YA Book Club for Adults - Chinn Park Library discussion

The next meeting will be Wednesday August 5, 2020 at 7 p.m. and we will be discussing "I'm Not Dying With You Tonight" by by Gilly Segal and Kimberly Jones. The book is available as an ebook on Hoopla. Please feel free to reach out with any questions.

Hello! Is anyone else out there? :)

Hi!

Hi!

Hi everyone! What did you all think about the book this month?

I was not a fan overall, though I liked parts of it. The two main characters felt a bit like caricatures and I didn't like that. I did like that much of the dialog felt natural and the topic also felt pretty timely. Some of the situations felt very relatable.

I liked it pretty well. It was an easy, fast read. I wish it went a little more into the aftermath for both girls. Like what happens next, how did the experience change them individually, their relationship to each other, how they relate to the community etc.

I definitely agree with you both. I thought it was an easy read and it left me wanting to read more everytime I put the book down. However, I also had issues with the book's characters and the wrapping up of the plot.

I always feel like I want the what happens next type of epilogue. I would have liked to see what happened after this snapshot, too.

How did you feel about the structure of the novel? How did the two narrators contribute to the books powerful message?

I thought the structure worked very well. Having the back and forth made the characters' biases apparent and the authors were able to show growth and realization that otherwise wouldn't have been evident

I feel like with a subject like this its good to have a dual perspective because that promotes dialogue. Both girls make assumptions about each other that kind of get dispelled as they go through this experience together.

Elyssa wrote: "I thought the structure worked very well. Having the back and forth made the characters' biases apparent and the authors were able to show growth and realization that otherwise wouldn't have been e..." You said it better than me :D

:D

I really liked the dual narrators format for this story. I very much agree that it showed growth and promotes dialogue for readers. I think the book would now have been as good with just one narrator.

How do Lena and Campbell have false views of each other? What do the girls learn about each other and from each other as the night of violence progresses?

The part that really stuck with me was the scene where the girls are in the bad neighborhood and Lena was annoyed and then in her own chapter continued questioning why Campbell thought she (Lena) would feel any more safe or comfortable. I think the ways both girls expected a flat stereotype of the other was kind of realistic, and they were able to get pastmuch of that by the end. I did, though, find that some of the traits the girls did exhibit were actually stereotypes and that's the part that bothered me.

To put it simply they both learn that not all white people and not all black people are the same. There are many different stories within a single community. Lena isn't a gangster and Campbell isn't a rich brat.

I think that they both had their own biases at the start of the novel and false assumptions and over the course of the night learned more about the other person and realize they were wrong. I do agree Elyssa that there was some stereotypical aspects to the characters that I did not love. I feel like there is a 5 star book here if there was just some things tweaked and changed.

There seemed to be some unrest in Atlanta before the events of the novel, do you think different actions by political and community leaders could have prevented the events of this night?

Yes and No. Yes and you can go back to any point in the history of the US and the colonies and make changes that would have prevented this night. No because given what we are seeing play out in real life this very minute we have many systemic racism issues that need to be addressed across the board at all levels of government and that isn't happening. Yes one leader can make a difference but the goal needs to be larger than simply preventing riots.

I think if there had been more adult supervision at the game, and the situation was able to be diffused instead of escalated many of the events would have happened differently.

Also. The idea that there was already tension between the schools because of previous incidents and no extra precautions were in case was just irresponsible.

I'm on mobile and can't link to your comment but yes, Jellicle! Exactly that

I think you both bring up really good points. I think in many ways what happened in the novel and what is happening is inevitable due to systemic racism but I also think there may have been precautions to try to diffuse these situations.

Elyssa wrote: "Also. The idea that there was already tension between the schools because of previous incidents and no extra precautions were in case was just irresponsible." Oh yes, I do agree with that, what happened at the school didn't have to happen or had it been managed better, would not have spilled out into the broader community. I couldn't help but think more globally because this is such a timely conversation. :)

Why do you think Lena was determined to find Black, even running directly into the protests and chaotic scenes?

Because a teenage girl who fancies a boy has a single minded intent. I say that from my own memory of the 16 year old girl that I was. The world could be exploding and all she wants is to be with the boy.

^^ Very true. As an adult reading it, though, it was so frustrating. Outside of Black's break from character to be a good guy he was not worth that adventure.

Jellicle that is very true. I guess I was reading it as an adult who could not help but think, "why are you giving him the time of day?" haha

How do Lena and Campbell’s views of the cops differ?

Elyssa wrote: "^^ Very true. As an adult reading it, though, it was so frustrating. Outside of Black's break from character to be a good guy he was not worth that adventure." Exactly!

Rob wrote: "Jellicle that is very true. I guess I was reading it as an adult who could not help but think, "why are you giving him the time of day?" haha" I was that girl once upon a time haha

I think this too echoes real conversations. Lena's grown up with fear of police and Campbell sees them as safety.

Cops - Lena sees them as oppressors and enforcers and Campbell sees as the good guys who are there to help. And it is true had Campbell asked for help she would have received it. If Lena had - who knows?

I liked the line that the cops see them differently. I think Lena said they would see campbell as a poodle and lena as a pitbull. Very simple yet effective line. I think this again will promote dialogue.

Do you think the authors did a good job handling a difficult topic of police brutality and protest?

The topic was handled well but it really did feel like it was on fast forward. I agree with Jellicle that it would have been nice to see the aftermath

I think it was handled well enough based on the target audience but considering again the current events I personally can't speak to the authenticity of the moment. However, I think the goal was to show the promote discussion and understanding and not simply to portray the violence of the moment.

^^ very well said!

Well said everyone! Thanks for having such a great discussion tonight! :)

I am go glad I made it this time!

Thank you both!

Next month we will be discussing "Dear Haiti, Love Alaine" by Maika Moulite and Maritza Moulite. The next meeting will be September 2, at 7p.m.

The ebook and eaudiobook are available on Hoopla!

Thank you! See you then 😊