Teens Monthly Book Club discussion

Thread for the December read! The Giver by Lois Lowry.

Hi! I looked in my school library; it isn't in so I've spent the last half an hour or something (anything for books) and I figured out some other library near me has it in, so I've requested it to be transferred to my local library. I don't know how long this usually takes so it might take me a while to get it, sorry :) xx

that's all good :) I'm hoping to check my local library for it today

cool :))) xx

I've got a copy! :D

Yes! 😁 I’ll update this chat when I get my copy or if there are any problems x

The audiobook I requested just came in so I'll probably start it today

I just finished the book! I enjoyed it and gave it four stars. I'm most likely going to continue with the series

o cool I didn't realise it was a series!

Mine js in the library I requested it for, so I will get it this weekend! :)

Same, Anna! I should be able to pick it up Friday, we'll be close to the library anyway.

I just finished reading Star Trek which I was reading instead of The Giver but now that I'm finished I'm gonna start reading it! Plus I'm in a sci-fi mood now and it fits right in :D

Omg I've barely started but already this book is so creepy in a dystopian kinda way! the whole thing with being 'released' and the rules for each age and whatever. the society is like a factory for manufacturing cardboard cut outs! super interesting read so far!

Cool! I haven’t got it yet, oops, I’ll try and get it today..

I just got it today. But I have to finish Unblemished first.

I've read the whole series but I love reading the giver again.

I just got The Giver, will start reading it soon! :)

I’ve started the Giver, I’m on Chapter One and so far, nothing has really happened. I’m guessing by reviews and you opinion (Charlotte) it’s gonna be amazing :)

Half way thru - opinion so far:
-This is actually amazing. Love it so much.
-I read dystopian book books quite a bit, and there is a book called The Deathless Girls, which I find quite similar, but that was more of a fantasy novel!
-I can’t put it down, i actually am struggling to write this because I just want to go back to my book :)

Omg ikr! there's just so many little details about all their weird rules and stuff that gets you hooked! I'm almost finished :D

I finished the book! It ended very abruptly and I am extremely confused. Can't wait to talk about the ending with everyone and hopefully make sense of it lol. I've posted a review for it but beware - some spoilers!

I’m going to will myself not to read the review, because I can’t wait to see what happens :)))

I’ve finished it! I agree with your agree Charlotte, but I will write my own one later :) x

Was it just me or did anyone else felt like eating one of those candy that has the best sweetness ever but it ends just like that and leaves you bitter and you feel like I just have to get another one or I will be irritated the whole day.

I’m a bit confused 😂

I’ve written my review for The Giver (also is there a poll out for January yet?)

Omg I just read your review and the bit at the end where you say 'life could be a lot easier like this' is so true! the book raises a bunch of moral questions about humanity and world peace vs. individuality and all that! It's really makes you think and I can see why it's taught in schools. also cause I'm a nerd it reminds me of this star trek episode where a machines idea of peace is to completely strip away individuality which destroys humanity in a completely different way than war.

o and yes the poll should be out. I scheduled it for today. Im pretty sure you can't access it on mobile though. :)

can you send me a link if that’s ok, that’s how I’ve accessed it in the past months :)

hey so the month (and the year and the decade! :O) is coming to an end so here's some final discussion questions about the giver:

first of all: what do you think the creepiest/worst 'rule' was?

I'd say the precise speaking, especially when Jonah's friend was essentially beaten into silence, was one of the most dystopian. it was a more subtle but controlling rule cause language can change how you think which is exactly what it did!


second: what do you think about releasing?

in their society, the whole thing with the old people actually seemed kind of nice. it was a celebrated ceremony where they got to peacefully pass when their time is up which avoided sufferung. although I do think that the citizens should be aware that releasing = death. they were too sheltered. all other instances of releasing though like with rule-breakers or the newchildren were beyond horrendous.


finally: what do you make of the ending?

mainly asking this because I'm so confused lol. im guessing that the thing Jonah eventually (maybe) saw was remnants of the old world or something and he could see it because of the capacity to see beyond?? I really don't know haha


So anyway! what do you guys think of the questions? plus any final comments? we got a bunch of new members this month and its great how many read the book :)

Also just housekeeping while I'm here: I've decided to close the poll on Friday (dec 27) so make sure to vote if you haven't! so far one of us is lying has the most

happy Christmas eve everyone :)

merry xmas Charlotte, and everyone :))! 🎄☃️

1. The releasing of people who weren’t part of The Old yet... that really got me. I feel like it was so unnecessary. This may be because I have a baby brother and I’m way too protective over him, so the part with the baby being released was horrifying for me (I’m trying to use as little spoilers as needed for people who haven’t finished it yet.)

2. I think I kinda answered it in the 1st question. I really don’t agree with it, as I think it’s so unnecessary, and it kinda reminds me of the One Child.Policy in China

3. The ending really confused me, and I don’t really have the will to carry on with the series now.... I found it nice how Gabriel had a happy ending though :)

yeah the whole thing with how Gabriel got transferred memories is really interesting and has potential!

hey Jia, I saw you're reading the rest of the series so how's it going? :)

I'm the kind of girl who wants to know that they married and had two kids or three so I had to know about how they lived and they were not in the second book so I read the third and HE was there but HE wasn't so on to the last, so yeah and it's going pretty good like reread them good. :)

I didn’t have the will to go on, but I might come back to the series some day, or if it’s free somewhere, I just wouldn’t pay money to read it :( x