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The Memory of Light | Francisco X. Stork

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This was incredible. This was an audio read so I really don't know the spelling of names, but I loved how Vickie grew from her suicide attempt to discover new friends, a way to stand up to her father, and that she IS a strong person. Her Mom was right - she is the strongest. Stork made everything realistic - the loneliness, the depression, the treatment. A hard book that ended very positively. #YAApril @sblbooks @megnews

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The Memory of Light | Francisco X. Stork

#40Miles20Hours The first time I have gotten out since Chaya was sick. Up to 4.5/40 miles and 2.5/20 hours. @KristenDuck it may take me a long time.

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The Memory of Light | Francisco X. Stork

This post contains spoilers

sblbooks Thanks, I'm looking forward to next month! 5y

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The Memory of Light | Francisco X. Stork

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sblbooks I don't think it would have been very meaningful if this book have been written by someone who didn't have depression or some kind of mental illness. With the exception of, if a close friend or family member had it. 5y

Roary47 I agree with @sblbooks for a very real topic like this there needs to be someone that is in that world in some way otherwise the real emotion that this story brought would not have been as real. 5y

megnews @sblbooks @Roary47 I agree. I thought some of the descriptions of feelings and experiences were so dead on and couldn‘t have been described so well by someone who hadn‘t experienced it. 5y

Butterfinger @sblbooks @megnews @Roary47 I totally agree. It would not be an authentic read. I'd like to see the father's POV. He was so hard on her and expected so much. 5y

megnews @Butterfinger I‘ve thought about this quote about “befriending” your depression. Good description. I started having depression as a teen and it was always something to “get over” like getting over a cold. But it‘s more like a chronic illness, like diabetes. You have to learn to live with it. It wasn‘t until adulthood that I did that and it is really freeing. To realize it is just another part of you & stop fighting all the time. 5y

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The Memory of Light | Francisco X. Stork

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sblbooks I really liked it too. It was depressing at times, but that's to be expected considering the topic. 5y

Roary47 I appreciated the story. The only thing I didn‘t like would have had to been being in a low spot while reading it so I had to stop reading for a while. 5y

megnews @sblbooks @Roary47 while I liked it for its realness, all the stuff at the end from the time Mona left (or even them going to the ranch) seemed unlikely. Yes it‘s a story so there had to be something. It could be somewhat likely only in that with Mona‘s bipolar an impulsive act like that isn‘t surprising but unlikely all the kids could “save” each other outside the enlightenment brought during group. 5y

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megnews @Roary47 I‘m sorry it had that affect. I hear a lot of people mention triggers on certain topics such as this. Oddly, I almost always find it cathartic to know I‘m not alone in my feelings or experiences. 5y

Roary47 Thank you @megnews I was going through an unrelated problem and it brought old thoughts to light during the reading. I agree though it‘s good not to feel alone. 5y

sblbooks @megnews When I'm feeling sad or depressed. I don't like to be around cheerful people,or read real sappy, happy books. I read books about someone that's having it worse than I am, then I start to feel better. I guess it's like the old saying, misery loves company. 5y

Butterfinger @megnews I didn't think of that till now. Everyone seemed to be falling apart at the same time while at the ranch, but I am glad that the four stuck together and visited Gabriel and got Mona out of that situation. 5y

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The Memory of Light | Francisco X. Stork

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sblbooks It could be beneficial if someone was having thoughts of suicide. I like that the character survived the suicide attempt and came to realize that she had a reason for feeling the way she did. Students may see that they're not alone. 5y

Roary47 I think it would be a good idea as well, but I myself had to stop because it was too real. So forcing students to read it when they might not get far enough to see the overcome might not be the greatest idea. 5y

megnews @sblbooks @roary47 I think it could be beneficial because as I said earlier so important to know you‘re not alone. Maybe a teacher could start it with “this is a story about a girl who survives a suicide attempt and how she gets better.” Maybe even starting with the author‘s note at the end to show there is hope. People do go on in life and do things, become who they want to be. 5y

