Books and Jams Readalong discussion

You've made it more than 1/2 way through!

Have your initial impressions of any of the characters changed?
Have there been any twists or surprises for you?
Can you relate to one family more than the other?
Who has made the most growth/change so far? Why?
Any hopes for the ending?

Other thoughts?

I am still really sympathetic with Peter. He is trying to do the best he can and he doesn't want to make waves. The stigma of his mother's act and health is hard to get away from and would have been in the late 90s. We have only just started to make inroads in discussing mental health.
I also am really connecting with Lena, she just getting it done. I've been there, done that with my own husband (although his hospitalizations were for anxiety). There is something to be said for her ability to just keep swimming. I am not sure if I could forgive an affair but I can also see her desire to keep it between her and her husband.

I am liking the pace of the novel. It jumps over time periods in a logical way and I don't feel like I am missing out on things.

I am really hopeful for Peter and Kate but I think it is going to be a hard road. Unfortunately, Peter is going to have to face a lot of demons. Kate seems very confident in her ability to handle her life choices and a strong woman. I see how much more she is like her mother than she would like to acknowledge. (Isn't that most of us? haha).

Oh, I’m really loving this book! I don’t think there have been so much surprises, just turns in different folks’ lives as we all have. I think Kaye has the most relatable character - trying to protect those she loves, whether it’s her father, then her mother, and most of all peter. But I do think Anne has gone through the most change, but I’m still so fearful that something will happen with her now that she doesn’t have to check in with a doctor. How is she still getting her meds? I know from some family members that, once they start feeling “normal,” they sometimes fudge a bit on medication and issues can arise.
Really hoping for a good resolution for all concerned and that Peter in particular comes out okay. He seems to have the most strikes against him with hismom’s mental illness and dad’s alcoholism.

Not going to lie, I found myself bored a bit in this middle section. It did feel like it was picking up again toward the end, but I had to make myself keep reading a few times.

I think my favorite character from this middle section is George, Peter's uncle. He really stepped up and changed a lot so that he could become the caregiver for Peter. I think taking on that responsibility really helped him to grow up quite a bit.

I do feel like something is going to blow, but I'm not sure what. Everything just has this subtle intensity to it. Who knows.

I'm hoping to finish tomorrow. We'll see I guess!

I just started chapter 17 and stopped so I could add my thoughts for the middle section. I think this is a very intense story, there is so much in play and things that if you stop and think about could really get deep.

I go back and forth with Anne, I understand the mental illness, but then I just think she's crazy. I'm also wondering if Kate made a mistake by not letting Peter know his mother was close and looking for him?

I'm really enjoying the story so far. I find myself thinking about it when I'm not reading it and that's usually a good sign. :-)