Hooked on Books discussion

Members Starting the BR: Dede, Jessica and Danielle
Challenge: Toys/Objects Roundup
Book: The Shards by Bret Easton Ellis

Anyone is free to join in this Buddy Read! Happy Reading!

I'll be starting this one today, no later than in the morning.

I'm starting this one today too. Multi-tasking while working... so we'll see how far I get. But, will listen more after work for sure.

I may put my current book aside and start this.

I'm ready for this book to actually start. Very long intro.

Interesting that this a fiction book, but mc is the author.

Jessica wrote: "Interesting that this a fiction book, but mc is the author."

I'm typically not a fan of this. Borderline of acceptable was Chasing the Boogeyman, otherwise I normally don't like it.

I'm still early... still in ch 1 (4% in)... but... I don't have the warm & fuzzies.

This is the first book i've read like this.

So... I had not read the blurb. Going in completely blind. This was a book club book I needed to do which is why it was on my list. But can I just say I have absolutely no idea where this book is going??!!?!? 7% in ... and still very meandering. There is a plot, yeah?

I believe so. I didn't read the whole blurb, but I believe it's a coming of age story. I am at 16% and am really liking it. No one is overly likeable, but I am good with that. Sometimes I like reading a good trainwreck. Not sure this will be that, but it's possible. I mean he wrote Less Than Zero and American Psycho so. . .

Jessica wrote: "I believe so. I didn't read the whole blurb, but I believe it's a coming of age story. I am at 16% and am really liking it. No one is overly likeable, but I am good with that. Sometimes I like read..."

LOL @ "Sometimes I like reading a good trainwreck"

I mean... there have been, both in the prologue (or ch 1) mentions of a serial killer, The Trawler, so I wonder if that's just backdrop or if the book will incorporate more of that.

... ok, I'm getting more curious, which is a good sign.

keeping my mouth zipped

Debbie's father. . .ewww

I will say... I typically do not care for coming of age stories.

So how long do you think this book would be if we took out the song references?

Also, I loathe Elvis Costello.

Random thought while in ch 6 at about ~24%

(view spoiler)[ so is it bad if I root for the MC to like get murdered?
I have a very strong dislike of him. (hide spoiler)]

danielle wrote: "Random thought while in ch 6 at about ~24%

so is it bad if I root for the MC to like get murdered?
I have a very strong dislike of him. "

LOL. (view spoiler)[ well you know that's not going to happen since it's all from his POV and he talks about how he's talking about the past. (hide spoiler)]

Jessica wrote: "Debbie's father. . .ewww"

100% yes …. But so many sleazy characters. Not forgiving some just because they are young.

Jessica wrote: "danielle wrote: "Random thought while in ch 6 at about ~24%

M
I have a very strong dislike of him. "

LOL. [spoilers removed]"

Yeah. For the record, I never liked Less than Zero.

I haven't started this book yet. I should start tonight though

I might be in the minority, but I’m just going to say… if this wasn’t for a challenge and part of a BR, I would have DNF’d this already.

So I don’t detest it as much as I did… but it still reminds me of a bad 80’s coming of age story. Very… rambling.

danielle wrote: "I might be in the minority, but I’m just going to say… if this wasn’t for a challenge and part of a BR, I would have DNF’d this already."

I agree.. I mean I normally push through a book cause I hate to DNF... The narrator is also sooo slow.

Dede wrote: "danielle wrote: "I might be in the minority, but I’m just going to say… if this wasn’t for a challenge and part of a BR, I would have DNF’d this already."

I agree.. I mean I normally push through ..."

and this is why I have the speed way up!

I made it to 65% (ch 18). It's still a rambling, pointless mess.

BUT... I should finish at some point tomorrow.

danielle wrote: "Jessica wrote: "danielle wrote: "Random thought while in ch 6 at about ~24%

M
I have a very strong dislike of him. "

LOL. [spoilers removed]"

Yeah. For the record, I never liked Less than Zero."

Never read nor saw the movie. Very curious if the book also had 10 million music references. I watched American Psycho so I know he was obsessed with Huey Lewis and the News.

danielle wrote: "I might be in the minority, but I’m just going to say… if this wasn’t for a challenge and part of a BR, I would have DNF’d this already."

