Monday, August 16, 2010

The Secret Life of CeeCee Wilkes - Bookclub Discussion

I've recently joined an online/blogger book club. I've always wanted to find a fun book club to join and in the midst of my reading frenzy that has started once I got my Kindle, one of the bloggers I follow (Blue-Eyed Bride) announced that she was starting an online book club at Book Beginnings and Bookends. The first book we are reading is The Secret Life of CeeCee Wilkes.

The assignment this week was the first ten chapters, but the book was so good I could not put it down!

Our discussion questions for this week:

1. What was your first impression of Tim?
I really wanted Tim to be a good guy. I was weary of why a graduate student would be interested in a 16 year old waitress. Him studying Social Work made me want to like him, but I had such a hard time getting past the age difference and creapiness factor.
2. If you were in CeeCee’s position, would you be willing to help your boyfriend in the way that she is willing to help Tim? 
No, absolutely not. I hope that at 16 I wasn't that impressionable to be swept up into a plan as dangerous as that.
3. Why do you think CeeCee is so eager to please Tim? 
Tim is an older man who she has been eyeing for a while. Once her crush is no longer one sided, she is ecstatic about her new flame and ready to do whatever he wants/needs. Not to mention he is her first and all of the baggage that goes along with that. She is starry eyed and in lust.
4. Who do you think has it harder? Tim or CeeCee?
I think CeeCee has it hardest. She has been through some tough times, losing her mom at 12, foster care until 16 and then is out on her own. I can't imagine having to provide for myself at 16, living away from home and holding down a job. That is enough to deal with and on top of that she has Tim in her life influencing her to follow him down a dangerous path.
5. What character trait(s) about CeeCee stuck out the most to you in these first ten chapters? 
I thought she was awfully naive. She fell head over heals for this older guy, blindly thinking that he is the one for her and that she is the one for him. She will follow him wherever he asks, even against her better judgement. She is so eager to keep him in her life, she trusts that he also has her best interests in mind.
6. Do you think CeeCee is as mature as she seems? 
I was disappointed in the very childish decision she made to follow Tim. She seemed very young and small when she went against her better judgment. However, I think once she is embedded in the plan with Tim, she steps up to the plate. She is only 16 but has put herself in a very adult situation. It's either sink or swim and she is determined to survive although she doesn't know how that will be possible.

If you haven't read this book, check it out!!! Join the discussion at http://bookendbloggers.blogspot.com/

4 comments:

  1. LOVED all your answers. I didn’t have as much self control and so I read the whole book in no time too, haha!! Love reading your take on the first 10 chapters!! :)

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  2. I finished the book too. I just couldn't stop reading at Chapter 10.

    Yeah, Tim is a total creeper and CeeCee is just way too impressionable. I just want to tell her to watch out!

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  3. I feel so bad for CeeCee. She is being so manipulated by Tim and I'm scared for her!

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  4. So glad you're joining in the book club discussion! If only we could talk about it together :)

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