Book Assassins discussion

So I finally started the book! How do you guys feel about it? I think it seems very similar to The Perks of Being a Wallflower so far...

It may be more enjoyable to you then because you've never read Perks. Stephen Chbosky was Ava Dellaria's mentor, which might explain their similar writing styles.

I ordered the book from the library and I should get it this week. I've been wanting to read this one, so I'm excited to read and talk about.

Rebecca wrote: "I ordered the book from the library and I should get it this week. I've been wanting to read this one, so I'm excited to read and talk about."

Great!! Let me know when you get it and read some! I'll try not to post spoiler-y questions until more people have had time to read it. :)

I think that much like Charlie in Perks uses thinking as a way to avoid participating, Laurel uses memories of May to avoid participating in the present. What do you guys think?

So should I even bother posting more discussion questions? Does anyone want to talk about the book?

Sorry. I just have to go pick the book up at the library and read it. Will definitely do that this weekend and at least read the first few chapters. Then I can talk about it.

Leigh wrote: "I've started reading it and so far I think it's really good. It's different, but that's what I like about it I think! In response to your question about Laurel using memories of May to avoid partic..."

It feels like every time something uncomfortable happens in Laurel's life she retreats into her "happier" memories of when May was around. It's like Laurel never developed as herself, like all of her personality is tied to May.

I left my book at college so I couldn't read any of it this weekend. (Mentally kicking myself for that.) His name is Sky.

So I finally got the book this weekend and started reading. In response to your question, I'm not sure if I agree that Laurel is avoiding life or hasn't developed into her own self. It looks like she has been trying. But her sister died, and although we don't know the details... It was definitely traumatic. So now she is trying to figure out how to live, at a new school, split up family, and no friends. I'm looking forward to reading what happens.

Sorry, I'm not trying to be the mod but I have a question, or thought. P. 26, she wrote "mays clothes must have worked like magic, because since I started wearing them, things have been happening." So do you think it's luck that things were happening, the confidence that came after she put on the clothes, or perhaps the confidence ( or bravery) came before the clothes and that's what made her initially put them on.

I think that, at least up until where I've read, Laurel is trying to be May. She hasn't quite discovered who she is yet and she needs confidence so she put on May's old clothes and is trying to be like May. Confident, fun, flirtatious.
Also, Sky only started talking to Laurel after she starts wearing May's clothes. What's with that? Did he like May and is using Laurel as a substitute? Or am I sounding too much like an english teacher, reading into things too much?

It was kind of by accident they started talking, bumping into each other and all. But I wonder how laurel would have reacted if she wasn't wearing mays clothes. I don't know, maybe I'm putting too much emphasis on the clothes

If she hadn't been wearing May's clothes I don't think Laurel would've talked with Sky. She's trying to be more like May, and in some ways that's good. She's becoming more confident and she made some friends. But on the other hand, she's not getting to become Laurel. But I guess that her sister dying traumatically would sort of stunt her growth personally and emotionally. (That's the feeling I'm getting at least. Let me know if you feel differently.)

Also: do you guys think May's death was an accident or a suicide? I'm leaning towards it being suicide.

Definitely a traumatic death. I'm caught between suicide, and maybe laurel actually witnessing it.

Leigh wrote: "I think in the long run, she will come to figure out who she is, she just needs some help getting there. May's clothes were just the first step."

I agree Leigh! I think that is what I was trying to say, you just said it better.

Rebecca wrote: "Leigh wrote: "I think in the long run, she will come to figure out who she is, she just needs some help getting there. May's clothes were just the first step."

I agree Leigh! I think that is wha..."

Part of me still thinks that May committed suicide. That's what her death scene made it seem like. Plus, quite a few of the people Laurel is writing letters to committed suicide.

I wouldn't say "in love" with her sister. Definitely hero worshipped her, before she died and maybe even more now.

I have to agree with Rebecca in that I also think Laurel hero worshipped May. May was her older sister who could basically do no wrong. She loved her more than anything (as a sister). I really don't think May truly loves Sky. She never had a boyfriend before so Sky is her first. I think she's mistaking a crush for love.

I've been wondering what is going on with Sky. I'm on Pg, 144. But he has a past too, we are just not sure what it is. laurel describes him as though he's seeking the light, like moths to a flame. But I was somewhat confused because Laurel doesn't really seem like a light. We know about Sky's Mom, but I don't think that's the only reason why he's not pursuing his dreams of becoming a doctor, or why he transferred schools

Also, anyone get the hint that maybe Sky and May dated?

Well, I'm a lot farther than you and to not spoil anything, I'll just tell you that some things are explained like Sky's past and how he and May know each other.

Definitely suicide. Now on pg 208. This letter to Kurt was really powerful. " But did you think about the fact that when you wrote those words, when you took your life, you stole the innocence you loves her for? That you for forever changed her heart full of joy? You were the first to do her harm. You were the first person to make the world dangerous for her."

Sorry, I'm going to get deep now. I have known one friend to commit suicide and my Mother took off and left when I was 18 years old. Leaving is not suicide, but still very painful. If people knew how much they were loved and how much pain they're leaving or death would cause others... Would they still do it? I guess they are not thinking about that.

On another note, Although a sad book, I'm really enjoying the insights in Kurt's, rivers, garlands, and etc lives.

It's impossible to know because the people who would truly know are the ones who committed suicide or otherwise left their loved ones.
The best guess I can venture is that when life gets dark enough that suicide seems like an option, the last thing that person is thinking about is their friends and family. It's a hopeless state when they don't really think "oh shit people would care if I was gone" because they feel worthless. Of course I could be totally wrong.

That letter Kurt seemed to also convey how Laurel felt about May's suicide. That by leaving her, May made the world an awful place for Laurel. Before that, May's presence had made all of the shit tolerable for her.

I finished the book a few days ago and have been processing my thoughts.

All in all I think it was a well written book that brought up issues that that YA's need to know about and talk about. In that way I think it's similar to Perks of Being a Wallflower, 13 Reasons Why, and Looking for Alaska.

On a personal note, for the most part I enjoy reading happier books, happily ever afters, a little adventure, and a little more light heartedness. You may think this is lame of me, but there is enough stress and sadness in day to day life, that I would rather not read about it too. But as you can see from my list above, I still manage to read more "thoughtful" and "serious" books from time to time. They are just not what I crave in the book world.

This was my first book discussion forum with a goodreads group. I enjoyed our discussion and well definitely be participating in more to come. Thank you!

Rebecca wrote: "I finished the book a few days ago and have been processing my thoughts.

All in all I think it was a well written book that brought up issues that that YA's need to know about and talk about. In ..."


Yeah I liked that the book brought up real life issues and faced them but it was a really heavy read. I needed a couple of days to process and think about everything.

But anyway, thanks for participating in the discussion!