Shusterman, Neal - Unwind - REVISITED - Start Date: Dec 14,2014

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

lol same here Gabby. NEVER would I have picked up this book! I still hesitated after reading the synopsis, but I like these BOMs and decided to do it and I'm glad I did. I didn't realise how much of a fan of YA fiction (and dystopian fiction) I would become, but I have read alot of them lately thanks to these reading groups and have not had a bad one yet!

[Jex]

@Gabby and @Kristen: I'm glad you picked it up too and that you enjoyed it as much as you did! I do find that sometimes YA isn't fledged out as much as I'd like it to be in storyline and world building, but it's often got some stuff in it. Although Dystopian in general is my favorite genre so this was my type of book :-P I'm glad we made you think! I've had the same experience with some other genres where I look at the book and think I'm going to absolutely hate it (I'm looking at all you romances out there) and end up getting pleasantly surprised. That's the great thing about these BOMs. You read things you never thought you would and challenge yourself to try something new.

[Parvathy]

True, Through BOM reads I have read books I had thought I would never read and now they are some of my favorites.

[Amanda]

I requested this book from the library because I saw it was the BOM. I probably never would have read it otherwise, or if I did I would have waited for a long, long time.
I couldn't put it down once I started. Everything about it was perfect. The writing style was beautiful and the ideas and plot points were amazingly well thought out. I knew I loved Shusterman's writing style, but when (view spoiler)[in the beginning when everyone is running from Lev and Risa because they think they are clappers, and the author never explains what clappers are until the end when it really matters (hide spoiler)], I knew he was a genius.
So now this book and its siblings are on my to-buy list.

[Sonia]

We're going to buddy-read the sequel, Thread here, you are welcome to join.

[Amanda]

I'd love to! I should have the sequel by then.

[Sonia]

Nice.
There is a short story between Unwind and Unwholly. I think Jex was thinking on reading it too and set a day to discuss it, since it only has 90 pages or so.

[Jex]

I think we're going to read the short story either a few days before or as part of the buddy read. I'll put in the schedule.

[Moderators of NBRC, Challenger-in-Chief]

BUDDY READ REVISIT! BUDDY READ REVISIT! BUDDY READ REVISIT!



This topic is open for discussion of Unwind. Be prepared for SPOILERS.

Synopsis:
Connor, Risa, and Lev are running for their lives.

The Second Civil War was fought over reproductive rights. The chilling resolution: Life is inviolable from the moment of conception until age thirteen. Between the ages of thirteen and eighteen, however, parents can have their child "unwound," whereby all of the child's organs are transplanted into different donors, so life doesn't technically end. Connor is too difficult for his parents to control. Risa, a ward of the state is not enough to be kept alive. And Lev is a tithe, a child conceived and raised to be unwound. Together, they may have a chance to escape and to survive.

Buddy Read Rules
Comments ALWAYS under spoiler tags

[Kristie]

Yay! Thank you. :)

[Eni]

when does it start? =x

[Kristie]

I don't remember if we chose a date, but I was planning to start mid-December. Does that work for you?

[Eni]

yup should work. =D HURRAY!

[Kristie]

Yay!

[Eni]

14th December?

[Stacie]

Eni wrote: "14th December?"

That date works for me!

[Trinity]

I would love to join you guys! This begins on the day right after my birthday :D

[Jex]

@Trinity: My bday is the 12th! Yay almost bday buddies!

[Kristie]

Eni wrote: "14th December?"

Sounds good! The 14th it is. :)

[Trinity]

@Jex: Woo almost bday buddies! Finally found someone to mine ☺

[Eni]

Kristie wrote: "Eni wrote: "14th December?"

Sounds good! The 14th it is. :)"

oh i was just trying to confirm it. Read it somewhere it was due to start on the 14th. was just making sure >_<

[Cynthia]

I'm also in for starting it the 14th.

[✿~Danielle~✿]

I'm hoping to be too

[Imke]

I'm in. I have wanted to read this series for a long time.

[Kristie]

Eni wrote: "Kristie wrote: "Eni wrote: "14th December?"

Sounds good! The 14th it is. :)"

oh i was just trying to confirm it. Read it somewhere it was due to start on the 14th. was just making sure >_<"

Just saw this! lol We probably did say the 14th somewhere else. I just didn't remember. Either way, it works out well. Looking forward to starting this one finally. It's been on my TBR forever.

[Cynthia]

Part I (view spoiler)[
So much new terminology! I can't imagine a world in which unwinding is better than abortion. Actually, I can, because undesirables would be eliminated and by the same process desirables are given extended and improved lives. No wonder it's a sacrament! (hide spoiler)]

Part II (view spoiler)[
I didn't properly understand 'storking' until this section. I assumed it was what the new world order called adoption. This is a horrible process!!

And clappers? Explosive blood? I bet clappers are anti-unwinding activists.

Lev has disappointed me. I understand he was brainwashed by religion, but doesn't he have any sense of self-preservation? (hide spoiler)]

[Trinity]

I am the 5th one hold for this, I'm not sure when I will be able to get it. :(

[Laura]

I am waiting for my copy also:(

[Kristie]

A few rambling thoughts. 20% in - past Part 1: (view spoiler)[It's so strange how so many people think of it as giving parts of yourself to others and therefor living through all of them. Glad to see there are a still a few that think..no, you are actually going to die!

I was proud of Lev's brother for standing up for him, even if others thought he was ruining the party. I was also surprised by the priest telling him to run! I am worried that Lev might not buy in to being saved fully. He seems to have very deep seated religious beliefs about the process. I hope he doesn't end up being a problem for Conner and Risa.

