GBPL’s Comments (group member since Oct 22, 2013)

GBPL’s comments from the Open Book Club group.

Who was your favorite character and why?
Which character did you find the most complex or intriguing and why?
How did the main character(s) change or grow throughout the story?
How did the secondary characters impact or influence the main character(s) or story?
Which character did you relate to or empathize with the most and why?
Which character did you dislike or disagree with the most and why?
Are there any characters you wish you could have given advice to? What would you tell them?
What do you think happens to the characters after the novel concludes?
How did the author create conflict and tension in the book? What was the main conflict or problem in the story and how was it resolved?
How did the author keep you interested or surprised throughout the story?
What was the most memorable or shocking scene or twist in the story and why?
What was the most satisfying or disappointing part of the story and why?
How did you feel about the ending? Was it satisfying or did you want more?
(questions from bookclubs.com)

https://www.essence.com/news/victor-l...

Lone Women features fantastical, mystical elements that are counterbalanced by the most ordinary aspects of real, daily life. Discuss where the author finds the appropriate balance between fantasy and reality in this book to make it both accessible and believable.

The story takes place during early twentieth century America—the mining boom is over and abandoned ghost towns litter the landscape. How do you think this historical backdrop affects the behavior of the characters?

How are the themes of Lone Women relevant to modern discussions of race, privilege, and power?

How does the magical realism employed in Lone Women relate to recent pop culture representations of Black horror, such as Get Out or Us?

Explore the motif of ghosts in the novel, paying close attention to what it means to be haunted. Who appears as a ghost in the story, and to whom? What do these ghosts represent to the people who see them? Are the ghosts a welcome presence, or are they a source of terror?

Discuss the depiction of violence in Lone Women. What do scenes of violence— including Joab killing Delmus, Elizabeth ripping off Mrs. Mudge’s arm, and Mrs. Price getting shot—add to the novel? How do violence and tenderness coexist in this troubled setting?

The following statements are reiterated several times throughout the story: “Queer folk. That’s what they say about the Henrys” and “a woman is a mule.” What is the significance of the repetition? How do their meanings shift as the novel progresses?

This novel is both historical fiction and magical realism. How does Victor LaValle achieve his unique writing style? What details does he use from each genre? What does each add to the emotional content of the story?

In what ways does the past influence the present in Lone Women? How do the characters try to repress or escape the pain of their histories? What does the novel tell us about the relationship between past and present? How does this affect the characters’ interpersonal relationships and help them heal?

What did you think about the ending—were you satisfied or disappointed with it? How do you picture the Adelaide and the rest of the lone women’s lives after the story closes

Questions from bookclubs.com

Questions? Comments?

How did you experience this book? Was it exciting? Funny? Scary? Weird? Thought-provoking?
Did you find the characters convincing? Are they believable?
Which characters do you especially like or dislike? What are their primary characteristics?
What motivates the character's actions? Do you agree with their choices?
Do the characters grow or change? How so?
Who in the book would you like to meet? What would you ask or say?
If you were a character in this story, what would your role be?
Is the plot well-developed? Does the story make sense? Did anything surprise you?
Is the story plot or character drive? Is there a lot of action or more focus on the lives and feelings of characters?
The ending: was it predictable or surprising? Was everything wrapped up or was the ending ambiguous?
Can you pick out one part that you found especially interesting or profound?
Does the book remind you of your own life? An event? A person - like a friend, family member, or teacher?
If you could talk to the creator what would you want to know?
Have you read other books by this creator? Are they similar or totally different?
Do the words and pictures work together to tell the story? Or is the story more in either the words or pictures?
Does the artist use traditional rectangular panels? Or are there stylized panels or none at all? How does this impact the story or mood?
What do artistic or visual details tell you about the characters or setting?
How are the panels framed? What is included? What is left out? Is the subject shown up close? Far away? Why do you think the artist made these choices?
How does the artist depict time? Does lots of action happen panel-to-panel or are moments drawn out? How does this impact your reading experience?
Are speech balloons, lettering, or sound effects used in a creative way? How does this impact the story?

How does Babel both utilize and subvert typical elements of the coming-of-age story or campus novel? In what ways does Robin's journey to Oxford follow the expected beats of a bildungsroman and where does it differ – and to what effect?

