Leah’s Comments (group member since Aug 21, 2013)

Leah’s comments from the Leah Konen Hosts a Q&A group.

Hosting a book club for teen readers? Here are some sample questions to get you started. Feel free to add your own to the mix.

Discussion questions:

1. How do Ella and Sydney grieve for Astrid differently? Is one way better or healthier than the other? Is there a right way to grieve for a friend or loved one? Do you relate to the way Ella or Sydney grieves more?

2. Music plays a large role in THE AFTER GIRLS, through Sydney’s band and Ella’s interactions with Jake. How do Sydney and Ella use music to cope with Astrid’s death? How does it affect their relationships with the other characters and each other?

3. Much of THE AFTER GIRLS is filled with messages, texts and calls that are seemingly from Astrid. After reading the ending, what do you make of these messages? Do you think there is one right way to interpret the end of the book, or has Leah Konen left room for debate?

4. THE AFTER GIRLS is filled with lots of romantic entanglements: Ella and Ben, Ella and Jake, Sydney and Max, and Sydney and Carter. Which relationship or couple do you relate to most? Which is the healthiest? The most destructive? The most romantic? Do any mirror the kind of relationship you’d like to have yourself?

5. A story about suicide is undeniably sad and tragic. What did you find uplifting or positive about the book? How did it leave you feeling after finishing it? Hopeful? Distressed? A little bit of both?

Please note: I am happy to call-in, Skype or Google Hangout with your book club. E-mail leahkonen@gmail.com to submit your request.

Here's where you can post your questions. Let's get started!