The Girls is the story of Rose and Ruby Darlen, the world's oldest surviving craniopagus twins, starting from the tornado that they believe brought them to this world, through their first kiss, preparing for their milestone thirtieth birthday, dealing with loss and independence, and eventually "the end, which takes you back to the beginning". The Girls is an undeniably delightful read, an absolute page turner, in which the author deftly lures the reader into Rose and Ruby's life.

While their medical condition is an inseparable part of the book, I doubt it had anything to do with the amazing read that it turned out to be. Credit goes to the mastery over words and the innocence and honesty which you can almost feel radiating through the lines. What is also amazing is the way in which two voices have been skillfully and imaginatively intermingled, to reach a prefect balance, to present to the reader a story that is somehow one story and two stories at the same time.

Craniopagus or not, anyone can relate to this book - it is touching and heartrending, and one not to be missed.

Hi there.
It seems there are more people that have this book on there TBR shelf.

I was thinking, why not read it together?
it has been a long time that we did something like it.

The plan is to start reading this book in 2 weeks from now. It is Friday March 21st so that would be around....April 4


To be honest I am not sure how to organise this but let's first see if there is any interest.

Marlene
Msjoanna
Xeyra
Giz
Candy
Sunnie
boomda
Gategypsy
Nursiegirl

I have also discovered a reading guide. So if you guys want I can set up a disussion with these questions once we have read it, or in a final thread. . :)

I've never heard of the book. :blush:
Gosh it has been a long time since we done that. It was back on BookRelay and Missy tried to get us to read a Bill Bryson book together. I remember reading it and liking the book but the discussions didn't pan out well.

ETA:
I just read the book description of The Girls by Lori Lansen and it sounds great. Off to add it to my wish list. :lol:

I just read it last month as a bookray. I thought it was a great story!

I read it last year for my book group and thought it was great!

I have it on my shelf, so I thought I'd pipe up here in case the discussion gets going. I'm not sure exactly when I'll be able to get to it though as I'm working my way through certain books for exchanges and a couple other owed TBRs at the moment.

I read it last year (maybe the year before?)... Most of it was read at the Honda dealership when I was getting my car serviced, LOL...

I liked it a LOT and look forward to reading more of her work.

I have my copy ready to add to my TBR when I get those pesky owed books out of the way (though I can always squeeze it in somewhere if we start this thing earlier rather than later).

I snagged a copy from MBP in the VBB so I will join :)

I have ac opy languishing on Mt TBR so would like to join in unless I feel too guilty about it skipping the pile of TBRs I owe people.

Yes!. :bananadance:
I am gonna add your names to the first post.

See if more people like to join.

When will we read?

and how will we organise it?

Do we make a thread for page 1 to 1 hundred or chapter 1 till 5 (Just an example). so people that read slower know they can read that thread once they have read that part without being spoiled?


The book is 343 pages long.

Hey cheesy.Yes it has been ages.
Didn't we have a poll of some sorts with all kind of books people that people had suggested?
Then you could pick 2?


I voted but in the end I did not manage to get the book in time so could not participate.

I think maybe we should have a staged thread like you said Marleney

When are we starting? Should I start something else first?

I've just ordered a copy from amazon so I can play read too!

Can I join? I will move it to the top of Mt TBR.

OK well I am reading a short one so I'm ready to play I mean read whenever :)

Hey! YaY!! I didn't miss this! I just bought a copy of this book today :bananacheer: add me!

O God. What difficult questions. :blink:

When do you guys want to start?

I am nearly done with my book so I can start whenever.....

Do you want some time? let's say 2 weeks? are there people who want to join but not yet have the book?
wanna read it now?
Just say the word?

Up to you babe. mine hasn't arrived yet, but I'm sure I can catch up :)

In all honestly I'm pretty swamped with owed TBRs right now so 2-3 weeks would help me get caught up in at least... one of them! :lol: No, honestly, I'd rather not start it right this moment but I can probably squeeze it in in 2 weeks.

2 weeks-ish sounds good to me, too. As I understood it, there were still people waiting for their copies to arrive. I have mine :lol: but I'm also already reading three books for school right now, so I'm a little busy atm :wink:

I like the sound of two weeks two. I am hoping to get some dent into my TBRs this long week end, but I am flexible.

Oke, let us do that. we do 2 weeks., sunny will your book be there you think?

2 weeks time is good for me too.

what date is that then? About 1st April?

Oh yeah. Should come next week :)

Great and if people want to join but don't think they will make it in time please speak up. :rolleyes:

Gizzy. at around April 4th that would be.
I am already sitting here with a big grin. I am picturing all of you guys in front of me. Waking up, or going to bed and we all go to our shelves to pick up The Girls at the same day. :lol:

So is it a good idea to make 3/4 threads. For instance
The Girls Read Together page 1/87 .
thread 2: page 88 to 170
Thread 3 Page 171/255 +
Thread 4 Page 256/434

so let's say you have read a hundred pages you know you can read thread 1 without having to worry you will be spoiled.

Or three threads and a final one with questions.

Marlene, that wouldn't work well because of different editions. It might be best to go by chapters or parts and not pages. Pages won't match across different editions of the book.

Okay thanks Xeyra. had not thought of that. :kiss:

I have a copy won from the Best of 2007 Swap. Thing is, I don't know if I can start in two weeks as I have a ring book and also need to catch up on my TBR swap books from prehistoric time or else I will be banned from playing!
But I will at least follow the thread.

It would be great if you could join azuki. And bare in mind some people are slower readers than others.
The goal is that even if you are a very slow reader you can still discuss the book with us. :hug:

So looking forward to reading this :)

I had lots of extra reading time this weekend, so I'm doing better than anticipated on owed TBRs, so I'll slot this one in to read along with everyone.

Lol. I just ended up in the YBS with ........ Yes you guessed it.. The Girls!!! :rofl:

I know - how on earth did we end up with so many copies all of a sudden? :giggle:

I am all ready to read - I have Ender's Game on the go for the SFF book club and then it's all about The Girls :)

Yes same here.
I am still reading Patty Jane's House of Curl. Once I have read that I will pick another book and then it is time for The Girls. :bananadance:

My copy is here in my hot little hand. ABout half way through Real Murders and then it is next up!
ETA I'm bad, and just opened it to have a look and have read the first 2 chapters :blush:

SUNNY! :nono: :whip:

I don't know what to do - I have almost finished Ender's Game and I have until Friday before we start The Girls...

I'm still trying to finish up what I'm currently reading before turning to The Girls, but I should be ready to start on Friday. And Mr. Joanna is leaving town for two weeks on Sunday, so I should have a fair bit of extra reading time while he's away.

I'm sorry if I am just not reading in the right places, but have we decided how we are doing this? Is it by chapters?