How does Kuang use fantasy elements like magic to sharpen her critique of real-world imperialism? How does this contrast with the use of magic and world building in other speculative fiction you’ve read?

Discuss how Robin's identity changes as he learns new languages but forgets Cantonese. What does this reveal about language's impact on personal identity? If you know more than one language, how does navigating between them impact your own sense of identity or perspective on the world?

Discuss the complex paternal relationship between Robin and Professor Lovell. How does it develop over time and what might it symbolize in terms of Britain's relationship with its colonies?

Compare how Robin, Ramy, Victoire and Letty deal with being outsiders at Oxford. How do their backgrounds and choices differentiate them? Given their differences, do you think the ultimate shattering of their friendship was inevitable?

Explore Robin's ability to "pass" as white British at times. How does the novel examine racial assimilation and cultural identity? When does Robin hide vs. embrace his ethnicity and why?

What narrative purposes are served by the academic footnotes throughout the novel? How do they expand the perspective beyond what the central characters know? Did you end up reading them or skimming over them?

Compare Professor Playfair's claim during the welcome speech that, “Translation, from time immemorial, has been the facilitator of peace” (Ch. 4) with the book’s tagline “An act of translation is always an act of betrayal.” Which statement do you agree with, or do they both have elements of truth?

How does translation as betrayal play out over the course of the novel? How do the "matches" created in translation in Babel conceal or betray their cultural origins?

In what ways does Babel critique not just Britain's imperial past but also the role of elite academic institutions in maintaining oppressive hierarchies?

How does the novel incorporate historical events like the Opium Wars? What connections does it draw between daily life in Britain and life in its colonies?

The book flap asks, “Can powerful institutions be changed from within, or does revolution always require violence?” What did you think of the different approaches and answers the characters arrive at? Can you truly work to reform oppressive institutions while continuing to benefit from them, or does this make you complicit?


Discuss this quote from the novel: "This is how colonialism works. It convinces us that the fallout from resistance is entirely our fault, that the immoral choice is resistance itself rather than the circumstances that demanded it." How does this quote relate to the subtitle “The Necessity of Violence"?

Discuss the ending of the novel. Do you think the characters made the right decision? Why or why not?
(Questions may by bookclubs staff)

Would you recommend this book to someone? Why or why not (or with what caveats)?
What kind of reader would most enjoy this book?
How much did you know about this book before picking it up? What surprised you the most about the book?
How thought-provoking did you find the book? Did the book change your opinion about anything, or did you learn something new from it? If so, what?
How did the book make you feel? Did it evoke any emotions? Make you laugh, cry, or cringe?
How, if at all, did this book relate to your own life? Did it evoke any memories or create any connections for you?
Did you highlight or bookmark any passages from the book? Did you have a favorite quote or quotes? If so, share which and why?
What were some of your favorite scenes from the book? Why did they stand out to you?
What was the most challenging or difficult part of the book for you to read or understand? How did you overcome it?
How would you adapt this book into a movie? Who would you cast in the leading roles?
If there was one thing about the book you could have improved, what would it be?
Rate this book on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the highest. Why did you give the book the rating you did? Did any part of this book club discussion change your rating from what it would have been directly after finishing the book?

What were the main themes or messages of the book and how did they relate to the story?
How did the book make you think or feel about a certain topic or issue?
What did you learn from the book or what did it teach you about yourself or others?
How did the book challenge or change your perspective or opinion on something?
How relevant or relatable are the themes or messages of the book to your own life, or to society today?
(from book clubs.com)

What do you think of the setup for the story?

How did you feel about the main character?

Who was your favorite character and why?

At the halfway point of the mystery, who did you think the culprit was?

Did the ending surprise you?

What did you think of the clues throughout the book? Did they come together in a satisfying way?

Were the “red herrings” enjoyable?

What was your favorite subplot of the book?

Did you enjoy the setting? Is it a place you would like to visit? Did it fit the story?

What was your favorite part of the book? Least favorite part?

Did you enjoy the tone of the book? Was it cozy and funny or suspenseful?

Did you like the author’s writing style?

Questions from https://www.cozycrimes.com/book-club/...

