Sometimes it's the most ordinary, familiar things in life that are the most terrifying.
At least that's the case in February's MashableReads selection, psychological thriller The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins.
[seealso slug="station-eleven-emily-mandel-mashablereads"]
Throughout the novel, readers follow Rachel, an English commuter who finds herself trying to solve the mystery surrounding a missing person after she witnesses a shocking event from her seat on the train. The twist: Rachel is an alcoholic, suffers from blackouts and memory loss and, as she investigates, finds out that she is an even bigger part of the case than she anticipated.
Hawkins recently stopped by Mashable's New York HQ for a book chat with MashableReads, discussing The Girl on the Train, likable characters in literature and the dark side of life.
"When you peel back the everyday, you can find something really sinister under its veneer."
To complete the night, Mashable partnered with Mrs. T's Pierogies to bring delicious finger food to our book chat, making the relaxing evening, full of literature and great friends, even more enjoyable.
Check out the highlights of the discussion below:
Such a pleasure to have the lovely @PaulaHWrites here for #MashReads today! pic.twitter.com/VX9kDprzSr— Elisha Hartwig (@ElishaHartwig) February 3, 2015
What’s a book club without snacks?! Thanks @MrsTsPierogies for the great get-together food! #MashReads pic.twitter.com/PprZgoDUi6— MashableReads (@mashreads) February 3, 2015
There's quite the line for the pierogi bar at @mashable for the #girlonthetrain #mashreads book club! pic.twitter.com/qlmHJ09ogE— Riverhead Books (@riverheadbooks) February 3, 2015
@PaulaHWrites taking questions about #girlonthetrain at #mashreads (the @mashable offices are amazing!) pic.twitter.com/h5sKvyfoZL— Lydia Hirt (@lydiahirt) February 3, 2015
#MashReads to discuss The Girl on The Train by @PaulaHWrites, aka my new favorite book of life pic.twitter.com/gkx1p0l0gv— Megan Ranney (@heyybrighteyes) February 3, 2015
"I'm drawn to the darker side of life..." @PaulaHWrites on writing her thriller #girlonthetrain #mashreads— Riverhead Books (@riverheadbooks) February 3, 2015
"I'm not bothered by people whether they are likeable, but whether they are credible and compelling," says @PaulaHWrites #MashReads— Lisa Gruber (@LisaG429) February 3, 2015
A photo posted by Kate Gavino (@lastnightsreading) on Feb 4, 2015 at 6:18am PST
"People, even not very nice people, can be humanized once you see the struggles they go through." -@PaulaHWrites #girlonthetrain #MashReads— MashableReads (@mashreads) February 3, 2015
Listening to Paula Hawkins, author of #TheGirlOnTheTrain, at @mashable #MashReads. pic.twitter.com/JImVDHibQQ— Zack Smith (@ZackMS) February 3, 2015
Any advice for young writers? - MJ "Don't allow yourself to be intimidated by great writers." - @PaulaHWrites #girlonthetrain #mashreads— MashableReads (@mashreads) February 17, 2015
Do you think there will be a movie for #girlonthetrain? "Yes! Someone is working on the script at the moment" @PaulaHWrites #mashreads— MashableReads (@mashreads) February 17, 2015
Writing advice from Paula Hawkins: find two trusted sets of eyes to edit your work. #MashReads A photo posted by @megancranney on Feb 3, 2015 at 3:13pm PST
And don't forget to check out our full Google Hangout discussion with Paula Hawkins below!