Normal People

Jackie.Davidson shared a tip "My first read from Sally Rooney. Engaging, disturbing, and tender. What a great storyteller. Could not put this down. Looking forward to more of her work."

Cinnamon_ shared a tip "It was highkey really depressing. I also enjoyed reading it. I related to the two characters it focuses on quite a bit. Would def recommend this book to people who like sad romance books."

shahanaz_bhuiyan shared a tip "A beautiful book about two complex persons. Very relatable. Very touching story. One of favorite book of all time! #drama #emotional #complex #heartwarming"

allofakind shared a tip "Honestly, this book took me a while to decide if I liked it or not. I read it in a book club and many people had the opinion that actually, no, they did not like it. Or, rather, they didn't like the characters. But we all came to the same consensus: no matter how absolutely awful Marianne and Connell were to each other, they truly were so relatable and unfortunately normal people. Honestly, I liked Connell. I think he was awful at the beginning, but he was also still just a kid, and Marianne ended up going through so much worse than him just not telling anyone about their relationship. He ends up struggling with anxiety and even depression and I think I related quite well to him, in that he felt like my more inner self. I also found myself relating to Marianne, in the ways her relationships devolved over the years, her constantly searching for a guy but believing she didn't deserve a good one. Luckily for me, I was able to escape that before I got too badly scarred, but we can't say the same for Marianne. My book club decided that the reason we all did not like the main characters is because they were too realistic. They were making decisions that they shouldn't have made, out of pure emotion or lack of communication, and it was frustrating. But that's what normal people do, now isn't it?"

sarah_springer_7138 shared a tip "Verity by Colleen Hoover, On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong, and One Day in December by Josie Silver all got 5 stars from me!!"

alliegrooms shared a tip "A modern classic, Normal People tells a story about two people from two different world’s who come together in the most generic, yet extraordinary way. Rooney writes of love, heart break, and all the complications of life in between."

emily_mitchell_5239 shared a tip "I really enjoyed the series and the book brought deeper understanding of the characters. That said, the series does a really good job so it’s not one where I say the book is a must. #tv_shows_that_were_books"

justine_somogyi shared a tip "Ooh, that’s a tough one. I think One True Thing and Every Last One by Anna Quindlen are up there for me. Also really loved A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara."

hayrah shared a tip "the plot confused me a lot,,, i loved marianne & connell’s friendship a lot tho. the writing was absolutely amazing n made the book way better than it actually is. (2.5-3/5)"

elizabeth_avalos shared a tip "Agree with others who said the show was better than the book. I think that’s because the book presents the characters as a bit more dull and flat than they are intended. The events in this book are so dependent on the unspoken intricacies in relationships such as body language and tone that it doesn’t always translate when reading."

darian_marquez shared a tip "The whole book is great, but the part that stuck out to me was the scene where Marian asked Connell to hurt her and he refused. It was such a symbolic scene, because it showed how much he truly respected and care about her. As well as the hurt and guilt Marian felt. If anything that whole chapter where that happen was great. Connell warning Marian's brother to never hurt her again, and just showing Marian that she didn't deserve to be punished. Wbu?"

s_r_366 shared a tip "It’s been hard to find a book that is both profound, and a compelling romance like this one is. But recently, I’ve really enjoyed The Hating Game and The Kiss Quotient, which are definitely in a different genre, but enjoyable reads nonetheless."

whitney_anderson_6202 shared a tip "I watched the show before reading the book. I loved the vulnerability of the show and was not disappointed after reading the book as well."

cuttingyourownbangs shared a tip "I liked the book, but it hurt my feelings. I’m glad I read it, but I don’t know if I would recommend it to a friend. But it was really quite good. Also, shout out to for another artist from Mayo doing the Northwest proud."

alicia_2671 shared a tip "After watching this miniseries I read the book! So obsessed with these characters and Marianne has probably become my all time favorite fictional character."

ada_r shared a tip "I hated and loved this book at the same time; there was honestly no plot but I just grew so attached to the characters, I didn’t want to stop reading about them"

izabell.Krystal shared a tip "This book shows you the minds of two people who are in love with each other but are so torn apart/affected by the words + opinions of the people in their worlds & by the brokeness of themselves that they dont realize how completely enamored with each other they are! Beautiful Book."

aubri_aly shared a tip "The song of achilles by Madeline Miller is really great but it's based on Greek mythology. Also, Daisy Jones and the six is one of my favorites by Taylor Jenkins read. Another great book is a list of cages by Robin roe but it deals with abuse grief etc."