Butterfinger @megnews @sblbooks @Roary47 I think only a counselor or therapist should use this book. As a teacher, I realize I have not been trained to deal with all the feelings that would come out of reading it. I think it would be better to discover it on one's own. 5y

megnews @Butterfinger that‘s a good point. Sadly, it may not fall into the hands that need it. Maybe a school guidance counselor group or something. 5y

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The Memory of Light | Francisco X. Stork

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sblbooks I felt her father should not have tried to make her go. He did not understand or support her. 5y

Roary47 I agree with @sblbooks I was glad that Vicky wanted to stay at the hospital to try to get help. 5y

megnews @sblbooks @roary47 a little self disclosure. I made this question myself because I have been in the hospital under similar circumstances as a teen and I never wanted to leave. It felt safe. I always thought I was weird for that and it was interesting to find that included in this story. 5y

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sblbooks @megnews It was a great question. I'm glad you were able to find a hospital that you felt safe in. It's sad that sometimes family just doesn't get it. 5y

Butterfinger @sblbooks @megnews @Roary47 it made me very upset that the father would not see how she needed it. And Barbara. She didn't have anyone on her side. Except Dr. Josi?? I didn't have the copy. I don't know what the name actually was. 5y

megnews @butterfinger yeah, the pressure to get better can lead to anxiety, a whole other ball of wax. I‘ve tried to realize everyone can‘t relate to depression but I get angry with people who don‘t even try to understand. 5y

Butterfinger @megnews you hit it on the head. Some people don't even try. 4y

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The Memory of Light | Francisco X. Stork

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Roary47 Well, it helped to go through her recovery with her. This was after all the point of the book I believe. Self discovery. If it was in past tense I feel that would be foreshadowing that she was not successful in her efforts. 5y

megnews @roary47 agreed. I think the present tense makes the struggle more real because once you‘re out of that haze it‘s difficult to remember or describe how it feels. 5y

Butterfinger I think present tense is better for teen readers. Hey, there's someone going through this too. 5y

megnews @butterfinger yes! And thinking about this again made me think the present is where teens live. They can‘t imagine the future really. It makes it more of an ongoing dealing with depression rather than some future “I got through for over that” which some people won‘t find to be the case. Usually if you‘re writing about the past (in the future) there‘s been some resolution but that may not be possible in this case. Better not to set up unrealistic 5y

megnews Or hopeless expectations. 5y

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The Memory of Light | Francisco X. Stork

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sblbooks I like her. I felt she went to bat for everyone in the group, and had their best interest in mind. 5y

Roary47 I believe her methods were great. She really seemed to care and what what was best for her patients. 5y

megnews @sblbooks @roary47 I liked the way she made the kids not only come up with their own answers but also encouraged them to use their voices to express what they need. I wondered if she got overly involved with taking them to the ranch. Seems that would be frowned on in the medical field. (edited) 5y

Butterfinger @sblbooks @megnews @Roary47 ah, I finally know her name. I appreciated the diligence that she put in her case load. I just assumed the ranch was licensed for therapy. I wonder now. 5y

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The Memory of Light | Francisco X. Stork

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Roary47 They understood mental illness because they had it, but they were helping each other get better. It‘s so difficult to walk alone in something as self defeating at suicidal thoughts. 5y

megnews @roary47 I agree. I think sometimes it‘s easy to feel no one else understands and when you meet a tribe of others you feel less alone. Others with similar circumstances could understand you better and therefore help more (instead of the snap out of it mentality a lot of people have who don‘t have mental illness. It‘s important to feel understood. 5y

Butterfinger @Roary47 @megnews totally agree. 5y

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The Memory of Light | Francisco X. Stork

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sblbooks If you have a mental illness you have experiences that other people don't have. I believe she felt like they see the world in a differently. Hardships often give people wisdom that you can't get any other way. 5y

