Tell Me Lies

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

1. At the end of the book, CJ states, “Everyone has that guy” (371). Have you ever known someone like Stephen DeMarco? What were some indicators that the person was not truthful? What similarities did that person have with Stephen?

2. How does the atmosphere at Baird College compare with the college experience that you or someone you know had? How accurate is the depiction of college life in the novel?

3. Do you think the relationship between Lucy and CJ is realistic? Have you ever experienced conflict with a parental figure?

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

1. The book explores body dysmorphia, eating disorders, and unhealthy attitudes and perceptions about weight. How do the characters’ attitudes and perceptions of weight reflect societal beauty standards and the way society portrays and perceives thinness and body fat? How well does the book handle this topic?

2. How does the novel’s exploration of manipulation and psychological abuse in romantic relationships reflect societal awareness of toxic relationships and abuse? How has society’s awareness and understanding of abusive relationships grown and changed over time?

3. How do the pop-culture references in the novel reflect 2010s American culture?

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

1. How does music, such as that of Fleetwood Mac and The Cranberries, drive the themes and characters of the novel?

2. How relatable are the characters in the novel? Why do you think the author chose to focus on multiple affluent characters?

3. What is the effect of the novel’s narrative structure? How does dividing the story into four parts impact the reading experience? Does the dual timeline affect how you process the novel’s events?

4. How do the settings of California and New York set the tone for the novel? How do these settings drive the novel’s characterization and themes?