Content Warning: This section of the guide contains discussion of illness. 

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. How did you feel about Jaouad’s decision to structure her memoir in two distinct parts–her experience with illness and her journey toward healing? What impact did this structure have on your reading experience?

2. The memoir explores multiple forms of writing—journals, blogs, letters, and columns. Which of these formats resonated most strongly with you, and why?

3. How does this memoir compare to other illness narratives you’ve read, such as When Breath Becomes Air or The Year of Magical Thinking? What makes Jaouad’s perspective unique?

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1. Throughout the memoir, Jaouad grapples with living in “in-between” spaces. What “in-between” experiences in your own life help you relate to her journey?

2. The author describes how illness changed her relationship with time and planning for the future. Could you relate to this idea? What other forms of uncertainty do you think might influence a person’s

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