Mood Readers Unite. discussion

In a novel-in-verse that brims with grief and love, National Book Award-winning and New York Times bestselling author Elizabeth Acevedo writes about the devastation of loss, the difficulty of forgiveness, and the bittersweet bonds that shape our lives.

Camino Rios lives for the summers when her father visits her in the Dominican Republic. But this time, on the day when his plane is supposed to land, Camino arrives at the airport to see crowds of crying people…

In New York City, Yahaira Rios is called to the principal’s office, where her mother is waiting to tell her that her father, her hero, has died in a plane crash.

Separated by distance—and Papi’s secrets—the two girls are forced to face a new reality in which their father is dead and their lives are forever altered.

And then, when it seems like they’ve lost everything of their father, they learn of each other.

I'm super excided for this but my book won't come in from the library until about 4 weeks :'( But I'll still come chat even if I'm late

Elizabeth wrote: "I'm super excided for this but my book won't come in from the library until about 4 weeks :'( But I'll still come chat even if I'm late"

Mine has been dispatched for the longest while :(

I'm on what I'm assuming is Chapter 3. The second chapter in Camino's perspective. I have a theory, I'm gonna hide it just in case I'm right. I think (view spoiler)[that Yahaira and Camino share the same father. Because Yahaira's chapter has her saying that she is disappointed in her father because she knows his secret. And they both lost their dad in the same plane. So I think that he had two families. I haven't really been paying attention to where these two girls live because I hate Geography and I never care enough but I'm gonna keep reading and see what happens (hide spoiler)]

Wow I hadn't read the synopsis on this book but I just did and it's quite obvious that that's basically the premise haha

I'm about to jump in! Woo hoo

Elizabeth wrote: "I'm on what I'm assuming is Chapter 3. The second chapter in Camino's perspective. I have a theory, I'm gonna hide it just in case I'm right. I think [spoilers removed]"

Haha that's exactly it

Up to Yahaira's second chapter. There are so many palpable moments of pain that I can't pick which one stands out the most. But El Cero (view spoiler)[what a PREDATOR? Ick! I'm worried for Camino (hide spoiler)]

Dee Dee wrote: "Up to Yahaira's second chapter. There are so many palpable moments of pain that I can't pick which one stands out the most. But El Cero [spoilers removed]"

I know, he's gross I love this quote about him (view spoiler)[ "I know, the most dangerous thing on this beach has nothing to do with the dark. The most dangerous thing is standing right in front of me." (hide spoiler)]

Yes that quote stood out to me as well!

In one of the Camino chapters, I forgot to keep track but she is talking about the changes that happen at school after the incident and there's this quote (view spoiler)[ "Dreams are like the pieces of fluff that get caught in your hair; they stand out for a moment, but eventually you wash them away, or long fingers reach in & pluck them out & you appear as what everyone expects." and I get what the author was going for and I relate and think that could have been very powerful. But why did the simile have to be about hair fluff. It just make me laugh (hide spoiler)]

Elizabeth wrote: "In one of the Camino chapters, I forgot to keep track but she is talking about the changes that happen at school after the incident and there's this quote [spoilers removed]"

I just got to that part and yeah...it's funny even though it isn't haha

Fourteen Days After - Yahaira -(view spoiler)[Her anxiety when her mother was driving off to work. Gah, I want to soothe her and tell her there's nothing to worry about, but it's understandable after losing one parent so tragically. (hide spoiler)]

Nineteen Days After - Camino - (view spoiler)[Tia thinks I have been inviting El Cero's attention,
Somehow his stalking has turned into
something I must have done.

This irks. (hide spoiler)]

Twenty Three Days After - Yahaira - (view spoiler)[& if this death money
will unshame me with my family, so be it.

Yikes. I get that she's hurt and ashamed...but shouldn't she think about her daughter's future? That money could go a long way for Yahaira's future, even if she doesn't want to acknowledge Camino's claim. (hide spoiler)]

Dee Dee wrote: "Nineteen Days After - Camino - Tia thinks I have been inviting El Cero's attention,
Somehow his stalking has turned into
something I must have done.

This irks."

Ugh yes, I was so annoyed especially when Camino did not correct her. It was so frustrating

Elizabeth wrote: "Dee Dee wrote: "Nineteen Days After - Camino - Tia thinks I have been inviting El Cero's attention,
Somehow his stalking has turned into
something I must have done.

