Pushing The Limits Read-A-Long: 4th week

Questions of the week:

1. At a certain moment, Echo tells Noah that she feels safe with him. Echo thinks that because of this comforting feeling, she may be able to finally have a full night of peaceful sleep. Why do you think it is important for Echo to feel safe? And why no one else but Noah has been able to provide this to Echo?

Noah and Echo both understand each other. In a way, this helps Echo feel safe with Noah. Also, Noah has been very supportive of her. They understand each others pain and for the first time since the incident she could just leave all her issues out in the open and be honest with herself.

2. Beth, Noah’s friend, also has a very complex life situation plus she also does drugs. However, what grabs my attention is her mean behavior towards Echo. Why do you think Beth hates/dislikes Echo so much?

Beth has a narrow perception regarding the likes of Echo. She is protective of her friends and her hostility with Echo is her way of looking out for Noah.

3. At some point, we finally get to know how Noah’s parents died at the fire and how it started. Unfortunately, this is something that has happened before. What tips to avoid a fire (especially when there are kids at home) do you know about?

Well, children in nature are very curious about their environment. They want to touch everything and play with anything they could get their hands on. The best way to prevent any accident especially a fire is to keep matches or any flameable objects away. As always, supervision goes a long way.

4 . Echo finally discovers more about what really happened to her the day she got her scars at her mother’s place. Unfortunately, this also involved Echo’s father and Ashley. What do you think about them and to what point do you think it makes them responsible to what happened to Echo? 

I really felt Echo's devastation here knowing that somehow her father had let her down. I really think everyone's responsible here. They're the grown-ups and they should have known by now how unstable Echo's mother is. But I still think Echo's mother is the most at fault here.

5. On p.303 (of ARC) Echo said to Noah: “I love you…[y]ou love your brothers more. I’m okay with that. In fact, it’s one of the things I love about you. You were right the other day. I do want to be part of a family. But I’d never forgive myself if I was the reason you didn’t get yours… I love you enough to never make you choose.”  What do you think of Echo’s decision to break up with Noah? What does it mean to you?

This was indeed one of the best scenes in the book. I was bawling and sniffing like crazy. This is just so heartbreaking for both of them. All his life, Noah has to choose. And now, Echo's giving him this one chance wherein there's nothing to choose from anymore and sadly, it's the most heartbreaking of all. It's very selfless of Echo to do this and it just showcased how brave she was and how willing she was to give everything to Noah even if that means walking away and giving up her happiness. 

Pushing The Limits Read-A-Long: 3rd week

Questions for the week:

1. In the beginning of this section Noah decides to ignore Echo because he’s angry and hurt. What did you think of this? Have you ever experienced a friendship that went awry and they started ignoring you?

I guess most of us has some kind of experience with this at one time or another. I did my share of ignoring but that's only because I need space and I don't want to say awful things that I'd surely regret later to that person. So, I know what it feels like for both ends and it's not really a happy thing.

2. Noah has a bit of a false reputation. Everyone thinks he’s a big druggie and a guy that just randomly hooks up with girls. While some of it is true to a certain extent, we see it’s not really him. Have you ever had a false reputation where people draw their own conclusions? Do you think Noah should do something to make people not think that about him?

Yes. On a personal level, this help me empathize with Noah more. For him letting other people brand him into something he's really not is his defense mechanism. He keeps everyone at arms length except for his two best friends and his brothers. It's hard for him to trust anyone, the distrust he feels for the system is apparent. I don't think Noah really cares what people thought of him, well, until Echo comes along. 

3. Ashley finds out she’s having a boy and informs Echo she will have a brother ‘again’. Echo took this very personally and was extremely upset. Do you think Echo overreacted? Do you think Ashley meant that the new brother would replace her brother?

What Echo feels for her brother is the complete opposite of what she feels for Ashley. It's clear that she blames her for ruining her family and I do not think she overreacted. She sorely misses her brother and she just acted the way someone would act if they feel someone they loved most is being replaced by a representation of something that torn her family apart. Of course, at first I thought Ashley was the villain but I think she means well. She might think by telling Echo this, she wouldn't feel so alone anymore. 

4 . Echo doesn’t remember what happened with her mother and for this reason she has troubles seeing her the way everyone else does. She can’t seem to not miss her and still wants to talk to her. Do you think she should pursue finding her mom? Do you think it will help her or do you think she would be in danger?

