Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. Knowing that Girls Like Girls began as a song, how did this context shape your expectations of the novel and reading experience? For those who have read other acclaimed LGBTQ+ coming-of-age novels, such as Benjamin Alire Sáenz’s Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe (2012), how did this book’s portrayal of first love and self-discovery feel similar or different?

2. Coley and Sonya’s story culminates in a dramatic, public reunion after a violent confrontation. How did you feel about this ending? Did their reconciliation feel earned and realistic, and what kind of future do you imagine for them beyond the final page?

3. What emotional note lingered with you most after finishing the book? Was it Coley’s journey through grief, the tender and chaotic development of her romance with Sonya, or the tense social dynamics of their small town?

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

1. Sonya constantly battles between her private feelings for Coley and the public image she feels pressured to maintain. Think about a time when you felt caught between your own desires and what others expected of you. How did you navigate that situation, and what did you learn from it?

2. The train tracks become Coley and Sonya’s private sanctuary, a place where they can be vulnerable and honest. Did you have a special place like this in your teenage years? What made that space feel safe and separate from the rest of the world?

3. Coley arrives in Oregon feeling like a total outsider, struggling to find her place after being uprooted. Can you recall a time when you felt like the new person in a group or community? What challenges did you face, and how did you find your footing?

4. The characters communicate through AIM chats, LiveJournal posts, and tense in-person talks. How have your own methods of communication with friends and loved ones changed over time, especially with the rise of different technologies? Do you find it easier to be honest in writing or in person?

5. After feeling deeply alone, Coley finds an unexpected sense of belonging and support among her coworkers at Makoto’s. Have you ever found a “found family” in an unexpected place like a job, a hobby, or a new community? What makes those bonds so powerful?

6. Coley clings to her mother’s Levi’s jacket as a source of comfort and protection. Is there an object or piece of clothing from your own past that holds a similar emotional weight for you? What memories or feelings does it bring up?

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

1. The novel is specifically set in 2006, a time before nationwide marriage equality and with a very different social climate for LGBTQ+ youth. How does this mid-2000s setting, with its flip phones and AIM chats, shape the story’s conflicts? In what ways do you think Coley and Sonya’s story would be different if it were set today?

2. Trenton’s character acts as an enforcer of toxic masculinity and heteronormative standards, using bullying and violence to control those around him. Where do you see these kinds of pressures and behaviors reflected in society today, either in schools, media, or other social spheres?

3. What does the novel suggest about the role of early digital platforms like LiveJournal and AIM for marginalized youth? How have online spaces for community and self-expression evolved since 2006, and do they still serve a similar function as sanctuaries today?

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

1. How did the narrative structure, which alternates between Coley’s first-person perspective and Sonya’s LiveJournal entries, affect your understanding of the characters and their relationship? What insights did Sonya’s private posts give you that you wouldn’t have gotten from Coley’s point of view alone?

2. The tiger’s-eye pendant begins as a symbol of Coley’s trauma and loss. How does its meaning evolve throughout the novel, especially after Curtis creates a new piece of jewelry for Coley? What does this transformation suggest about the possibility of healing?

3. How do the characters of Trenton and Alex function as foils to each other, representing different forms of masculinity? What does each character’s relationship with Sonya and Coley reveal about the social pressures within their friend group?

4. The novel frames Authenticity as an Act of Courage. How do Coley and Sonya’s journeys demonstrate this theme differently? At what key moments do they either choose courage or retreat into fear, and what are the consequences of those choices?

5. In what ways does the small-town Oregon setting contribute to the novel’s central conflicts? How does the lack of anonymity and the pressure to conform shape Sonya’s choices and amplify the risks for both her and Coley?

6. Sonya’s journey is largely defined by her fear of being outed, which leads her to make hurtful decisions. How does her story explore the impact of the closet differently than a story like Becky Albertalli’s Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda (2015), where the main character is also dealing with the threat of exposure? What do these different narratives suggest about the experience of coming out?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. What do you think happens after the end of the novel? Do you think Sonya will turn back against her authentic feelings once more, or will she commit to her relationship with Coley? How will their social circle react to their relationship?

2. The book originated from a song. If you were to create a short playlist of three to five songs for the novel, what tracks would you choose? Which songs would you assign to Coley’s perspective, Sonya’s perspective, and their relationship as a whole?

3. Imagine you could add one scene to the book from a different character’s perspective, such as Curtis, Alex, or SJ. What moment would you choose to show, and what new insights might that character’s point of view offer?