This irks."

Ugh yes, I was so ..."

Exactly! I mean she did say that she didn't think Tia would be able to do anything, but at least having her know the truth would be better than to have her thinking that about you...

Thirty Five Days After - Yahaira - (view spoiler)[idk why all this time it didn't click that she didn't know about Camino. What a way to find out. Brutal. (hide spoiler)]

Forty-Five Days After - Yahaira - (view spoiler)[2 things: Camino's going to bury her father on her birthday??? Girl? I don't have that kind of strength, couldn't dream of it.
2) El Cero is such a disgusting predator!!! Grr. Taking videos of her on the beach! Where are the police please? (hide spoiler)]

Fifty-Four Days After - That entire interaction. All of it. Has. Me. Fuming!

Finished - Did I expect anything other than to love this one? God. Elizabeth Acevedo owes me at least two therapy sessions to deal with the trauma her books give me.

Yahaira - Nineteen Days After (view spoiler)[ "But I'll never know. What I would have said. Because Papi did not ask. He only lectured me and told me he was disappointed. After he hung up. I whispered into the phone. All the ways I was disappointed in him."
This broke my heart. I just can't believe that after missing all of her calls. After ignoring all the different ways his daughter tried to reach him, this man was not at all worried about his daughter? (hide spoiler)]

Yahaira - Twenty One Days After (view spoiler)[ I must make noise at my imaginings because Dre turns around, cocks her head, pulls out her earbud & places it in my ear. Goes right back to packing dirt around a bed of basil.
I love this relationship. I haven't read something like this since reading The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet but this is my favorite type of relationship. I love the domestic vibes where they're both comfortable around each other and are just there for each other in a really chill sort of way. (hide spoiler)]

Camino - Twenty One Days After (view spoiler)[ "She, the wife, has connections at the consulate. She’s made it difficult for your father to request you. He needed her citizenship papers to help obtain your visa.”
This made me quite angry. I completely understand her position. She was betrayed by her husband, he was the one that cheated on her. I truly hate that she turned that hatred towards Camino who has absolutely nothing to do with what that man did. (hide spoiler)]

Camino - Twenty One Days After (view spoiler)[ "I want to put my fingers against my sister's cheek. I want to put my face in her neck & ask if she hurts the way I do."
Camino is so pure I love her. The is no hatred in this girl's heart. (hide spoiler)]

Camino - Twenty Two Days After (view spoiler)[ “Camino, I would be the last person to judge you. But El Cero is dangerous.”
This is so frustrating. If she just told someone they could help her in the way that women help each other. They could accompany her to the beach so she won't be alone. (hide spoiler)]

Camino - Twenty Eight Days After (view spoiler)[ "I’m the child her father left her for in the summers. While she is the child my father left me for my entire life."

"I will not stand still while the world makes my choices."

"But no, she deserves to read it. I deserve to know & be known"

I really like the respect she has for herself. I just wish she had the same self respect when it comes to El Cero. That she would not let people assume things of her just because she is a woman. (hide spoiler)]

Dee Dee wrote: "Twenty Three Days After - Yahaira - & if this death money
will unshame me with my family, so be it.

Yikes. I get that she's hurt and ashamed...but shouldn't she think about her daughter's future? ..."

Yes that frustrated me too. (view spoiler)[ And especially how she is willing to do so much for these people who have never been there for her, but she won't do anything for Camino. (hide spoiler)]

Dee Dee wrote: "Thirty Five Days After - Yahaira - [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ What was also super brutal was when Yahaira's mom was explaining the two marriages. It must really hurt for your husband to tell you that you were only an aspiration (hide spoiler)]

Elizabeth wrote: "Yahaira - Nineteen Days After "B."
Exactly! (view spoiler)[He was neglectful and selfish. Idc how good he was while he was there, he completely checked out in this instance. (hide spoiler)]

Elizabeth wrote: "Yahaira - Twenty One Days After I must make noise at my imaginings because Dre turns around, cocks her head, pulls out her earbud & places it in my ear. Goes right back to packing dirt around a be..."