I believe that as much as Echo wants to see her Mom for answers, she wants to seek closure, too. Also, deep down inside her she wants to give her mother a chance. From her memories, she really thinks highly of her. I think she needs to see her Mom. It might give her the answers she needed and make her realize something about herself. 

5.) Noah doesn’t trust the people who have his brothers because of his own past situations. He decides to seek out a lawyer himself and try to get custody. Do you think this is his best move? Do you think there are some other options he should consider? 

Noah is really determined to get custody of his brothers. He feels that by doing so they could become a family again. But there are indeed better options for him. Because if he did get custody of his brothers, he will have to throw away his future to become their dad. It's not a bad thing, I know but his brothers are now has a family who clearly loves them. They have a great future ahead of them. It's really a complicated thing because no matter what we say, Noah giving up getting the custody means letting go of his brothers, in a way. I just hope Noah would give himself a chance and don't get too blinded.

6. Echo finds out that Noah and his parents built houses for Habitat for Humanity. Have you ever volunteered for something like that? What is a cause that you feel strongly about?

Actually, yes. We made a house back in High School. It was a very hot day and we were all really tired on our way home but it's a really rewarding experience knowing that you made a family happy and you've given them something permanent.  Then 2 years ago, we reconstructed two classrooms in a rural town. Education is something I feel strongly about and doing that classroom made me realized I'm actually helping those children to have a more meaningful and comfortable time at school and hopefully it will make them look forward to studying and learning. I don't get as much opportunity and time as I would like to reach out and volunteer but it's something I really want to do.

Pushing The Limits Read-A-Long: 2nd week

Questions for the week:

1. Noah and Echo create a plan to read their files.  What do you think of this plan?  Would you read your friends file first knowing you might not have time to read your own?  Would you want to read your own file?

I think the plan is very exciting. I don't think I could do it, though. I am a stickler to rules, the only thing I have trouble following is the time. (Yes, I am always tardy). Plus, when there's a prank going on, I am always the first one to bust it out because I can't even keep a straight face. Reading your own file seems like a big deal so I'd definitely wimp out and not do it.

2. Mrs. Collins starts to earn Noah’s trust by taking him to see his brother win a writing contest.  What do you think of how she’s handling Noah?  How would you feel if you were in Noah’s position, hearing that your brother sees you as his hero?

Personally, this was one of my favorite moments in the book. It's just so heartwarming and uplifting especially for Noah. Before, I really don't like Mrs. Collins but she's proving that she really cares and she's dedicated to make things work with Noah. I don't have any siblings but I have plenty of little cousins and if that moment happened to me, I know I would probably bawl my eyes out. 

3. Echo is starting to draw and paint again.  She’s starting to express the feelings and what she’s seeing as she’s starting to remember what happened that day.  Art therapy seems to be a popular way for people to deal with their feelings, why do you think Echo’s dad didn’t want her to continue with art since it was such a big part of her and is part of so many people’s therapy in dealing with similar issues?

There's something with art that could give Echo the memories she badly wanted back. I truly believe that even though his dad doesn't show it, he loves Echo. But that same love is greatly overshadowed by guilt and he is scared that when Echo starts to paint again, he might loss her, too. Stopping and prohibiting Echo to do what she loves may not be the healthiest option for her, but I understand her father for doing so even though it may seem selfish at a glance.

4 . We see how crazy Beth’s home life is and we start to understand why she is not as keen to be trusting with people in her life.  At the same time, we get to see how fiercely loyal Noah is.  What do you think of the way Noah reacted to Beth being beaten by her mother’s boyfriend?  Do you think it’s showing bad behavior that could get Noah in more trouble or the act of a true friend?

Well, friends got to do what they got to do. Noah is fiercely protective and loyal, just like Beth and Isaiah. For me in this kind of situation, protecting your friend even if it may lead to trouble is the righteous thing to do.

5 .) Echo has an unusual name.  What do you think of the story behind it?  Is there a Greek Myth or other story that would inspire you to name a child after a character?

Actually, I didn't think of it as a big thing. Although, it was a detail that added a little bit to Echo's character and provided a peek at Echo's mom. I think knowing the story behind her name subsconsciously made Echo wary about trusting people.