aubri_aly shared a tip "The song of achilles by Madeline Miller is really great but it's based on Greek mythology. Also, Daisy Jones and the six is one of my favorites by Taylor Jenkins read. Another great book is a list of cages by Robin roe but it deals with abuse grief etc. Hope these help^"

brooke_bunte shared a tip "The writing style and natural characters were gripping — I finished this novel in 2.5 days. The tone of this book stands alone and uniquely against other coming of age novels."

jillian_summers shared a tip "It was a really good book to show relationships and how they change over time. Not really what I was expecting but would recommend. Really like her style of writing. 3/5 stars #romance #normalpeople #sallyrooney"

geny_teddy shared a tip "One of my all time favorites! I loved the realistic romance and depiction of anxiety, I also loved that I didnt really like that the author is not afraid to make her characters unlikable sometimes and yet still manages to make readers love them more."

abigale_lavigne shared a tip "A couple. I’ve finished Then She Was Gone and that was really good along with The Companion by Katie Alender and that was amazing"

o_b_180 shared a tip "Hi, I have several: The song of Achilles; Sometimes a great notion; Maybe you should talk to Someone; Oryx and Crake; Tiny Beautiful Things; the Elegance of the Hedgehog. What about you?"

brandie_register shared a tip "Recently I read a book called 'This Close to Okay' which I really enjoyed. It was a heavier read with a friendship formed out of struggles. My absolute favorite book that I have read recently isn't in the same genre. It is a kind-of mystery/romance. It's titled 'More Of Us to the West'. Disclaimer: It ends in a cliffhanger and the second novel will not be complete until late summer."

caitlin_walker_6099 shared a tip "could be sad at times, but really understands that everyone has there stuff they’re going through and that no one is really “normal”"

sienna_putmon shared a tip "Volume 1 and 2 of the poem book "Soft Thorns" is my new all time favorite. Also the mystery book " Notes on a Silencing " is amazing"

pame_ shared a tip "Honestly haven’t been reading much normal people adjacent books lately. Currently reading Rebecca by du maurier and sense and sensibility by Jane Austen"

christina_aje shared a tip "Great book i think my favorite part was when Marianne and Connell met each after highschool at a party it was funny to see how shocked Connell was when he saw her🤣"

briana_vargas_8825 shared a tip "Loved itttt, when I first finished it I was a little mad at the ending but then I realized I knew what was gonna happen anyways and it was just amazing. I loved how different Connell and Marianne are from every one else and how the understand eachother."

andrea_brudniak shared a tip "This book is an exemplary story about real and young love. The characters had such a strong connection that felt so real, along with its awkwardness. I do have to say the ending could have been better, it’s almost as if the author got bored and stopped writing. But I recommend it! It leaves you pondering on what true love is."

priscillaa.sandoval shared a tip "read the first half all in one night and loved it but the second half wasnt as good and the author would skip multiple months and i personally didn’t like it"

maddie_foradori_5390 shared a tip "I didn’t understand the point of this till I had almost finished it, but once I figured it out everything fit together like a giant puzzle. My first 5/5 in a while lol"

val_roche shared a tip "I did enjoy the story, but one thing that did bother me while reading was the lack of quotation marks which made the dialogue sometimes difficult to follow"

zoey_gonzales shared a tip "It’s a story about real people, real problems, real love, and real relationships! My main take is it’s real and there a certain comfort in that.1"

volsaire shared a tip "Absolutely loved it. Heart wrenching, fantastic piece of literary fiction. If you love classic novels and commentary, you will probably love this. The writing style mimics a stream of consciousness, so Rooney truly gets you into the head of the main characters. I found myself upset that the book was over, because I simply didn't want it to end. I could have read about these two for a very long time."

ella_leitman_dixon shared a tip "A book that changed my approach to romance for 500, Alex! This book made me need therapy and i’m still working through it. I love this novel and I love Paul Mescal and Daisy so the adaptation was a hit for me. Literally can’t wait for the next Rooney to drop."

ashley_colon_ramirez shared a tip "Overall a great story line. You are able to connect with the book in so many ways with real life events and emotions. I didn’t like her lack of quotations and using more of “she said”. I felt some parts of the book were dragging on, but then would grab my attention again. Easy read, very connective. Haven’t watched it on Hulu yet but interested to see how much the book is alike to the show."