Book Club Sets

Book Club Author Suggestion: Liane Moriarty

"I think there’s a certain therapeutic quality in writing. You get to work through feelings, fears, and anxieties on the page." -- Laine Moriarty

By Regan Harper: Published on
Book Club Sets
Black and white photo of Laine Moriarty sitting in a chair wearing a dark blazer and white button up shirt. Sitting in a chair directly facing the camera.

Brief Bio:

Liane Moriarty is an internationally bestselling Australian author known for her contemporary fiction that often centers around themes of family, friendship, marriage, and the secrets lurking beneath everyday lives. Born on November 15, 1966, in Sydney, Australia, Moriarty worked in advertising and marketing before turning to writing full-time. She completed her first novel as part of a graduate program at Macquarie University, where she earned her master’s degree in Creative Writing.

Known for her sharp wit and exploration of complex relationships, Moriarty’s writing is often celebrated for its relatable characters and insightful portrayals of suburban life. Many of Moriarty’s books focus on the complexities of female friendships and relationships, often highlighting how small misunderstandings or concealed secrets can have significant consequences. Her authentic portrayal of female dynamics has resonated widely with readers. Her approach to contemporary issues—such as marriage, parenting, mental health, and societal pressures—has helped shape the genre of domestic suspense and “upmarket fiction,” blending literary qualities with commercial appeal.

Although Moriarty doesn’t write typical thrillers, her novels incorporate suspense and mystery elements. Her readers enjoy uncovering secrets bit by bit, which keeps them engaged throughout her narratives. Her books have been translated into multiple languages, and she remains one of Australia’s most prominent and beloved contemporary authors.

Available Works in the Colorado Book Club Resource

The Book Club Resource has 8+ copies of each title available for 8 weeks at a time to reading groups across the state. The descriptions below were taken from Amazon.com.

The Husband’s Secret (2013) | Discussion Questions

At the heart of The Husband’s Secret is a letter that’s not meant to be read

My darling Cecilia, if you’re reading this, then I’ve died…

Imagine that your husband wrote you a letter, to be opened after his death. Imagine, too, that the letter contains his deepest, darkest secret—something with the potential to destroy not just the life you built together, but the lives of others as well. Imagine, then, that you stumble across that letter while your husband is still very much alive. . . .

Cecilia Fitzpatrick has achieved it all—she’s an incredibly successful businesswoman, a pillar of her small community, and a devoted wife and mother. Her life is as orderly and spotless as her home. But that letter is about to change everything, and not just for her: Rachel and Tess barely know Cecilia—or each other—but they too are about to feel the earth-shattering repercussions of her husband’s secret.

Big Little Lies (2014) | Discussion Questions

A murder…A tragic accident…Or just parents behaving badly? What’s indisputable is that someone is dead.

Madeline is a force to be reckoned with. She’s funny, biting, and passionate; she remembers everything and forgives no one. Celeste is the kind of beautiful woman who makes the world stop and stare but she is paying a price for the illusion of perfection. New to town, single mom Jane is so young that another mother mistakes her for a nanny. She comes with a mysterious past and a sadness beyond her years. These three women are at different crossroads, but they will all wind up in the same shocking place.

Big Little Lies is a brilliant take on ex-husbands and second wives, mothers and daughters, schoolyard scandal, and the little lies that can turn lethal.

A Few Notable Facts

  • Liane Moriarty made history with her novel Big Little Lies, becoming the first Australian author to debut at #1 on the New York Times bestseller list.
  • Moriarty’s sister, Jaclyn Moriarty, is also an author. Watching Jaclyn’s success motivated Liane to write her first novel, Three Wishes.
  • Moriarty’s novels frequently explore themes of hidden truths, psychological complexity, and the intersection of ordinary and extraordinary events. Her ability to craft multi-layered characters and suspenseful plots has made her a favorite in contemporary fiction.
  • Before becoming a full-time novelist, Moriarty worked as a copywriter in advertising and published material for children. This experience helped her develop a knack for engaging storytelling and creativity in her writing.
  • Moriarty lives in Sydney, Australia, where she balances writing with family life. Her Australian roots often provide a unique setting and cultural lens in her novels.
  • Liane Moriarty wrote her first story, The Mystery of Dead Man’s Island, at the age of 10. Her father paid her one dollar for the story, marking the beginning of her writing journey.
  • The idea for Big Little Lies was sparked when Moriarty learned about the trend of children’s birthday parties ending with aggressive arguments among parents. She used this as a foundation for exploring larger issues around adult conflicts and secrets.
  • Moriarty has said she prefers to write from home and enjoys following a structured routine when writing a novel. She typically plans out her stories in advance and develops her characters through several drafts, a process she calls both exhausting and exhilarating.
  • Moriarty initially used a pseudonym for some of her early writing projects, including children’s books, until she gained enough confidence to publish under her own name.
  • After the success of Big Little Lies, Moriarty was asked to consider a sequel or prequel to expand on her characters’ backstories. She explored new ideas, including expanding into other characters’ perspectives, though she has not confirmed a full sequel.
  • Moriarty’s commercial and critical success landed her on The Australian Financial Review’s “Top 100 Most Powerful People in Australian Culture” list, recognizing her influence in both literature and television.

Awards and Recognition

Liane Moriarty has received several awards and nominations for her bestselling novels, which blend suspense, wit, and insight into human relationships. Her work continues to garner critical acclaim and a loyal global following, showcasing her success in both literature and on-screen adaptations.

Australian Book Industry Awards (ABIA)

  • Big Little Lies won the 2015 ABIA General Fiction Book of the Year.
  • The Husband’s Secret won the 2014 ABIA General Fiction Book of the Year.

Goodreads Choice Awards

  • Big Little Lies won the 2014 Goodreads Choice Award for Best Fiction.
  • Nine Perfect Strangers was a finalist in the 2018 Goodreads Choice Awards for Best Fiction.

Selected Quotations:

  • “I always say that my dream career is one where I’d only write first drafts. For me, first drafts are such a joy… It’s only on the first draft that I feel a wonderful sense of creative freedom.”
  • “I’m always fascinated by the secrets people keep. You never really know what’s going on in someone’s life.”
  • “There’s this tension in my writing between what we present to the world and what’s going on beneath the surface. I love pulling back that curtain.”
  • “I often find myself wondering, what is the big lie in someone’s life? And what are the consequences of that lie being revealed?”
  • “I try to make sure that every character in my books, even the villains, get a chance to tell their story. I want readers to empathize with all of them.”
  • “There’s a lot of pressure to know exactly who you are and what you want in life. I think it’s okay to change your mind, to shift your priorities.”
  • Friends and family do not believe you write fiction. They truly believe that every word you write is either autobiographical or based on them. I once had a character say that she never wanted to be invited to another children’s birthday party, and I never received another children’s birthday party invitation ever again.
  • “I’m interested in what happens when ordinary people make extraordinary choices or are put in extraordinary situations.”
  • “As a writer, my goal is to keep the reader turning the pages. I want them to stay up too late, to not want to put the book down.”
  • “I don’t necessarily set out to write stories with big lessons. I want to entertain and maybe make people think a little differently about the world.”

Sources

Book club sets are circulated to participating libraries via the CLiC courier. Read all about the program on the Book Club Resource landing page. If you are interested in receiving book club sets but are not already a member library, use the online form to get signed up.

Since the BCR has always relied on book donations, we are deeply grateful to all of the institutions and individuals that have donated sets and helped make the collection stronger. Please contact bookclub@coloradovirtuallibrary.org for questions or to discuss donations.

Regan Harper
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