Well now I need to read that...like my TBR isn't long enough 😂

Elizabeth wrote: "Camino - Twenty One Days After "She”..."
Precisely! (view spoiler)[So unfair. Camino didn't choose to be the product of infidelity. Don't take it out on her. (hide spoiler)]

Elizabeth wrote: "Camino - Twenty One Days After "It..."
In this moment all I wanted was to hug them both. Their pain was so palpable.

Elizabeth wrote: "Camino - Twenty Two Days After “Camino,..."

I was FUMING! I get wanting to be strong and self-sufficient, but girl (view spoiler)[this man is not some puppy that you can control. Tell someone! Stop going to the beach alone! Protect yourself! (hide spoiler)]

Elizabeth wrote: "Camino - Twenty Eight Days After "I’m the child her father left her for in the summers. While she is the child my father left me for my entire life."

"I will not stand still while the world makes..."

That part!

Elizabeth wrote: "Dee Dee wrote: "Twenty Three Days After - Yahaira - & if this death money
will unshame me with my family, so be it.

Yikes. I get that she's hurt and ashamed...but shouldn't she think about her dau..."

Yesssss! Reckless and impulsive

Elizabeth wrote: "Dee Dee wrote: "Thirty Five Days After - Yahaira - [spoilers removed]"

[spoilers removed]"

That broke my heart for her. (view spoiler)[He had no right being that callous. None. You're in the wrong sir, the least you can do is not break her heart further! (hide spoiler)]

Thirty Seven Days After - Camino (view spoiler)[ "I think I hate this sister. She messages me that she has acquired a plane ticket. & how easy she says it."
Lol this came out of no where for me. Here i was saying how proud I was of Camino for not hating her sister and then there's this quote. Although I understand he feeling as I come from a very similar situation to Camino (hide spoiler)]

Forty Days After - Camino (view spoiler)[ "We are friends, but she is a mother now, & she is wary of anyone hurting her child."
This was so weird to me. Camino is literally a healer in training. I don't understand how Carline would think that Camino would harm her kid (hide spoiler)]

Forty Nine Days After - Yahaira (view spoiler)[ "Everyone spends years, my entire lifetime, lying to me about my family, but I’m the one who supposedly owes people the truth?"
Ugh yes, my thoughts exactly (hide spoiler)]

Yahaira and Camino (Yahaira) - (view spoiler)[ "for a moment I want to smack her hard. For wearing my face"
Oh my god so violent, what the heck, she doesn't even know Camino and she wants to smack her? (hide spoiler)]

Yahaira and Camino (Camino) - (view spoiler)[ " She sounds exactly how I imagined my father's other woman to sound: high maintenance, demanding. Una chica plástica all the way through."
Aw man I really don't like a all this girl hate. I get it because she's young and hurting, but it still bothers me (hide spoiler)]

Fifty Four Days After - Camino (view spoiler)[ “Why do you have this much cash? Were you meeting someone else out here? Why are you clutching your bag? Is there more?”
I don't understand why she thought it would be a good idea to give him money? Also why the heck does she keep going to the beach alone ahhhh! (hide spoiler)]

Elizabeth wrote: "Thirty Seven Days After - Camino "I think
.."

No, I completely understood this. (view spoiler)[she went from being the only one her father loved, the only one he had left, then to find out there was a whole other family, another daughter that had a place in his heart? That would hurt. (hide spoiler)]

Elizabeth wrote: "Forty Days After - Camino "n..."

Haha who knows.

Elizabeth wrote: "Forty Nine Days After - Yahaira "Eh?"
Ugh yes, my thoughts exactly "

I was so glad she was doing something for herself.

Elizabeth wrote: "Yahaira and Camino (Yahaira) - "for a moment I "
(view spoiler)[She had so much pain and hurt that she didn't know what to do with. I feel like this was the only way she knew how to deal. She wanted Camino to hurt just as much as she did. The pain isn't a rational one so her reaction to it is equally irrational. (hide spoiler)]

Elizabeth wrote: "Yahaira and Camino (Camino) - " Sh.."
Yeah, it's not fun to read. But I understood it :(

Elizabeth wrote: "Fifty Four Days After - Camino “Why do you have this much cash? Were you meeting someone else out here? Why are you clutching your bag? Is there more?”
I don't understand why she thought it would ..."

OMG yes! (view spoiler)[I was so mad through this whole thing. She was NOT thinking at allllll! (hide spoiler)]

My book just got here. I'm so mad `_`