Roary47 I agree with @sblbooks experiences can help a person learn wisdom that they would not already have. Plus people that have mental illnesses have to learn their triggers, what will help them, and how to avoid triggering situations. 5y

megnews @sblbooks @roary47 I agree. I think it causes a lot more introspection that leads to not only understanding yourself more but also others. I think sometimes you look deeper into the why? more than the surface who what where when. 5y

Butterfinger @sblbooks @Roary47 @megnews I liked the dynamics of the four. They needed each other. 5y

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The Memory of Light | Francisco X. Stork

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Roary47 I think Mona brought the most drama. She was interested in a guy who could find her sister. The guy was not good for her health which the other characters knew was a bad idea. 5y

megnews @Roary47 I agree. I wasn‘t quite sure that Mona was interested in him or just using him to get to her sister and possibly drugs. EM could be dark and moody, quiet, with a temper you weren‘t sure when it could go. Gabriel added to the tension somewhat when you worried he would harm himself trying to “save” Mona. Vicky was kind of the normal family drama. 5y

Butterfinger @megnews @Roary47 they each have a different problem. And, I think they have or are learning to have empathy for one another. I felt so sorry for Gabriel and his voice. 5y

megnews @butterfinger I‘m glad you chimes in with your responses. It made me think even more deeply about the book. 5y

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The Memory of Light | Francisco X. Stork

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megnews Vicky needs to be able to heal from her mother‘s death in her own way. Mona is going to need medication and consistency. EM needs somewhere he feels safe. Gabriel needs a diagnosis and most likely medication as well. 5y

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The Memory of Light | Francisco X. Stork

This post contains spoilers

Roary47 They are all similar in the fact that they are fighting an internal battle of their own self worth. How they got to that point is different for all of them. 5y

megnews @roary47 Agreed. I‘d say they‘re all also similar in that they have mental illness except EM and that they all have different mental illnesses. All of them are affected by their parents in some manner as well. (edited) 5y

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The Memory of Light | Francisco X. Stork

#OverBookedClub #YAApril Discussion starts now!
Join in when you can.
If I missed tagging someone please tag them.

Deblovestoread, Butterfinger, sblbooks, InkedBookworm13, Littlewolf1, Roary47

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The Memory of Light | Francisco X. Stork

#40Miles20Hours Total 2.5/40 miles and 50min/20hours. I hope I get finished before #YAApril Discussion

KristenDuck Way to go! 5y

Butterfinger @KristenDuck I just realized I didn't tag you. 5y

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sblbooks

The Memory of Light | Francisco X. Stork

pick

⭐⭐⭐⭐
Stork delivers a honest portrayal of depression, mental illness, and suicide recovery. I highly recommend checking this one out. Join the #OverbookedClub for the discussion at the end of the month. #YAApril @megnews

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Littlewolf1

The Memory of Light | Francisco X. Stork

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This book was a heart wrenching and yet relatable in so many ways. I really enjoyed the fact that the book allows a person to get a glimpse of mental illness from this perspective, yet, it can be a little triggering if you‘re not in the right headspace. It does have a really good message of hope, and really brings to the surface the need of not feeling alone. All in all, I really enjoy the read. #yaapril #youngadult #buddyreads #overbookedclub

megnews, Roary47

megnews This quote. So true 5y

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The Memory of Light | Francisco X. Stork

#40Miles20Hours @KristenDuck I have symptoms of agoraphobia. When I don't have a consistent schedule I tend to stay home and then get physically ill when I have to do something. It affects me most at the end of summer and the first day back to a teacher work day, I just try to not pass out because of dizziness, nausea, blood pressure. So I am grateful for this to get me out. 1.5/40mi and 30min/20hrs to the tagged.

Sorry, I was personal.

KristenDuck I can understand that. Now must be really hard for you! 5y

Butterfinger @KristenDuck I think I will be fine when I go back if I can make myself leave my house a little bit each day. This is great motivation to go to the walking track. 5y

Andrew65 I think we‘re all in danger of becoming agoraphobic with the lockdown. I‘ve done my walking in the garden! Not left the house in a week! (edited) 5y

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The Memory of Light | Francisco X. Stork

pick

This was excellent.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Can‘t wait for our discussion Saturday.

