Gayle Forman Read Along – If I Stay Week 2

Posted July 31, 2013 by Wendy in Read Along / 1 Comment

I got started late! So I’m jumping in at week 2. =)

Week 2 Questions:

1. Shortly after Kim arrives at the hospital, she goes to the hospital chapel to pray. How does this scene fit in with who she is?

Mia mentions that Kim is Jewish, that she is only allowed to date Jewish guys and that she goes to a Jewish sleepaway camp every summer. It plays a big role in her life so it seems only expected that she goes to the chapel first. It’s like something that she can cling to during this time.

In the pages we’ve read Mia begins to realize that it’s up to her if she wants to stay. What’s hard about this decision? Based on what you know so far, talk about where you think she’s at mentally and what her reaction to this knowledge might be.

Mia is terrified of this decision that she has to wrestle with and understandably so! She wonders how she can stay without her parents but how can she leave Teddy and Adam behind? It’s an awful decision to have to make. I don’t even know what I would do. To be honest, she is handling it a lot better than I think I would have.

Mia’s parents are definitely different than she is. How do you think their personalities affect Mia?

Mia’s parents are awesome! They’re very eccentric and sound like awesome parents to have! However, they are very different than Mia — they’re more about the rock while she is immersed in classical music. Sometimes she wonders why she isn’t more like them, she’s not as outgoing as them and it makes her feel alienated. But I think it gives a good balance for Mia.

The Halloween scene is one of my favorites – what do you think is significant about this particular scene in terms of Mia and Adam’s relationship?

I think this was a turning point in their relationship because Mia has always wondered why Adam even likes her so much. She tries to fit into his world by dressing up and throwing herself into her costume wholeheartedly. But by doing that, she sees that Adam doesn’t love her more or less, he just loves her the way she is. Just Mia. And that settles any doubts that she’s had about their relationship.

It’s also a turning point in the sense that this is where I realized I am completely in love with Adam. *sigh*

Mia desperately wants Adam and Kim to be friends, but it’s just not happening for them. Was it surprising to you to see Kim and Adam come together in the hospital? What are your thoughts on this?

Tragedies bring people together. Enemies can set aside their differences. Acquaintances can become close friends. It makes people put the insignificant things aside and come together for one common cause — to support each other in their grief. Mia is important to both Adam and Kim and to me, it makes perfect sense that even if they aren’t BFFs, they’re going to come together and work towards trying to see Mia. They understand and know how the other feels, they get it. And that common tie is there no matter if they’re close friends or not.

You guys, I have a confession. I got really really wrapped up in it and may have finished it. I know, I know, I suck at reading along! =( BUT I still want to “read along” with the questions and such. =)