While I'm Falling by Laura Moriarty
Book Club Picks

Veronica is like every other college student. She is overwhelmed by her studies, trying to make some money by holding down a job in her dorm, and building a relationship with her boyfriend. Throw into this stress: her parents' divorce and the deterioration of the family life that she once knew, and you have the basic set up of this story. Now add in some interesting predicaments that involve her mom, dad, sister, and schoolmates and it becomes something different.

This is more than a coming of age story about a college student. It is about families and the relationships that mold them. Natalie, Veronica's mother, has fallen into desperate situations after the divorce. In some ways, she looks to Veronica for support while at the same time, trying to maintain their mother-daughter relationship.

Book Club Choices: While I'm Falling Opinion

Although the situations in While I'm Falling were realistic, I didn't feel actively engaged in the story line. There is plenty to discuss, for sure. I just felt that the characters were missing some depth which made it hard for me to really like them. The central theme revolves around relationships, mainly between a mother and daughter. The twist was looking at the struggle that occurs when the roles become reversed in some ways. I wanted to read more about this mother-daughter team; about their feelings and opinions.

Book clubs will have things to talk about and I believe that "debates" can ensue about the story line itself and the way it was written. I'd like to hear opinions from others who have read it.

Discussion Questions: While I'm Falling

1. Do you say things aloud before you think about them, the way that Natalie did to her husband right after her mother had passed?
2. While having a conversation about her marriage, Natalie pretended to "hear" something that wasn't really said. Why was it important for her to do that? Why do we do that? Does it set us up for disappointment or does it allow us to hear what we want to hear?
3. Have you ever returned to visit or look at your old house? How did it make you feel?

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