Novel Melodies: The Program - Suzanne Young

Title: The Program
Author: Suzanne Young
Pub Date:  April 30th 2013
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Page Count: 405

In Sloane’s world, true feelings are forbidden, teen suicide is an epidemic, and the only solution is The Program.

Sloane knows better than to cry in front of anyone. With suicide now an international epidemic, one outburst could land her in The Program, the only proven course of treatment. Sloane’s parents have already lost one child; Sloane knows they’ll do anything to keep her alive. She also knows that everyone who’s been through The Program returns as a blank slate. Because their depression is gone—but so are their memories.

Under constant surveillance at home and at school, Sloane puts on a brave face and keeps her feelings buried as deep as she can. The only person Sloane can be herself with is James. He’s promised to keep them both safe and out of treatment, and Sloane knows their love is strong enough to withstand anything. But despite the promises they made to each other, it’s getting harder to hide the truth. They are both growing weaker. Depression is setting in. And The Program is coming for them.

Pairing with...

 
Title: Heartbreak Coverup ft. Alyssa Reid
Artist: Jesse Labelle
Album: Single
Release Date: May 15, 2012
Record Label: Wax Records
iTunes

My Thoughts

May include spoilers, read at your own risk! (I'm really bad at going spoiler-free as much as I try.)
After I read The Program, I was in a mess. Then I happened to listen to this song called Heartbreak Coverup. Even though The Program isn't all about love, I felt like this song had so much to fit this book!

INTRO

1ST VERSE
Watching you walk away
Even though I know I never should have let you out of sight

Everyone Sloane (Main character) loved was taken away from her and she blames herself.

I play the game even though I go up in flames and I'm burning down tonight.
The game of Sloane acting like she's okay so she won't be flagged into The Program.

You keep from me, but I'm drowning and slowly sinking in a bottle of Patrón.
I can't let go-oh oooooh I can't let go, so
CHORUS
It's just another lonely night
They happen all the time
Now that you're not around.
Sloane is missing everyone she loves because of being in the Program.

Like picking up a loaded gun
Holding the telephone
And I should put it down.SPOILER (highlight to read) - when Miller suicides and calls his friends before he dies.

It's just another wasted call full of alcohol,
Another night I know that I won't recall,
While in The Program, the people gave Sloane pills to forget all the things that happened to her.

And it's never enough, it's another heartbreak coverup.The Program is not enough; it's a coverup to make people think they're happy, when really, taking away memories, does not make its patients happy longterm.

 
2ND VERSE
It's there beneath all the shattered, broken pieces I've been trying to let go-oh.
Hiding away in the places to see distant faces of the love you used to know, oh.
Again, the memory loss of The Program is starting to make people Sloane loved distant and unfamiliar.

To keep from me and I'm spinning, I feel like dying, I got one foot on the floor
I can't let go-oh, oooooh I can't let go, so

"Feel Like Dying" implies suicide that (pretty much) any character could relate to. "One foot on the floor" means that the character is trying to hold on. For me, I felt like this line would be for James. (Read the book for an answer to "why").

CHORUS

BRIDGE 
It's another heartache, mistake, waiting for the rain after the knife
Cause crying won't be enough to wash the blood after the fight,

This reminds me of a line that James has throughout the book. He always tells Sloane to not cry because it (pretty much) makes her look weak.

You see the pain I'm feeling,
It isn't less, than the moment till I get you mine I'm still standing until I call the fight.

CHORUS

This is a new segment I'm hoping to start! Please comment if you like it and would like to see this again.

Author Info

Suzanne's Facebook | Goodreads | Twitter | Website |

Originally from New York, Suzanne Young moved to Arizona to pursue her dream of not freezing to death. She currently resides in Tempe, where she teaches high school English. When not writing obsessively, Suzanne can be found searching her own tragic memories for inspiration.

Suzanne is the author of several books for teens, including THE PROGRAM, A NEED SO BEAUTIFUL, and A WANT SO WICKED. Friend her on Facebook or follow her on Twitter @suzanne_young.