Examine the structure of Wayfinding. Why do you think the author chose a non-linear approach to the memoir? Why is it effective or not effective?
The title of this book is Wayfinding. What does this mean to you, in the context of the memoir? Did you find a relationship between wayfinding and other major themes of the book?
How does the book portray the complex overlay of chemical dependency and chemical use on the author’s experiences and the choices she made? Are there ways you’ve experienced the effects of others’ chemical use in your own life?
How are womanhood, sisterhood, and motherhood depicted in the book? How do the roles and actions of the female characters propel the narrative?
Where did you identify pivot points in the book? Which scenes would you consider most critical?
Consider the intersectionality of memory and storytelling. What tools does the author use to enhance believability and authenticity and build trust with the reader?
Which characters wielded the most power in Wayfinding and why?
How did you feel about the ending of the book? What would you ask the author if you had a chance?
PART II
Which scenes from the book have stuck with you the most? Did you reread any passages? If so, which ones and why?
Cars, car culture, and driving factor heavily into the mythology and history of both the author and the author’s family. How did you see this culture influence the book?
In the book, the author talks about her neurodivergence and disability. Did learning about the author's disability change the way you viewed the memoir?
On page 13, the author says, “I never knew my father was a thief.” What impact do you think the loss of a name had on the author’s sense of identity? What do you think might have been different if she had known the origin story earlier?
Throughout the book, the author longs for emotional connection and safety. Who helped her on her journey? Who might have helped her and didn’t? How could they have made a difference?
Starting on page 54, how do you think the conversation with the former nun reinforced the corrosive power of secrets? How does this resonate with current events?
Resilience is a central theme of the book. Another is determination. Were there places in the book where you thought the author might give up? Why do you think she persevered?
Consider the sequence of events involving David, beginning on page 74. What did this symbolize for the author? Were you impacted as a reader?
Wayfinding Playlist: Spotify
Enjoy this special Spotify playlist, created for your Wayfinding reading experience: