The Program by Suzanne Young

[Kat]

I know a few have expressed a desire to buddy read for this title so feel free to join in the discussion at any time.

All I ask is please pace yourself. The goal is to have this read in about 2 weeks or less.

Here's the proposed reading schedule:

Today or Thursday - pg 1-31 Fri- pg 32-58 Sat- pg 59-90 Sun- pg 91-121 Mon-pg 125-155 Tues-pg 156-192 Wed- pg 193-220 Thur-pg 221-256 Fri- pg 259- 289 Sat- pg 290-323 Sun- pg 324-360 Mon-pg 361-End

Let's try to stick to this as much as possible so that our discussion can be "on the same page". If you read a little more or less than the scheduled that's fine just try not to spoil.

Let's use this thread to comment,vent, and/or interact along the way.

[Ellon]

I just started. I really like the opening! It really draws you in. Plus, being a teacher, I find it interesting to hear the descriptions about the things no longer allowed because they might cause depression. We have to deal with a lot of things like that with safety concerns. For example, my students cannot use footballs during recess because it's "too dangerous." They are also not allowed to play tag because it's "too dangerous." The book is showing me what happens when this mentality continues.

[Kat]

I'm on pg 17. I can't help but wonder why the character's attempts to appear normal at school is coming off as emotionless. Is anyone else picturing them with "straight faces" as they interact?

Oh and Ellon, what you said makes me think of the school systems getting rid of the red pens "because it hurts children's feelings". Or perhaps the stress cards being handed out to privates at basic training(Army). The Kane Show mentioned a story on the radio about a summer reading contest at a public library where a librarian want to start enforcing a policy that would ban this repeat winner. The kid was like in 5th grade or something and read over 800 books. Apparently he needed to give the other children an opportunity to win by them kicking him out. I think the whole sensitivity thing can get ridiculous. I suspect it may even have a not so positive effect in the long run.


I can't wait to see where this story goes. I'm already hooked with the introduction.

[Ellon]

I'm definitely hooked too! I was thinking "darn, why did I ask for a slower pace" lol but I do have other things I need to get done like report cards so it's probably for the better.

The red pen thing is definitely stupid but I've seen it. My dad used to teach community college and they weren't allowed to use red pens , they had to use purple ( although I always thought that if every teacher was now using purple, wouldn't purple become just as bad as red).

[Elizabeth]

I don't think I'm going to be able to read The Program immediately, but I'll def try to get it done by the next meeting.

[Ellon]

I'm on page 68:

James is such a guy with his constant comments about Sloane seeing him naked haha. He makes them seem more like normal people.

Sloane asks " Would we commit suicide without the Program or does it help drive us there?" This is definitely making me think a lot!

I;m also thinking about this book that I read earlier in the year called The Tipping Point, which talked about how epidemics spread. One of the epidemics mentioned in the book was suicide on this small island. It never happened and then all of a sudden tons of teens were doing it. The book talked a lot about how when you see that it was acceptable for someone else, you are more likely to do it yourself. I feel like this is exactly what is happening in the Program. The characters would be less likely to even think about suicide if so many of there friends haven't already done it.

This is a great book so far!

[Kat]

pg79. I think they have it all wrong. Funerals are good because mourning is healthy. Not crying does not prevent depression. It's unfair that only adults can show emotion.

I was also thinking that this kind of society would actually drive you to contemplate suicide.

[Ellon]

Pg 85
This handler is really starting to creep me out!

[Ellon]

I'm also noticing they use sex (or other intimate acts like kissing etc) as an escape. It seems to be the only thing that brings them out of a funk even if just for a little bit.

[Kat]

Don't forget violence. That punch to the gut helped Miller snap out of it. lol.

[Kat]

pg 122 I almost desperate to know what's going to happen next. That last scene was pretty intense.

[Ellon]

Oh yea I forgot about the violence. The slap helped too b

[Ellon]

122
Warning: spoiler if you haven't read this far.









So are you thinking that Sloane and James will eventually find each other again after The Program is over for both of them?

[Kat]

pg 174....I got carried away...lol. I'll stop now and wait.

I sure hope so. I don't like Realm. He seems like a nice guy but I like James more.

[Ellon]

Katrina (Kindred Dreamheart) wrote: "pg 174....I got carried away...lol. I'll stop now and wait.

I sure hope so. I don't like Realm. He seems like a nice guy but I like James more."

