The Procrastinators Book Club discussion

Welcome to the Internment Buddy Read Discussion thread! This thread officially opens on July 5th and anyone can join at any time. Please keep in mind that spoilers are allowed in this thread but only up to the group's current reading place. Do not spoil the book if you've read further than the group. Any extra days can be used to catch up!

Each day we will be reading by chapters or page numbers. Page numbers are an approximation based on the hardcover or paperback that is the default on Goodreads. The suggested Buddy Read discussion schedule is as follows:

Week of 07/
July 05: Chapters 1-6
July 06: Chapters 7-12
July 07: Chapters 13-18
July 08: Chapters 19-24
July 09: Chapters 25-30
July 10: Chapters 31-36

PARTICIPANTS
~ Brianna
~ Abigail

Chapters 1 - 6
(view spoiler)[From what I remember from the synopsis, this will be a pretty heavy book. Actually starting it - I completely agree. Although it's not necessarily dystopian - this is a scary view of what things could end up being AFTER some sort of bad event - politically.
"What's that thing people always say about history? Unless we know our history, we're doomed to repeat it? Never forget? Isn't that the lesson? But we always forget. Forgetting is in the American grain."
Part of me is surprised how quick she seemed to make friends, but really - I would hope I would be able to make friends that quick were I in a similar situation. That would be so much harder to go through alone. At least they have each other to lean on outside of their family. (hide spoiler)]

I'm a couple hours into the audiobook so idk which chapter I left off at (view spoiler)[ I didn't remember what the synopsis was, I just agreed to read it because I knew it was on my tbr but holy shit some of the things that are happening are absolutely horrifying. A lot of the things really.

It's terrifying how realistic it sounds, especially with the Japanese-American internment precedent. A few wrong turns and this book could be a reality.

I'm glad that she found at least one friend there. I also hope that I'd be able to make a friend that quickly in a similar situation.

I'm a little worried for her, though. She really wants to get out (and that makes perfect sense) but I'm scared she's gonna do something reckless and get herself or someone else hurt. (hide spoiler)]

Chapters 7 - 12
(view spoiler)[I have a feeling this tattooed guard is going to play a roll in this - hopefully a good one?
I wonder what his backstory is and why he's able to be in the position he is with as much heart as he has. He's gentle compared to the others and understanding (so far) of the situation but yet he's still working there and doing the thing.
I just can't imagine... to be uprooted from your life and then having to basically start a new life in such oppressive situations. And to think, this is already part of American history with the Japanese internment camps during World War II. (hide spoiler)]

Abigail wrote: "I'm a couple hours into the audiobook so idk which chapter I left off at I didn't remember what the synopsis was, I just agreed to read it because I knew it was on my tbr but holy shit some of the..."

(view spoiler)[YES. I am so worried that her recklessness of needing to be free and to see David and make a statement in a way is going to get those she cares about hurt instead of her. Like girl - slow down and think of others. I totally get it, but it can't just be about you or anything - you know? (hide spoiler)]

Ok I read right up to the end of chapter 24. I love the way the audiobook is narrated because there are sound effects and modulation on the voice when it's supposed to be over a speaker. I'm just really enjoying it because I'm not used to that kind of production.

(view spoiler)[
I'm also really curious to know more about Jake and what his alternate orders are and why he's helping so much.

I was really excited at how well the fast did and then they started breaking the reporter's cameras and I got real scared.

It was pretty dumb of Layla to meet up with David from a plan on the burner phone but I don't blame her.

There's still a while to go in the book but I'm really hoping they can find a way out soon. Especially after the fast things got so bad. I'm not confident that they will get out in a timely manner, and honestly after all the talk about the white rose, I'm not sure Layla's gonna survive at all. (hide spoiler)]

Chapters 13 - 18
(view spoiler)[I still very much can't imagine this being real, but at the same time I realize it is totally feasible. It's scary! I'm still not sure how much she is being brave versus being stupid with the risks she keeps taking. For as many cameras and people looking, I'm surprised she's been able to meet with David as often as she has. I know she has Jake's help, but it still seems slightly unrealistic. I'm just waiting for the other shoe to drop. Something real bad is about to happen - I can feel it. (hide spoiler)]

Abigail wrote: "Ok I read right up to the end of chapter 24. I love the way the audiobook is narrated because there are sound effects and modulation on the voice when it's supposed to be over a speaker. I'm just r..."

That sounds really cool about the audiobook! I haven't read your comments yet since I'm not so far, but when I get there I'll read them and comment.

