Taking a step into a world you may not personally understand is a privilege provided to us through the books we read. The ability to get a glimpse at another life has helped me build empathy and gain perspective on things I may never directly be exposed to. Particularly when it comes to mental health, I’ve found it extremely eye-opening and helpful to learn through the stories of those directly affected.
For readers who:
For those affected directly or indirectly by substance use, and for those seeking a deeper understanding of how addiction alters lives, this book offers a powerful perspective. It also provides valuable insights for anyone looking to gain a broader view on the impact of drug use.
Synopsis:
A drug addiction, a car crash, one dead girl, and a journey towards healing.
After months away, Joey is finally back from his drug rehabilitation program. Emory, his younger sister, is still healing from the knee injury she sustained from the car crash they were in the year prior. Emmy has always been Joey’s keeper. She loves her brother and would do anything to keep him safe, even if that means lying, cheating, and stealing.
She loves him so much that she kept his drug problem a secret from her parents so that he would not get in trouble. But what happens when that drug problem becomes something she cannot handle anymore? Sometimes keeping somebody safe means sharing their secrets, even if that means they get taken away from you.
Glasgow skillfully explores the aftermath of the car crash that exposed Joey’s addiction. She shows how one family member’s struggle with addiction and mental health can ripple through an entire family and town. As Joey’s fiercely loving sister, Emmy starts to unravel. She feels the pressure to hold everything together, even as she slowly falls apart. While all her attention is on Joey, whose attention is on her?
Key Themes & Takeaways:
- The Weight of Trauma and the Struggle to Move Forward: Glasgow expertly shows the challenge of moving forward while carrying trauma. We often see past experiences as distant, but they deeply influence our decisions. As Joey returns from rehab, his family tries to move on, only to find that ignoring past pain creates obstacles that complicate their future.
- Addiction’s Ripple Effect: Joey’s addiction affects not only him but also his family and community, particularly his sister Emmy. As she bears much of the emotional weight, her experience highlights the deep and far-reaching consequences of addiction. Glasgow skillfully explores how one person’s struggle can ripple through the lives of those around them.
- Discovering Identity Amid Chaos: In the novel, Emmy struggles to find her own identity apart from her brother. She’s spent so much of her life caring for Joey that she never had the chance to focus on herself. When Joey returns home, things start to fall apart, and Emmy realizes she can no longer be his sole keeper. She begins to rebuild her own sense of self.
- The Importance of Community and Support: Throughout the novel, themes of guilt and self-worth emerge as Joey struggles to “be better” and work on his recovery. When Joey returns home, he finds the support and understanding he had at rehab are missing. Without this, he quickly loses progress in his sobriety. Despite his and his family’s hopes, it’s clear that individual efforts can falter in an environment lacking empathy and the resources to support addiction recovery.
- Navigating Hope and Despair: In recovery, the journey is never linear. Throughout the novel, Glasgow illustrates the delicate balance between hope and despair as Joey experiences both triumphs and setbacks. For Joey and those around him, navigating these fluctuating emotions is challenging. Rather than resisting them, they must be understood as natural parts of the process.
Guided Questions:
1. Understanding the Protagonist:
- How does the novel introduce the character of Emory? What are her main struggles at the beginning of the story?
- What role does Enory’s past play in her present life? How does her family history, particularly with her brother, shape her identity and choices?
- How does Emory’s relationship with her mother evolve over the course of the novel? What are the key moments that influence their dynamic?
2. Family and Relationships:
- How does the theme of family influence the events of the novel? In what ways do family members enable or hinder each other’s healing?
- Think about your own family and how they’ve supported (or not supported) your mental health. In what ways do the relationships in your life help you cope or create more challenges?
- What sacrifices do the characters make for the people they love? How do these sacrifices reflect the complexity of caring for someone who is struggling with addiction?
- Think about a time when you’ve had to make a sacrifice for someone you love. How did it impact your own mental health? Did it help or hurt your relationship with them?
- What role does Emory’s friendship with Liza play in her personal growth? How does Liza help Emory see herself and her life differently?
- How do your friendships support your mental health and personal growth? Are there friends in your life who help you see yourself more clearly, like Liza does for Emory? How do they encourage or challenge you in a positive way?
- What role does Emory’s relationship with Gage play in her life? What does the experience teach her about self-worth in romantic relationships?
- Have you ever been in a situation where you felt like you weren’t being treated the way you deserved? What do you think makes a healthy, supportive romantic relationship?
3. Themes of Addiction and Recovery:
- You’d Be Home Now deals heavily with addiction. How does the novel portray addiction, both in terms of the individual (Emory’s brother, Joey) and the family as a whole?
- Think about how addiction or struggles with mental health affect families in real life. How do you think addiction impacts not only the person struggling but also their loved ones?
- How does Emory’s understanding of addiction change throughout the story? What role does empathy play in her ability to cope with Joey’s struggles?
- Have your views about addiction or mental health ever changed after learning more about it or after experiencing it firsthand?
- What does the novel suggest about the complexity of addiction and the process of recovery, especially when someone is struggling to change their life?
- Have you ever experienced or witnessed someone trying to change a difficult habit or behavior? How can we support others in their journeys, even when it feels like progress is slow or non-linear?
4. Personal Growth and Self-Discovery:
- Emory goes through a significant transformation throughout the book. What are some of the key moments that mark her growth as a person?
- Think about a time when you went through a personal change or transformation. What were the key moments that helped you grow? How did those moments shift the way you see yourself and your future?
- How does Emory’s journey in the novel reflect the importance of self-empowerment and self-care? In what ways does she learn to take control of her own life?
- How do you practice self-care in your own life? What are some ways you take control of your own well-being, even when other people or situations might make it difficult?
- How does Emory’s journey illustrate the tension between responsibility to others (especially family) and the need to care for oneself?
- Have you ever felt torn between taking care of others and taking care of yourself? How did you navigate that situation? Why is it sometimes hard to prioritize yourself when people you care about need help?
- What role does forgiveness—both of others and oneself—play in Emory’s development? How does this theme affect her relationships with those around her?
- Think about a time when you had to forgive someone or forgive yourself. How did that process help you heal or move forward?
5. The Impact of Addiction on a Community:
- How does Joey’s addiction affect not only his family but also his wider community? In what ways do people in the town react to his struggles?
- Have you ever seen addiction or mental health struggles affect a community—whether it’s a school, a neighborhood, or your own family? How did the community react, and what impact did it have on everyone involved?
- How does the novel explore the idea of community support versus isolation when dealing with addiction and trauma?
- Think about a time when you or someone you know faced a challenge and had to rely on others for support. What role did the community play in that situation? Was there a sense of connection, or did you feel isolated? How can communities better support individuals facing tough issues like addiction or trauma?
- What does the book suggest about the societal stigma surrounding addiction? How do characters like Emory challenge or conform to these societal expectations?
- Have you ever noticed how society reacts to addiction or mental health issues? Do you think there is a stigma surrounding these struggles in your community or school? How can we change these perceptions and create a more compassionate environment for people dealing with addiction or mental health challenges?
Resources:
- Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services
- Facts Fight Fentanyl
- Get Smart About Drugs
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Hotline
