Goodreads Choice Awards Book Club discussion

This is the thread for the buddy read of Before I Go To Sleep by S.J. Watson beginning on September 7, 2013. Please feel free to add comments before, during, or after reading the book. Please use spoiler tags when appropriate. A page number (or another reference) is helpful when adding spoilers so that people know where you are in the book.

Happy reading!

About the book:

'As I sleep, my mind will erase everything I did today. I will wake up tomorrow as I did this morning. Thinking I'm still a child. Thinking I have a whole lifetime of choice ahead of me ...' Memories define us. So what if you lost yours every time you went to sleep? Your name, your identity, your past, even the people you love—all forgotten overnight. And the one person you trust may only be telling you half the story. Welcome to Christine's life.

Kristie, thank you once again for setting this thread. The date suits me fine. So I'm really looking forward to reading it in 'late' summer :)

is anyone allowed to join this buddy read or is it just for particular people?

Zara - first of all every time I type your name it autocorrects to Sara (my name spelled wrong) and second of all - don't be ridiculous - of course you are welcome to join. This is never exclusive. Unless I suppose if you become very vulgar and offensive to others. But I seriously doubt that. And if so I may actually enjoy it. hee hee.

Sarah wrote: "Zara - first of all every time I type your name it autocorrects to Sara (my name spelled wrong) and second of all - don't be ridiculous - of course you are welcome to join. This is never exclusive...."

OK Sarah. Thanks for this. Please count me in. This is a book I've been wanting to read for some time but never had a chance. I may need reminding closer to the time just in case I forget.

Thanks again.

Welcome Zara! We love having more people join the discussion.

Anima - You're welcome. Glad the date worked out! I feel like its so far away, but I know it will be here quickly.

Oh, I do believe the same :). And in the meantime, I have so many books to read, I think it will be much quicker than I presume LOL

I read this book last year---I really like it!!! I'll have to try to get it from the library and skim through it to refresh my memory! Due to the subject matter the story is quite repetitive but hang in there the ending is worth the wait!!!

Lori - Thank you for sharing your thoughts on the book. I like when I know what to expect, stylistically, from a book. Please do join in the conversation when we are reading also.

Glad to have you join us Lisa!

I'll be glad to join u

Excellent! Welcome Rida.

Hi everyone! I almost forgot about this one!! Is anyone reading it now? I'm planning to start in a couple days.

I'll probably be starting it tomorrow. I need to finish off Cuckoo's Calling, which will be tonight.

I'm horribly late with all this month's reads, so I will get to it next week probably. I try to catch up a little bit, and this week's schedule should create more opportunity to do it.

Seems like everyone is a bit behind on this one. That should work out well. :)

I've started it. Grabbed me from the first page - very good so far! Looking forward to hearing other's thoughts.

6% in and liking it already!

I won't bother with spoiler tags for this one as it's so close to the beginning ..... if your partner has no memory of their life would you really leave them on their own for the day? I get that someone has to work for money, but surely you'd find some kind of alternative to "Hi, I'm your husband. This is the living room, this is the kitchen. I have to leave you now. Bye"

I loved this book! It will be great to see all of your reactions as you read :-)

But then (view spoiler)[ DO NOT TRUST BEN (hide spoiler)] at the end of Chapter 1 says it all lol

15% in, and I'm beginning to think that (view spoiler)[Ben isn't really her husband. He's just been describing their life together and his answers were very vague. How did he not know what job she was working on the day of her 'accident', surely he'd remember that? He couldn't remember who she was sharing a house with when they first dated, plus other vague answers. (hide spoiler)] All very suspicious

Yes behind on everything, but I thought when I did get to it it would go quick.

I'm 25% in and enjoying it. Just when I think I have a handle on it, things change. Again.

I enjoyed this book more than I expected

I'm around 20% in, and I'm really intrigued and gripped by the story. I had difficulty to stop reading it today, and thus I was late for the meeting, that hasn't happened for a long time :)

This book reminds of the film titled Memento with Guy Pierce. I loved it, but it was really creepy at the same time.