I was mad at Conner's girlfriend for ditching him. I don't think she had to go with him, but don't say you will then change your mind! It really messed up his getaway.

And finally...storking! What a weird concept! I can't believe that people are obligated to keep babies that are left on their doorstep. That woman didn't seem like she'd be a wonderful, loving mom for that baby if it was left there. I'm really curious who Conner thought the baby was. I'm sure we'll hear more about that. And what are they supposed to do with a baby!? I wonder if re-storking is allowed? lol So, if you get a baby that you don't want you can "re-stork" it?? (hide spoiler)]

[Kristie]

Trinity & Laura - Hope you are able to join us soon.

[Cynthia]

Part III (view spoiler)[

Partial brain transplants? This is getting creepier and creepier. I can't imagine having a part of someone else's brain in my head. I feel for CyFi. I'd also like to know more about this 'Heartland War' that made gay marriage illegal and allows undesirable people to get chopped up for parts. (hide spoiler)]

[Princess]

Idk what part am I but I'm pretty sure I'm almost at 11%

I felt like we are already in a dystopian society. There isn't that much difference in the setting of the book and the current situation of our world right now.

[Princess]

Finished: (view spoiler)[I love the way of thinking of the author. But what I'm really fond about this book is how the way the characters have different characteristics that set them apart. I badly want to read the next book already (hide spoiler)]

[Kristie]

72% (chapter 38) I am shocked and saddened by (view spoiler)[ the new Lev. I love that he has some self-preservation, but he is so angry and disenchanted by his his religion that he has gone in completely the opposite direction. Very sad. I hope he is able to come around.

And the Admiral is Dunfee?! Poor Emby!! Oh my gosh! I was so shocked! Did anyone else see that coming?? Horrifying. (hide spoiler)]

[Cynthia]

No, Krisite. I definitely didn't see that coming. (view spoiler)[ I thought it was just some urban legend. (hide spoiler)]

[Princess]

@Kristie yep I did not see that coming also.

[Kristie]

I did too, Cynthia!

[Trinity]

I will start once my copy comes in.

[Kristie]

chapter 61 (view spoiler)[ The description of the unwinding was horrifying. I can't believe they keep them awake the whole time. That's just awful.

Oh and poor Lev! A clapper. :( (hide spoiler)]

[Kristie]

Finished...wow!

[Princess]

@Kristie that's my favorite part of the book. I like how it is written, and somehow you can also imagine it vividly and you can sympathize with the one being unwind

[Kristie]

@ Princess (view spoiler)[ I didn't like Roland, of course, and I didn't feel bad for him when they brought him to be unwound. I did feel bad that he was awake that whole time. I can't even imagine how scary that would be. I'm sure that was the point of that scene too, making you feel bad for even the worst character.

Also, I think it makes a little sense why the part of the brain in CyFi's head didn't realize he was not in his own body any more. Creepy (hide spoiler)]

[Kristie]

End (view spoiler)[ One thing that bothered me about the book was the party the Admiral had for his son's parts (though a great twist and idea on its own). I can suspend disbelief that a piece of brain can have memories, wants, etc. I can even suspend belief enough that maybe an arm can have muscle memory to do card tricks or other activity associated with that part. I cannot suspend belief enough to believe that someone with another person's arm can remember when the wrist was broken. Maybe they have a strange lingering pain, ok, but a memory of the event, no. Unless everyone with a body part also got a brain part, I can't make myself believe that.

I thought the book was great, but that one thing made me rate a 4 instead of a 5. I just couldn't make myself pretend to believe that. (hide spoiler)]

[Eni]

i just started the book >_< i'm about 50 pages in (give or take. maybe more >_<)

So far I've enjoyed it a lot. It's a strange and creepy world. I can't imagine having the choice to Unwind your children. That's really bothering me. And how some of the families raise their children thinking it's ok, that they are special for being Unwound. NO! It's not OK! *shakes fist*

I've been really enjoying Risa so far. And of course, we can already sense some tension between her and Connor.

Connor.. i don't know yet. He seemed like a trouble maker before he ran away, and i haven't fully formed an opinion after that. I need to read more, i guess.

Lev... really? what is wrong with you? you fanatic child! *slaps Lev with a really large trout*

[Margaret]

So...I have just started and I am pulled right into the story, in fact dragged in! Sounds like I am not late for discussion. I immediately picked up on the emotional essence of Conner and that is what I demand in a good book. I can't wait to get further in to start some good discussion with you all. :)

[Stacie]

I just started this. Glad to see there are still people around.

[Kristie]

Lol, Eni! A trout, huh? ;) I almost spit out my coffee!

[Stacie]

Caffeine is illegal??? Noooooooo

[Stacie]

Spoilers up to about 28%/first 100 pages.

(view spoiler)[ So they've grabbed a storked baby, hidden in a school and Lev decided to be the pious 13 year old I suspected he was all along. Now they are hiding in a basement waiting for who knows what? I know we haven't seen the last of Lev. I'm worried that they are in the basement for nothing but that's because I've read a lot of dystopian books and trust no one! (hide spoiler)]

[Stacie]

I'm a little over halfway through. The stuff with (view spoiler)[ Cy-Ty is breaking my heart. I can't imagine what it's like to have a piece of someone else in your body, especially in your brain. I'm interested to see where the stuff with the Admiral is going. I'm not sure that I like any of the characters yet. I don't hate them but they aren't exactly likable, sympathetic people. (hide spoiler)]