Awake

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. What were your first impressions of Awake, and how did your feelings about the book evolve as you read? Did it meet or disappoint your expectations of a Christian memoir?

2. How did Hatmaker’s candor about topics like divorce, grief, and faith deconstruction affect your reading experience? Did her openness make her story more relatable or more challenging to engage with?

3. If you’ve read other works by Hatmaker, such as For the Love: Fighting for Grace in a World of Impossible Standards or Fierce, Free Fire, how does Awake compare in its tone and message?

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

1. Was there a particular passage or scene from Awake that struck you deeply or stayed with you? Why do you think it resonated on a personal or emotional level?

2. In her recollections of her eighth-grade teacher, Mr. Berman, the author presents her body as a trustworthy guiding force, alerting her to danger that her brain is unaware of. Have you had a similar experience in which your instincts or body proved a reliable guide?

3. Hatmaker describes how reading Codependent No More by Melody Beatty changed her life as she recognized the traits of codependency in her own behavior. Has a book ever had a similar effect on your self-perception or your perception of others?

4. Hatmaker critiques patriarchal systems that silence or limit women’s voices. Have you encountered environments where you felt pressure to shrink or conform to certain expectations? How did you respond—or how do you wish you had?

Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes.

1. Hatmaker writes about the scrutiny and judgment she faced online. How does this backlash reflect the broader experiences of women in the public sphere and their relationship with social media?

2. In the US, people often intertwine evangelicalism with nationalism and politics. In what ways does Awake critique that fusion, and what might Hatmaker’s journey suggest about the future of Christianity in the US?

Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and symbolism.

1. Hatmaker’s story centers on awakening and self-discovery. What does “awakening” mean in the context of her journey, and how does it differ from traditional evangelical ideas of spiritual renewal?

2. In memoirs, the author is both the narrator and the protagonist. How does Hatmaker portray herself throughout the different stages of her recovery? To what extent is her narrative reliable and relatable?

3. The memoir has a nonlinear structure, interweaving scenes from Hatmaker’s childhood and adolescence with the story of her marriage breakup. What is the purpose and impact of this fragmented narrative style? Did it contribute to or detract from your reading experience?

4. Hatmaker interweaves extracts from songs and poetry into her memoir. How does this intertextuality expand on the book’s themes and message?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. If Awake were adapted into a movie, who would you cast as Jen Hatmaker and the significant figures in her life?

2. Throughout her memoir, Hatmaker includes poetry and song lyrics that reflect her experiences. Choose a poem or a song that articulates something similar that you have experienced.

3. Imagine turning Awake into a visual storyboard. What scenes, imagery, or quotes would be essential to include to capture its essence?