Welcome to week two of the Pushing the Limits Read-a-Long.  The book is definitely delving into more serious territory now 🙂

Here are my answers for the week’s questions.

Questions Week 2: Pages  85 – 162

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

I am kind of split about their plan.  On one hand, I know their files contain information they desperately need and want to know.  But on the other hand, it may hurt them more than help them.  Echo is working slowly towards recovering her memories, and having them all come rushing back my reading her file will not be great for her already fragile psyche.  Noah wants to know where his brothers are living, but he will probably set himself back a lot by going to their home.  I would not read my friend’s file first, I’d read my own.

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?

I believe she had to take this track because of the nonchalant way he had been acting in their sessions, mouthing off and even skipping them.  By showing him what he’s working toward, it may help him open up to her.  My heart melted when I read that scene, and I know if one of my siblings had written that about me, I would be a puddle on the floor. 🙂

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?

I’m not sure at all about his reasons for this.  It almost feels like he doesn’t want her to remember.  I hope it is because he feels he is protecting her from having to deal with those traumatic memories.

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?

I don’t think this was great behavior at all from Noah.  I know he wanted to protect his friend, but the potential of getting in trouble with the law wouldn’t be very good for the prospect of getting back his brothers.  I believe since he has been in foster homes for so long, violence is how he responds to situations now.

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?

Well, I can’t say I love the name, and I didn’t understand why her mom would have wanted to name her after such a depressing story.  My child’s name is Nathaniel–I wanted something that wasn’t that common (such as the Aidens and Cadens of the world) but still wasn’t too out there.

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?

Luke is a pretty horrible and inconsiderate dude, so I’m happy she realizes the truth.  It’s very important for her to move on from the toxic people in her old life…normal doesn’t mean the same thing for every person.

It’s not to late to join the read-a-long!  Click the banner at the top for more info 🙂