I finished the book today!

I understand why she wants to meet with David but it just seems so risky and really not that rewarding now that he can't exactly break her out or anything like that.
(view spoiler)[
Okay I understand that Soheil jumping on the fence was probably great publicity, but that was such a dumb fucking move. idk if he thought the power to it was also down or if he didn't care but holy shit that was not thought through.

Also it's so fucked up that they used Layla as bait. It's great that they managed to end the camp and get charges brought against the director but it's also terrible that they put her through that.

I can't even put to words listening to the scene where the director is ordering the guards to shoot Layla and they all are like absolutely not she's a kid and then he pulls out his own gun. The audiobook added music over that part too and it was just an experience like no other. (hide spoiler)]

Chapters 19 - 24
(view spoiler)[It is somewhat refreshing to see the outside world also making noise - that the entirety of the U.S. hasn't given in to the hate and racism.
I find it interesting that the Director is really thinking that there is adult support in the fast/movement - as if "kids" aren't capable of doing things themselves.
I'm still waiting for something real bad to happen to either Layla or her family - the Director is going to use those she's close to in order to mess with her - I just feel it. (hide spoiler)]

Abigail wrote: "Ok I read right up to the end of chapter 24. I love the way the audiobook is narrated because there are sound effects and modulation on the voice when it's supposed to be over a speaker. I'm just r..."

(view spoiler)[Yes! I want to know who is issuing Jake's alternate orders and how many more guards and such are in on it. There's at least one in surveillance. (hide spoiler)]

Brianna wrote: "Chapters 19 - 24
It is somewhat refreshing to see the outside world also making noise - that the entirety of the U.S. hasn't given in to the hate and racism.
I find it interesting that the Directo..."

(view spoiler)[ I also agree that it is good to see people outside fighting back.

It's weird that the director is so hell-bent on it being adults that planned the fast. I really think half of it is just that he doesn't want to believe that "kids" could undermine him like that. He doesn't like the potential power that gives them. (hide spoiler)]

Chapters 25 - 30
(view spoiler)[One of the things that honestly doesn't surprise me is the fact that so much of what happens at this camp is against a lot of international war laws. It mostly doesn't surprise me because you can't use tear gas in war anymore and yet here in the U.S. it is used in riots/protests constantly. We are a nation who doesn't like to always follow all the rules.
Jake seems to have feelings for Layla so hints of a love triangle? Layla still seems very attached to David so not sure how that will play out yet.
I hope Jake doesn't regret standing up to the director like that. It could be very very bad. (hide spoiler)]

Brianna wrote: "Chapters 25 - 30
One of the things that honestly doesn't surprise me is the fact that so much of what happens at this camp is against a lot of international war laws. It mostly doesn't surprise me ..."

(view spoiler)[ I figured that the way the government is treating Muslims was probably against international war laws. I did not know that you couldn't use tear gas in war. That makes it so much more fucked up the way the U.S. uses it now...holy shit. (hide spoiler)]

For when you're done with the book: (view spoiler)[ I also thought there was going to be a love triangle. Especially with the way Jake was acting, but I was really glad there wasn't. (hide spoiler)]

Abigail wrote: "Brianna wrote: "Chapters 25 - 30
One of the things that honestly doesn't surprise me is the fact that so much of what happens at this camp is against a lot of international war laws. It mostly does..."

(view spoiler)[Yeah - in the Geneva Convention after World War I it was banned - but since that's a war/international ruling - it's not applicable to local government policies so police can still use it here. It's bananas. (hide spoiler)]

Chapters 31 - 36
(view spoiler)[Well shit. I didn't expect that to happen to Jake. I seriously want to know what happens next! I'm glad they got their freedom but back into what kind of world? And at what cost? I'm going to need time to process. lol (hide spoiler)]

Abigail wrote: "Brianna wrote: "Chapters 25 - 30
One of the things that honestly doesn't surprise me is the fact that so much of what happens at this camp is against a lot of international war laws. It mostly does..."

(view spoiler)[That was some way to stop the love triangle from happening! (hide spoiler)]

Brianna wrote: "Chapters 31 - 36
[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ I'm also curious about what happens next! I want to know how they handle getting back into the world. And also how the world is. (hide spoiler)]

Abigail wrote: "Brianna wrote: "Chapters 31 - 36
[spoilers removed]"

[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[Yes! It feels like it's just the beginning, but it's the end of the book. It feels like it would be wrong to have a sequel though. (hide spoiler)]