Books and Jams Readalong discussion

We're making our way through. What do you think at this point? How have things changed (or not) since the beginning? What do you think about the way Jeannette Walls is portraying her parents and her story? What do you hope for the ending?

I am glad the kids got some stability by staying in one place. But nothing much else changes. I wanted to feed them children so bad. I think she is portraying them the best she recalls.

So much of this section just breaks my heart. Just thinking of these kids fending for themselves in a broken down house was heart wrenching. I kept thinking, why does no one help them! Didn't the teachers or other townspeople notice or try to do anything? Ugh. I get it that they lived in a high poverty area, but someone could have helped.

I know the parents refused all kinds of charity. They really made me so angry in this section. Their selfishness was through the roof! Two scenes stand out as infuriating - when the dad took Jeannette to that bar in another town and allowed her to go upstairs with that guy, knowing his intentions. I was fuming! And when the mom came back after a few months away and said she really just needed to focus on herself and do what she loves. I wanted to punch them so many times! Oh and when the dad stole the pig money! Gah! I was so angry! Almost threw my book across the room.

Needless to say, I'm very invested in this story. I'm interested to see how things go in NY as we wrap things up.

I have been tearing through this book. It is so good and so maddening! Her parents are so self-absorbed. As a parent and grandparent, I can’t imagine allowing my children to suffer so much. Being poor is one thing, but stealing your children’s money, basically prostituting your daughter....what??? I am so glad Jeannette and Lori left...hopefully Brian and Maureen will as well.

I have been reading along with the audio and loving it. I really feel for all the Walls children. I am hoping they all make it through there childhood. I would hate to read that one of her siblings didn't. I am shocked by what these children have to go through. I guess I feel that even though the parents love them they are so selfish. My heart was breaking when her father used her to make money when playing pool and when he took their money. Although I was shocked that they left it in clear sight of him anyway. I look forward to reading what happens for all of them and if they all make it out of Welch.

In this section, I think the biggest change was that Jeannette's parents went from being unorthodox, self-absorbed and unwise, to completely self-indulgent, neglectful and negligent. I cannot believe that her father completely brushed off Jeannette's creepy sexual experience, minimizing it as unwanted touching that she could handle. The parents are capable of looking after their children, but are unwilling to do so, I guess because it would mean taking on and accepting parental responsibility. It is astounding that these parents were able to keep custody of their kids. Perhaps the most remarkable thing about all of this is that Jeannette still loves and wants to believe in her parents. What a life she had!