The Rory Gilmore Reading Challenge discussion

The Outsiders is our book for May 2019! Our discussion leader for this month is Mindy. Watch out for her posts below! Thank you!

I’ve been meaning to read this one. Hopefully my library doesn’t have a big wait list.

Oh goodie! I looooove this book and have read it several times. I may even re-read it with the group. Somehow SE Hinton's other book That Was Then, This Is Now completely passed me by, so I will also read that one.

I LOVE re reading this book!!! I can not wait to do so!!! This is one of my all time favorite books I have ever read and what I read in school.

Hi and welcome to the discussion all -- sorry for the delay in my posting, I'm traveling. I haven't read The Outsiders since I was a teen. Loved it then; we'll see how it holds up!

My students are just finishing the Outsiders for their reading class. I absolutely love this book! Can't wait to discuss!

This is one of my all time favorite books. I have read it many times throughout my life. The movie is super good. Love the Robert Frost mention....and Pony Boy <3

Anybody reading for the first time? Any progress reports from anyone? I finished last week but will hold my comments until a few of us have chimed in.

I read it last year. I really liked it. It was sad and reminded me if the things that were going on in my hometown when I was younger. I didn’t get into the gangs thankfully though.

I have not yet read this one, but of course, I have seen the movie and because I love the movie so much, my fiance just bought it for me as a surprise! I'll be starting it a little late, but hopefully, I can finish it on time to discuss it with you all!

I'm reading it for the first time - I'd actually never heard of it! I wonder whether it is less popular in the UK. I'm about a third of the way through and enjoying is so far!

Is the movie worth watching, or is it mostly rumbling?

“Stay gold, Ponyboy, stay gold....”
I love that a good YA book is always cathartic as an adult.
I had read this in school, and didn’t remember much - I remember agreeing with Ponyboy at the time, and now Darry and Dally are the heartbreakers for me.

Caroline wrote: "Is the movie worth watching, or is it mostly rumbling?

“Stay gold, Ponyboy, stay gold....”
I love that a good YA book is always cathartic as an adult.
I had read this in school, and didn’t rememb..."

After starting the book, I'm realizing how close the movie really is to the book; it's one of the closest movie adaptations I've ever seen, so I definitely think the movie is worth watching if you want to see the book come to life as much as it can. I haven't finished the book yet, so I'm not sure if it stays that way, but I'm about halfway through and so far it's basically the same.

I’ve never read the book before or seen the movie. It’s not a common read in the Netherlands I think. But it’s my new favorite and best book I’ve read so far in 2019. What a beautiful heartbreaking story. I certainly cried. Can’t wait to see the movie.

Thank you all for joining in and for sharing your thoughts.

Anne and Hannah, The Outsiders is commonly assigned reading here in the States. I'm glad you both liked it.

As I mentioned, I loved it in high school which for me was late-70s. I never had it assigned but I came across it somehow. My daughter read it in the 90s and also liked it. I was really surprised that it didn't come across as too dated, and I'm glad to know it's still beloved to this day, apparently by all ages!

For me, reading it now, it felt pretty cheesy and melodramatic. I was afraid of that. Some books from childhood hold up for me but quite a few do not. However, I still admire the book and its achievements, and I greatly admire Hinton.

I honestly was impressed for the caliber of writing for a 16 yr old, as Hinton was 16 when she wrote it. Also to give such a detailed perspective from the eyes of a boy is truly astounding for the age. I also love that she chose to play the Nurse in the movie which kept the movie true to the book.

Holly, I totally agree. Such writing from a teenager is astounding, and the staying power of the book is amazing and says a lot about how many hearts of all ages have been touched by this story.

This is a 4 year old thread, but I wanted to chime in and mentioned I just finished reading this book for my first time and now I want to watch the movie. I was assigned this book in high school and was rebellious and didn’t read it. My loss, —🤷‍♀️😂😋😂. Thought this book was a fantastic read, especially since the writer was only 17 years old when she wrote it. Now I understand I’m the meaning of “ Stay gold, pony boy ,stay gold”. But I have, from time to time, heard it said, “stay golden.” I wonder if this is where it came from. Great book, really enjoyed it. Glad I read it.

This has been a favorite of mine.