I've been following along with this thread... I'll wait and join in on the discussion when you've finished it.

26% in - (view spoiler)[ So she's now had memories of being intimate with Ben and loving him so maybe my previous theory isn't right ..... (hide spoiler)] Aaarrrggghh, who to trust!?!

Loving this book so far, I just wish I had more time to dedicate to reading at the moment :/

Hoping to start tomorrow! :)

Lynn wrote: "6% in and liking it already!

I won't bother with spoiler tags for this one as it's so close to the beginning ..... if your partner has no memory of their life would you really leave them on their..."

i finished it. Internet connection was disabled for few days :( so wasnt able to join u guys. and Lynn, I dont think I would leave my partner specially when he needs you so much.

Ok, now 52% in and officially creeped out! The repetitiveness gets a bit tedious at times but I'm really enjoying it.

Starting tomorrow - finally! Had to finish up a couple other reads first.

I don't know when I will get to this book. I am so behind.

Anima - you are right - this book is a bit "memento-ish". Atleast she doesn't tattoo herself.... Lol

I have read this book last year and its a real page turner. Can't wait to hear how you all like it.

Karen, exactly LOL, although I think that he was forgeting a little bit more often, like few times a day, while she forgot only while fast asleep. Still, I think that the idea with a journal is much more helpful :)

I'm 50-something in, just finished reading about her visit to the ward, pretty heartbreaking to read her reactions / thoughts about her time there and her situation in general.

I'm 60% in and I don't know who to trust! Aaaarrrrrrggggggghhhhhhhh

An idea does keep popping into my head that (view spoiler)[Ben is the one that attacked her (went into a rage when he found out she was sleeping with someone else) but then I talk myself out of it. (hide spoiler)]. Truth is there is so many theories going around in my head but that one is the most persistent one.

I just bought it. Have to finish Water Falls Downand im going to start it. it looks good

Just finished. I have to say I had an inkling of the outcome about halfway thru but W-O-W. I really enjoyed reading this book.

I finished a few days ago, but this book is still with me. I must say it is one of the most engrossing books I've read this year, and not only a marvelous description of amnesiac patient's problems, but also an amazing thriller. It gave me goosebumps few times and made me read it withing 24 hours, which is not always the case with other reads. (view spoiler)[ I suspected the ending for sometime, actually it was the first thought I had when I started reading, but with so many various theories debated, I got confused. Still, although the ending was a little bit too happy for me, I like this book immensely. The last few lines reminded me of the ending in When She Woke, and annoyed me a little, but I understand the need of a little bit of suspence here. (hide spoiler)]. Overall, I was a surprising, full of tension and highly gripping read.

I started. The first scene was a little humorous.

Hmmpf! I am annoyed with the ending!

Same with me, Lynn! It was like taking shortcuts.

Im in too

Finished in one day. About the ending - (view spoiler)[ I remember thinking Ben was probably the one who assaulted her because of the affair but then thought it was the man she had the affair with - and started wondering if it was actually her husband that she may be living with or the other man when she awoke in the morning with the dream of her husband, a man with the scar, and it felt right. And then thinking it strange that Ed had not actually met Ben and thinking maybe the photos were doctored somehow. (hide spoiler)] So kind of predictable but not completely - but I like when there are clues.

I didn't like the ending either... It moved the book down a star for me. It was a let down that didn't match the rest of the book.

@ Anima - just started and how I am describing this book is very intrigued. It is really drawing me in.

Sarah, thanks for the recommendation, I've just added this book to my TBR list :)

I finally got to read this, and I liked it a lot. Yes, the ending was predictable, but the journey to get there very enjoyable. There were a few inconsistencies in the book, but nothing too bad. And apparently, the movie is coming out soon, with Nicole Kidman as Christine.