7. As Rowan’s father sinks deeper into his depression, Rowan struggles with the frustration and pain of watching him struggle, finally admitting that, “I cannot bear the sight of my father breaking.” Why do you think this is so difficult for Rowan? Why is it so difficult for children to see their parents’ vulnerability? Do you think that there was anything Rowan could have, or should have done for her father?
8. Throughout the book, Rowan reflects on the meaning of depression as a “burden,” both on the sufferer, and the people around them. Why do you think depression feels like a “burden” to be carried, and why does it affect everyone around it so deeply? What is the difference between suffering from depression, and suffering through a loved one’s?
9. After the suicide of Rowan’s father, both Nadia and Eli reach out to Rowan, in an attempt to comfort her. What is the difference between their two approaches? What do you think this says about the difference in their friendships, and experiences? Which do you think is better for Rowan? Why?
10. When Eli attends Nick’s funeral, Rowan says that his presence “makes this all too real.” What do you think this means? Why is Eli the one who brings the full impact of what has happened home for Rowan?
11. As Rowan struggles with her grief over her father’s death, she repeatedly reflects on the difficulty of coming to terms with the “reason” her father killed himself. She says, “They want a reason, an event, something they can pinpoint and steer clear of.” Why do you think people have a need for this kind of “reason”? Do you think Rowan is correct that there isn’t always a specific reason to point to?
12. Why do you think it’s so important for Rowan and her mother to find the notes that Nick left them? When they do finally find the notes, do you think the one left for Rowan satisfies her? Why or why not?
13. Eli tells Rowan that his father’s secret for dealing with anything really difficult is to “Just keep breathing.” What do you think this means? Do you think it’s good advice? Why do you think it works, or doesn’t work? Can you think of other ways to cope with difficult things that are similar?
14. As Rowan falls for Eli, she wonders, “I will never understand how life can rip your heart out with one hand and then give you a small, warm piece of it back with the other?”. Do you think life is like this, in your experience? Can you think of an example from your own life that proves or disproves this idea?
15. As Rowan and her mother finally begin to get rid of some of Nick’s stuff, Rowan says in her grief journal, “Without your stuff, you will really be gone.” Why do you think this is? Do you agree with this? Why is it so difficult to finally get rid of Nick’s possessions?
16. Throughout Me Since You, Rowan reflects on the coincidences that led to her father’s death (for example, p. 220), and the “ripple effect” that Corey’s suicide had. What do you think is truly meant by the “ripple effect”? Do you think that the coincidences in the novel are truly coincidences, or something more? Do you see the “ripple effect” in your own life?
Enhance Your Book Club
1. Throughout Me Since You, Laura Wiess uses epigraphs to enhance the meaning of certain chapters or passages, as well as the book as a whole. When Rowan’s family is writing Nick’s eulogy, her mother also uses an epigraph from Bartlett’s Quotations to find a way to begin their tribute to Nick. Imagine you had to replace the epigraph at the beginning of the book—find a new quotation that you think represents a theme or idea from Me Since You. Share your choice with the group, and explain why you think it represents the novel and its ideas. If you don’t have your own copy of Bartlett’s Quotations, here are some online resources that can help get you started.
http://www.bartleby.com/quotations
http://www.quotationspage.com
http://www.online-literature.com
2. Laura Wiess has written several other novels: Ordinary Beauty, How It Ends, Such a Pretty Girl and Leftovers. Check out one of these other excellent stories, and share your thoughts on it with your group. How did it change the way you thought about Me Since You? What are some of the themes of the book you chose that match up with the themes of Me Since You? Did you see other similarities between the novels?
3. Join the conversation! www.laurawiess.com, http://www.facebook.com/pages/Laura-Wiess/163023280412622, and https://twitter.com/LauraWiess are great resources for more information on Laura Wiess’s novels and a way to meet other fans of Me Since You. Share your favorite parts of Me Since You on Facebook or Twitter, and check out all the great information on LauraWiess.com!
AUTHOR PHOTOGRAPH BY PAUL PINAHA
LAURA WIESS is the author of the critically acclaimed novels Such a Pretty Girl, chosen as one of the ALA’s Best Books for Young Adults and YALSA Quick Picks for Reluctant Readers; Leftovers; How It Ends; and Ordinary Beauty. She lives in an old stone house in the forests of Pennsylvania’s Endless Mountains region. Visit www.laurawiess.com.
FOR MORE ON THIS AUTHOR: authors.simonandschuster.com/Laura-Wiess
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Also by Laura Wiess
Such a Pretty Girl
Leftovers
How It Ends
Ordinary Beauty
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This book is a work of fiction. Any references to historical events, real people, or real places are used fictitiously. Other names, characters, places, and events are products of the author’s imagination, and any resemblance to actual events or places or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
Copyright © 2014 by Laura Battyanyi Wiess
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Designed by Aline C. Pace
Cover photograph © Kevin Russ/Vetta/Getty Images
Hand lettering by Keely Sheehan
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available.
ISBN 978-1-4391-9397-6
ISBN 978-1-4391-9399-0 (ebook)
Contents
Acknowledgments
The Last Friday in March, 8:27 A.M.
The Last Friday in March, 8:49 A.M.
The Last Friday in March, 9:26 A.M.
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Chapter 40
Chapter 41
Chapter 42
Grief Journal
Chapter 43
Chapter 44
Chapter 45
Grief Journal
Chapter 46
Chapter 47
Chapter 48
Chapter 49
Chapter 50
Chapter 51
Chapter 52
Grief Journal
Chapter 53
Chapter 54
Chapter 55
Chapter 56
Chapter 57
Chapter 58
Chapter 59
Chapter 60
Chapter 61
Chapter 62
Grief Journal
Chapter 63
Chapter 64
Chapter 65
Chapter 66
Chapter 67
Chapter 68
Chapter 69
Grief Journal
Chapter 70
Chapter 71
Grief Journal
Chapter 72
Grief Journal
Chapter 73
Chapter 74
Chapter 75
Grief Journal
Chapter 76
Readers Group Guide
Introduction
Topics and Questions for Discussion
Enhance Your Book Club
About Laura Wiess