#OverBookedClub #YAApril book 12

Deblovestoread, Butterfinger, sblbooks, InkedBookworm13, Littlewolf1, Roary47

sblbooks I need to get on the ball. I'll plan on starting this tomorrow. 5y

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The Memory of Light | Francisco X. Stork

#YAApril

rubyslippersreads, Peddler410, erzascarletbookgasm, LibrarianRyan, BethM, Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick, hes7, Deblovestoread, SaturnDoo, Butterfinger, TrishMcCallister, sblbooks, InkedBookworm13, Readswithcoffee, Littlewolf1, Roary47, Tracyantoon

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The Memory of Light | Francisco X. Stork

#YAApril

sblbooks That's the truth! 5y

Kaila-ann So true! 5y

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Roary47

The Memory of Light | Francisco X. Stork

so-so

This was a good read, but had suicide triggers. You really need to be in a good head space to read this book. It works through depression on different levels and scenarios, but though out if can be overwhelming.

megnews, amber_ldsmom, Butterfinger, sblbooks, Littlewolf1

megnews I haven‘t even started yet. Need to dive in! 5y

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Deblovestoread

The Memory of Light | Francisco X. Stork

#BookReport #WeeklyForecast. The Hollow of Fear is my favorite in this series so far. 4🌟 Mist and Fury is so much better than the first book. 4 🌟 This series has been a great escape from reality. I was all in reading The Memory of Light until the last 1/4 of the book when it lost me a little bit. I could have used this book when I was a teenager. I don‘t remember ever reading anything that matched how I felt.

Happy Easter, Litten!

Cinfhen, megnews

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InkedBookworm13

The Memory of Light | Francisco X. Stork

Here is my #aprilTBR for #yaapril
I'm going to try very hard to get a copy of The Memory of Light for #overbookedclub but it is a waitlist for digital copy at my library and obviously the physical library is closed.
@megnews

megnews Hope you can get a copy and join us! But if not have a great #YAApril! 5y

PaperbackPrincess19 If you want to buddy read the mortal instrument together I would love to 5y

InkedBookworm13 @Paperback.princess19 thanks but I'm actually almost done reading them all. 🤗 5y

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Littlewolf1

The Memory of Light | Francisco X. Stork

My #youngadult reads for #yaapril and #buddyreads #overbookedclub

megnews, sblbooks, Roary47

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sblbooks

The Memory of Light | Francisco X. Stork

My April TBR #Bookspin list. With 1 starting in the upper right and 20 being our #OverbookedClub pick next month. If you like #YA join in by tagging your reviews with #YAApril, or by discussing the tagged book at the end of the month. #BuddyRead
#Readalongs2020 @megnews @TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Great list!! 5y

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The Memory of Light | Francisco X. Stork

April‘s right around the corner. If you‘re joining #OverBookedClub buddy read, have you grabbed a copy of the book yet? I just got mine from Overdrive. Discussion April 25.
If you prefer to read your own stack or in addition to the buddy read, we‘ll be reading #YA all month long. Show us your TBR for #YAApril.
I hope I tagged everyone who wanted to participate. Everybody‘s welcome. If I missed you, let me know below.

rubyslippersreads, Peddler410, erzascarletbookgasm, LibrarianRyan, BethM, Deblovestoread, SaturnDoo, LitsyHappenings, Butterfinger, TrishMcCallister, sblbooks, InkedBookworm13, Readswithcoffee, Tracyantoon

LibrarianRyan 😁👍🏻❤️ 5y

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sblbooks

The Memory of Light | Francisco X. Stork

The #OverbookedClub is reading the Memory of Light for the April buddy read. If you like #YA be sure to join us. You can also use the hashtag #YAApril to post reviews for other YA books you are reading throughout the month. Get those TBR Stacks ready I can't wait to see what everybody's going to read next month. @LibrarianRyan @rubyslippersreads @LokiDokey @Peddler410 @BethM @erzascarletbookgasm @TrishMcCallister Everyone welcome!

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