Have you ever wished to know the day when death will strike you? Well in the book “They Both Die in the End” by Adam Silvera, this is the biggest issue facing Mateo and Rufus, the main characters. Over the course of the past month, the Wheaton Warrenville South book club has plugged into the story, reading bits of the characters’ last day to live. We are able to get to know the two boys better through the book as we learn about their misfortune and setbacks.
Mateo, a quiet 18-year-old, has always feared death and shut himself off from the world because of this. One day, he receives a call from Death Cast, the corporation that alerts people that they only have 24 hours to live. As Mateo looks back on his life, he realizes he has not lived to his fullest and is planning to make the most of his last day. Rufus, a 17-year-old orphan, had recently gotten off a rough breakup, and to make matters worse, is called by the death cast to find out he will die within a day. Although on the run from the police, he decides to make a last friend, Mateo, and go on his last adventure.
The co-presidents of the book club, Grace Banowetz and Abigail Barson, have been part of the club for the entirety of their high school years; they both share that this is a new book that the club has not yet had the chance to read. “I am excited because it is a perfect blend of almost sci-fi and romance vibes,” shared Barson. This popular book was an award winning story and has received a lot of attention in the past few years. It is no surprise that it was picked for the February story. “I am excited it has a little romance for Valentine’s Day, but also has a deeper meaning, with them both dying in the end,” said Banowetz…