The Reading Room discussion

Ward D1. What are your first impressions of the main characters introduced so far? How do their personalities and backgrounds shape the story?

2. What do you think the book is trying to say about mental health, illness, or recovery based on the early chapters?

3. Have any moments in the story made you reflect on your own experiences or views?

4. How does the setting (the hospital, Ward D) influence the mood or tone of the book?

5. Are there any characters you find particularly relatable or intriguing? Why?

1. Amy seems like an unreliable narrator and I don’t trust her. She keeps seeing this random girl, and I think it might all be in her head. It’s hard to tell what’s real. I feel bad for Jade, but at the same time, I’m not sure what she did to end up there.

2. I think the book is showing that you can't judge mental health by appearance. Amy was surprised her patient looked like a professor, which shows how hidden mental struggles can be. I also think the book will highlight how people who grow up around mental illness or addiction need real support otherwise, they might reach a breaking point themselves.

3. Some parts of the story made me think about how often I feel down or sad, but also how lucky I am to have a (mostly) healthy mental state and a stronger family support system than Jade probably ever had. It really shows how important support is for recovery and coping.

4. The hospital, especially Ward D, creates a really creepy and tense mood. I don’t blame Amy for panicking before even stepping inside. The locked doors and the code that can change anytime would make anyone anxious, plus whatever’s happening in that seclusion room adds to the fear and mystery.

5. I’m definitely most intrigued by Amy. I really want to know what she did to ruin her friendship with Jade, and why she keeps seeing that little girl everywhere. There’s something mysterious about her that pulls me in.

1. Amy is sketchy. Jade is crazy, but a real friend would try and help even if the other is crazy.
2. mental illness is a difficult journey for sure, and this really highlights that
3. I also hate going to the behavioral unit at work 😅 it makes me uneasy
4. It gives it a dark mood
5. Mary reminds me of my grandmother, who had dementia.

1. I agree with Brandon. Amy is unreliable with her seeing the little girl and all the anxiety she has. Jade makes me feel bad for her. She has mental health issues that she genetically got from her mom. Jade doesn’t have the best home environment and Amy wants to help but Jade will not allow her to help.
2. The story doesn’t glamorize mental illness but shows how it can be isolating and misunderstood. Prime examples of that are patients like Will and Spider-Dan.
3. I can relate to Amy with her fear of being perceived as “crazy”, “too dramatic”, and unstable when admitting to struggling with mental health. Her character is a reminder of how many people hide what they’re feeling because they’re afraid it will define them. Like Brandon said, I am happy that there are people I can rely on when feeling down/off plus professional help.
4. Ward D sets the tone of darkness, creepiness, and confinement. I don’t blame Amy for being anxious about her shift there, I would feel the same.
5. Will Schoenfeld stands out to me. He appears well read and self aware. I feel like he is holding onto a secret that will hopefully be revealed. He doesn’t fit the mold of a stereotypical psych patient, which makes his backstory more interesting.

1. I like Amy a lot, she seems like a little nerd and very smart. Her friend Jade, doesnt sound like she is a good friend and a bad influence. Cameron im still not too sure about but maybe he is immature.
2. The book does a good job informing people that mental illness can happen to anybody. But at the end of the day, they should be treated as people like everyone else.
3. I think of Jade as a old best friend I use to have growing up in high school. She was very similar to jade with her family dynamics and issues. I felt the way Amy did with the choices she made, I worried about her quite a bit.
4. Its a scary setting, especially knowing there is a "dangerous" patient in the ward. The lack of knowledge about the other patients gives an uneasy feeling too. If i was in Amy's shoes id feel the same as her.
5. Mary is an interesting character that i would love to get to know. She seems like she is a more complex person than she makes out to be. I want Amy to look into her as a patient.

Sorry, I’ve been galavanting.

1. I like a book that opens with somewhat of a mystery, something to figure out. That really is the impression I get from most of the characters. There is more to tell, more to know. Such is life.

2. I really think mental health was handled well during the book. From what I have seen, the author was once a practicing physician. I also think she acknowledged her father for his help with getting the story right. Without the book in front of me and google not helping me much, I think he is a psychologist.

3. Computed Tomography is a common stop for mental health issues. I have also visited a youth behavioral facility before, with multiple doors locking behind me. It’s an eerie feeling.

4. See above. Add to that the volatility of the unknown. And who gave that woman knitting needles?!!!

5. Each is interesting. There is something they add to the story, a value. Isn’t or shouldn’t that be true of the human experience?