The Host: How does Wanda change?

As you read The Host, what does the story reveal about Wanda?

On page 105, Wanda thinks:

“Why did I no longer belong to the society of souls? Why did I feel like I didn’t… like I didn’t want to belong? Had I ever really been a part of the community that was meant to be my own, or was that the reason behind my long line of lives lived in transience? Had I always been an aberration, or was this something Melanie was making me into? Had this planet changed me, or revealed me for what I already was?”

How much of the doubt that Wanda experiences is influenced by her relationship with Melanie, who reminds her of the parasitic nature of their relationship day after day by not quietly acquiescing to Wanda’s control?

If you’ve already finished the book, would you say that living among the humans changes Wanda? Or does it simply make it possible for her to see the type of creature she really is? Do you think Wanda could ever experience the same changes if she’d stayed within the souls’ community?

The Host: Adult or young adult fiction?

In an interview with SheKnows.com, Stephenie Meyer was asked about sitting down to write a novel intended for an adult readership; she says, “Oh, no. I don’t think about that kind of thing at all. Actually I don’t make that call. I send the story to my agent. She got this and said ‘I think this might be more adult.’”

As you read The Host, called an adult novel by its publisher, are you feeling that this book is more adult or youngn adult, like Meyer’s Twilight series? If you already knew that Meyer’s previous books were considered young adult, did that influence your opinion about this book? If you’ve already read the Twilight series, did that influence your opinion about this book?

How much does a book’s label (adult or young adult) matter to you? For me, a good story is a good story, regardless of label (although I can certainly see why subject-wise, some books are most definitely adult fiction). What do you think?

Win a copy of The Host!

You can win a copy of this month’s Read with Me book discussion title. Updated: there are three chances to win: Lisa Damian is is giving away a copy of Stephenie Meyer’s The Host on her Damian Daily blog and also through Blogcritics. Enter to win by June 21. And NeedCoffee.com is also doing a book giveaway; the deadline there is June 22. Good luck!