how far they are willing to go to save the other.

I don't really know what to expect as it is a topic / events that I usually do not explore. In thinking about shifting power dynamics, we will probably be faced with decisions being made based on peer pressure. In turn, the pressures could well influence self-perspectives that would continue to follow into adulthood until receiving contrasting affirmations. Based on the first paragraph it would seem that it begins with the all too familiar great divide of popularity, which certainly supports the title, Normal People.

On a totally different note, one of my high school friends still lives, breathes, and dwells on our high school years which was eons ago. To me it seems odd but it's almost as if she hasn't left the influences from peers behind despite the decades. I often wonder why and can't help but think maybe it was the highlight of her life at that time and left such an impression that it continues to color her adult life.

I received this book from the library and I am ready to start it. I did not read many reviews, but Libby to it as a fantastic novel however, good reads give it a 3.81 rating. I did not realize that this was a series on Hulu, but Libby has advised me of this.

Julie wrote: "I received this book from the library and I am ready to start it. I did not read many reviews, but Libby to it as a fantastic novel however, good reads give it a 3.81 rating. I did not realize that..."

I did not know it was a series.

I have this book from Libby and am starting today. But this genre is not my typical genre.