I think I would name my child Athena. I think she is the least petty of the goddesses. She is a great strategist and has a brilliant mind. I also like the sound of it, maybe it could be a second name? :P 

6. Echo’s big thing is trying to find “normal” again.  She doesn’t want to be the scared girl or the girl who can’t remember what happened to her, she just wants to be normal.  This goal impacts her relationships with her family, friends, Noah and her ex Luke.   But at the end of this section, Echo is starting to figure out that there’s no going back to old normal and she’s going to have to find a new normal.   How big of a step is it for Echo when she realizes she’s not “in” love with Luke and figures out that she does need to find a new normal?

So many things had happened to Echo that would probably scar her for life. She doesn't only have the physical scars to show for it but also the scars are deep within her. I think that even though she will move on eventually, the experiences would still be with her. I do believe in the saying that, "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger", and little by little I could see Echo trying to let go of the notion that she could go back to the way things were. It's a little bit scary to do that cause I know some people want stability and familiarity even if it's only at face value. Echo admitting she's "not into" or in love with Luke anymore is her way of letting things go and admitting the truth to herself. It's not exactly a big step into the "PAST IS PAST" land that will make her start bringing down the walls she made for herself but she's getting there. It's a baby step but she's on her way to that. 

Pushing The Limits Read-A-Long: 1st week

I am so excited to be participating in the Pushing the Limits Read-A-Long hosted by Candace's Book Blog, Dazzling Reads, Page Turners, The Book Swarm and Bewitched Bookworms. Pushing the Limits has captivated me from the very first page so I'm really looking forward to this event. It's my first time to join a read-a-long but I'm sure it's going to be a blast. If you want to participate just head here.

Questions for the week:

1. The story starts out with Echo’s thoughts on how she wants to answer her therapist’s questions (snarky and caustically truthful) which are quickly juxtaposed to how she does (milque-toasty and banal).  Who do you think she hides the truth for more, her parents or herself?

I think in both ways, yes. Truth is something Echo runs away from, in my opinion. I guess if you're living with that kind of family and has a control-freak dad, you'll resort to that just to save yourself from an argument you know you couldn't win.

2. We see Mrs. Collins, the school therapist, interact with both Echo and Noah in the first few chapters.  From those interactions, what do you think of her?  Is she a prototypical caricature of state care?  Or do you think she’s there to make an honest difference in the lives of those she’s there to help?

I find Mrs. Collins really overbearing and somewhat pushy. But this could also means that she actually cares. Those traits didn't make her any likeable than Echo's parents but at least she can stand her ground when Echo's father go into an authoritative-crappy mode.

3. Noah has two friends, Beth and Isaiah, who have his back no matter what–through thick and thin–and he has theirs. Consequently, his life is a little easier because he has two people who know about his situation. Echo only has one close friend, and Lila will barely speak to her in school. Do you think Echo would have had an easier time coping and moving on if she had friends like Noah does?

I believe so. Friends could get you through the toughest times but it's important to note that they're still young and they have this thinking that the world revolves around them. I do see Echo as a quiet, introvert person after the incident so I think a friend who'd just be there by her side no matter what is a good thing.

4 . Echo fixates on a colorful ribbon that sits on the school counselor’s desk during their one-on-one sessions. Do you think this is a case of “Oh, look at the pretty ribbon. Let me zone out while staring at it”, or could it have a deeper significance!

There's something really curious about the ribbon. I think it wouldn't be there if it's not significant. I feel it's something really important to Echo...

5 .) Noah and the jacket… Already when Noah and Echo meet for the first time, Noah got angry when Echo forgot her Jacket (pg 34). Then on Echo’s Birthday party Noah gave Echo his jacket when he saw that she forgot hers (pg 54). There is a significance behind his anger when Echo has no coat and it tells already so much about Noah!

a) Why do you think is Noah so focused on Echo and her Jacket and what does that tell you about Noah’s character?

It's the first indication that Noah isn't what he seems! It showed his soft, caring side. He just didn't know how to translate it to something that is not crude or snarky. 

6. Echo wears gloves all the time to hide her scars. Not only for her sake, but obviously also for the others. When Noah sees Echo’s scars for the first time he’s shocked.

a) Do you think this was the moment he began to see Echo in a different light?

Noah clearly branded Echo as someone who is a stuck-up rich girl who plays dress up and who cares about social statuses or who dates who. So I think when Noah saw Echo's scars, she realizes that there's more to Echo than he thinks.