Ah! So me with The Wish Collector.

Jessica wrote: "danielle wrote: "I might be in the minority, but I’m just going to say… if this wasn’t for a challenge and part of a BR, I would have DNF’d this already."

Ah! So me with The Wish Collector."

Sounds like!

Ugh! The Polo Club scene!

So do we just not have as many serial killers these days? I feel like there were a ton in late 70s/80s and you don't really hear anything these days. Or am I just out of the loop.

Okay, I am about 60% in and these people are so sleezy.. I will be so glad when I get done with this book.

danielle wrote: "I made it to 65% (ch 18). It's still a rambling, pointless mess.

BUT... I should finish at some point tomorrow."

I so agree with this statement. I should be finished today!

I'm at 57% and i am still liking it. They are crass and unlikeable. It makes me uncomfortable in parts, but such a good trainwreck. Not my favorite unlikeable character book, but still enjoying it.

Jessica wrote: "So do we just not have as many serial killers these days? I feel like there were a ton in late 70s/80s and you don't really hear anything these days. Or am I just out of the loop."

Was easier to get away with, and less forensics & DNA testing. So harder to be successful with it today

I do feel bad for Debbie.

So I will admit. This could be much shorter.

I feel so bad for Debbie also.

The tape! But also why did he not tell anyone! Ugh!

Now I am annoyed. If you know someone is receiving/has signs of a serial killers MO, whether person is alive or dead. Why wouldn't you tell the police your beliefs? 85% chapter 26 (view spoiler)[ Like as soon as Bret knew about the phone call/poster connection for Matt, tell the police and/or his parents. Also same with Debbie. I know she didn't believe him, but at least let the police know. Also if its Debbie getting the warning signs, then why is Bret so fixated on something happening to Susan and not Debbie. I just finished the part of the whole shit show of the conversation between the principal and Bret. And on that note, why would an adult call the principal to accuse a student of having a relationship with her husband? What does that have anything to do with school? (hide spoiler)]

I hate the way the all treat Tom.

89% (view spoiler)[ dude, why didn't Bret say anything to the officers when Debbie's horse was mutilated. so dumb!!!!! (hide spoiler)]

I'm trying to catch up to the spoiler comments so I can comment!!! ... I'm in ch 24

Chapter 26 - up to 85%

(view spoiler)[It WAS a strange conversation for a student principal to have. But ... I assume these all just rich kid issues? The extra privileges - with the principal, having your parents gone & on vacation for 2+ months.

But, again... JUST MORE RAMBLING. Pointless rambling. If there is an actual plot, it's well disguised. LOL (hide spoiler)]

Jessica wrote: "Now I am annoyed. If you know someone is receiving/has signs of a serial killers MO, whether person is alive or dead. Why wouldn't you tell the police your beliefs? 85% chapter 26 [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[Like that... great example of whatever these special privileges are for this rich kid/students. Not only the Debbie's mom calling the principals to tell him about Brett & Terry, but the fact that then casually mention her being an alcoholic. Like THAT's an appropriate or even likely conversation. Which brings me back to an earlier thought that this is a very unreliable narrator since I suspect a lot of what he says is BS. (hide spoiler)]

Finished! 4 stars for me.

(view spoiler)[Oh Robert. You definitely just had all the bad luck! So I am guessing he never went into the basement of the aunt's house and his stalkers/ "unknown acolytes" would just sneak into the house when he wasn't there. Also poor Tom. Susan could have just broken up with him at the beginning of the year like she obviously wanted to. Everyone knew, but Tom. And as unlikeable as Bret was, Susan sucked at keeping his secrets. Such a bad best friend. (hide spoiler)]

finished. scant, barely 3 stars

Jessica wrote: "[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[I totally think Brett attacked Thom & Susan. They were all horrid in their own way... except maybe Matt.
Unlikeable bunch. Didn't trust the narrator. Glad he suffered in his last year of school (even if fictional. LOL

Am happy to be done with this one. Pretty much can safely say I'll never do one by him again!
(hide spoiler)]

I am so glad I am finished with this book. I don't think I will read anymore by him.. Just a lot of unnecessary words. Could have easily been 300 pages and still that is probably too long. lol