Every Last Word

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How does Samantha’s family react to her condition? Do you think their support was crucial in her journey? Every Last Word is a YA novel about 16-year-old Samantha. She’s a swimmer, popular, and looks just like everybody else. But underneath it all, she suffers from Pure-Obsessional OCD. She second-guesses every move, thought, and word in her life. She goes to therapy every Wednesday, but the last thing she wants is a change in her life. Real life doesn't work that way. Mental illnesses don't work that way. I know very well it doesn't work that way because I've got it.

I know I'm not my mental illness. I think I'm an awesome person. I'm smart, I'm funny, I'm pretty good looking for my age. But at the same time, there's a part of me that just constantly whispers "You're not normal. You'll never be normal." It takes a lot of effort go to through my day sometimes. Compelling for its romance, nuanced portrayal of mental illness, and valuable description of the difference between fair-weather friendship and real support, this is a lovely and memorable story. Inspired by a teen with OCD, romance specialist Tamara Ireland Stone chronicles Sam's inner turmoil -- her impulse control; her difficult-to-control, spiraling thoughts; and her need to count and write and think, think, think, sometimes darkly and other times simply repetitively about everything. Surprisingly enough, this book did a 180 spin soon later and progressively got better. Sure, Sam still had these hella annoying and fake friends, but I started to get over that because we see less of them the more involved Sam becomes with her new friends. I particularly love Caroline, who is just such a supportive friend and funky girl that wears the best t-shirts. She also suffers from depression, though I personally would have liked to look into that a little more (but I totally get why the author did not). OH MY GAWD I CANONT BELIEVE THAT SHE WASN'T BLOODY REAL. I loved the twist but gah... WHY YOU DO THIS TO MY FEELS? I have trust issues now.

Every Last Word by Stone Tamara Ireland

What message do you think Tamara Ireland Stone is trying to convey about mental health and self-acceptance?

Discuss the role of Caroline in the story. How does her character influence Samantha’s personal growth? The New York Times bestselling, BookTok sensation, deeply moving novel of friendship, first love, mental health, and belonging, perfect for fans of Girl in Pieces and The Summer of Broken Rules The theme of friendship is central to this novel. How do Samantha’s relationships evolve throughout the story? Samantha is part of the “Crazy Eights,” but also finds a home in Poet’s Corner. How do these two social groups contrast, and what do they represent in Samantha’s life?

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This tender novel shows how powerful and helpful the brain can be under stress without being clinical or detached. This book is highly recommended. ” – VOYA Magazine How does AJ’s past encounter with Samantha and the “Crazy Eights” affect their relationship? How do they manage to move past it? Once again Tamara Ireland Stone blows me away with incredible characters and a story I couldn’t put down. Put this one on your to be read list immediately and then hide away where no one can interrupt you while reading. It’s such a poignant, beautiful story.” — Jaime Arkin Discuss the role of secrecy in the novel, from Sam hiding her OCD to the hidden nature of Poet’s Corner.