I think you are reading a day ahead. Today was 91- 121, unless I'm reading the original post wrong?

[Kat]

We started Wednesday night instead of Thursday. So I see how it looks like I'm a day ahead. I'll hold off reading a day so you can catch up. :D

[Kat]

Sorry gals...I really lost track for a second there.

[Tiffany]

I finally got the book and I've read through yesterday. This book really pulls you in. I would definitely say that the program is making people want to kill themselves.

It would be interesting if they find each other and fall back in love. Sloane is definitely going to find the picture and ring in her mattress when she gets back and try to figure out what it means.

[Ellon]

pg 147

I'm proud that Sloane finally (kinda) stood up about the pills. I knew she would be forced to take them anyway but I was so disappointed that she was just going along with it.

Also, I reallllly hate the dark-hair handler. I have a bad feeling about him.

[Elizabeth]

pg 124

I thought I'd start last night and read a couple of chapters and then stayed up WAY too late cuz I got totally sucked in. This book is amazing.

[Tiffany]

pg 147

I feel like the whole therapy thing is to determine what they want you to forget and then the pill makes you actually forget what you just talked about, especially when the handler said she already forgot.

Do you all think James really tried to kill himself in the program or they just told her that?

[Ellon]

I definitely think you are right Tiffany. The therapy lets them know what's important and what memories need to be wiped.

I'm thinking a little bit about Eternal Sunshine of a Spotless a Mind when reading about all the memory removal.

[Tiffany]

Trusting Roger is a huge mistake. She must really be desperate.

I really want to know more about Realm. Why can he get away with anything? And how did he get access to her file?

[Kat]

I think Realm may be related to someone. How else can he get away with leaving. Or maybe he's voluntary and they have special privileges? Oh wouldn't it be juicy if he was a mole or something!

[Kat]

pg 182 UGH! I hate him! (you know who!)

[Ellon]

Pg 217

Definitely thinking that Realm is a mole after the comment that Roger made.

[Tiffany]

I just got to that part. Now its starting to get really good. Expose us for what? And where is Realm going?

[Ellon]

230

Ah I had a feeling that something like this would happen. Especially when Realm asked Sloane to give him the purple pill.

[Tiffany]

But what did he mean when he said they were "almost" done?

[Kat]

pg 231...I knew it! I hate being right. Poor Sloane.

[Kat]

Tiffany they're probably trying to weed out the memory she kelp with the purple pill. That's all I can think of. I mean it can't all be lies, right? Roger was perverted but maybe he was telling the truth about the pill.

[Tiffany]

I'm so anxious to see. That and what life is like on the outside. And if she will look for Realm.

[Kat]

pg 272. I love the pretense that even if something is forgotten, emotions will draw it back. So on some kind of level emotions help to remember. This gives me hope!

[Ellon]

How weird would it be to be the parents of a returner? I mean so many things about your own child's life that you couldn't ever tell them.

[Ellon]

323
Ahh I so don't want to stop reading for today haha. I'm dying to see what will happen!

[Tiffany]

Finally! I was wondering when she was going to find the picture!

[Kat]

I think the don't tell/lie rule is cruel. Especially when the mom specifically said that if it was meant to be that they would find their way back to each other. That was before the program. Now it's like everyone is against fresh starts.

I can't wait to see how it ends. We're almost done....Yay!

[Ellon]

Katrina (Kindred Dreamheart) wrote: "I think the don't tell/lie rule is cruel. Especially when the mom specifically said that if it was meant to be that they would find their way back to each other. That was before the program. Now it..."

Yea it's really not fair how they are keeping them apart.

[Tiffany]

Pg 342

"Some mistakes are destined to repeat themselves." Interesting!

[Ellon]

360
Ahh 45 more pages. I'm dying to see what happens!!!!!

[Ellon]

Oh I love this book! The ending was so great. And AHHHHH the Epilogue! I have some many theories floating around in my head.

[Kat]

The good- there's only a sequel left.
The bad- It won't come out until 2014!
The ugly- That was one heck of an ending.....who can wait that long?!?

[Tiffany]

I agree. The ending really makes me wish 2014 would hurry up and get here. I have to know how it ends.

[Elizabeth]

Oh, yay! You guys are done! I started it and finished the whole thing in two days like a bad buddy reader. But I loooooved it. Even though I don't actually find James all that attractive. I'm so curious to see what happens, and I hope we find out what caused the suicide epidemic in the first place...