ONE: What do the contemporary media reports on the wealth and lifestyle of the Osage reflect about white perceptions of Native Americans (pp. 6–7; pp. 76–77)? In what way do they lay a foundation for the way the murders and mysterious deaths were treated by law enforcement?

TWO: What was your first impression of William Hale (p. 17)? How does Grann bring to life his strengths and appeal, as well as the darker side of his nature? What qualities does he share with people who achieve power and influence today?

THREE: How did you respond to the description of law enforcement in America during the 1920s (p. 19)? What elements most shocked or surprised you? What made the situation in Osage County particularly chaotic? What effect did this have on the investigations into the deaths of Anna Brown and Charles Whitehorn?

FOUR: What does Grann’s account of the relationship between the United States government and Native Americans contribute to your understanding of the country’s history (pp. 37–44)? How did government policies affect individuals like Mollie and her family? What does Grann capture in his description of Lizzie’s death: “Lizzie’s spirit had been claimed by Jesus Christ, the Lord and Savior, and by Wah’Kon-Tah, the Great Mystery” (p. 36)?

FIVE: Discuss the circumstances that distinguished the Osage from other Native American tribes, including the actions taken by tribal leaders early in the century; the influx of white settlers and oil prospectors; the granting of headrights; and the guardianship system (pp. 78–80).

SIX: What is the significance of the murder of Barney McBride, the oilman who went to Washington to seek help for the Osage (p. 68) and of W.W. Vaughan, the attorney who worked with private detectives investigating the murders (p. 93–4)?

SEVEN: What does Grann’s portrait convey about J. Edgar Hoover (p. 107)? What traits stand out and what do they foretell about Hoover’s future as director of the FBI?

EIGHT: In what ways does Tom White combine the qualities of the Old West and of the modern bureaucratic system Hoover is trying to create? How does this influence the steps he takes in investigating the murders? How do the various views of White, including the stories of his childhood and his work as a Texas Ranger (pp. 137–153), shape your impressions of him? Would you define him as the hero of the book?

NINE: How were manufactured evidence, suborned testimony, and false confessions used to divert the FBI investigation? What role did independently hired private eyes and informants play in the search for the truth?

TEN: The crimes in Osage County involved many levels of deception and betrayal. In addition to the actual conspirators, who else either directly profited from the crimes or was silently complicit in them? In what ways did accepted mores encourage the corruption that plagued the investigation? 2 Discussion Guide: Killers of the Flower Moon

ELEVEN: What role did new methods of criminal investigation play in uncovering the guilty parties? In addition to introducing up-to-date forensic science, how did Hoover use the case to transform the Bureau of Investigation and simultaneously enhance his own image?

TWELVE: During Hale’s trial, a member of the Osage tribe said, “It is a question in my mind whether this jury is considering a murder case or not. The question for them to decide is whether a white man killing an Osage is murder—or merely cruelty to animals” (p. 215). Why does this observation resonate beyond the immediate circumstances?

THIRTEEN: Perhaps the most chilling aspect of Killers of the Flower Moon is the marital and familial connections between murderers and their victims. What explains Ernest Burkhart’s actions even as he remained married to and had children with Mollie? How does Grann bring to life the particular horror of crimes committed within a family and a close-knit community?

FOURTEEN: What does the evidence Grann uncovered when he visited Osage County in 2012 reveal about the lasting legacy of the “Reign of Terror”?

FIFTEEN: Killers of the Flower Moon combines the fast pace of a true-life murder mystery with the scope and detail of a narrative history. How does Grann integrate these different aspects of the book?

SIXTEEN: We are familiar with many American crimes and criminals during the early twentieth century from movies, books, and television shows. Why do you think the story of the Osage murders hasn’t received similar attention?
SEVENTEEN: in Are there recent examples of racial prejudice and injustice that parallel those described Killers of the Flower Moon ? What has changed about the approach taken by law enforcement? About the attitudes expressed by the white community in the face of racial or religious discrimination? In what ways have things remained the same?

Questions pulled from https://mpwnovels.com/2019/07/12/book...

1. What did you like most about the book?

2. What did you like least?

3. Was the ending a surprise to you? Why or why not?

4. What plot element surprised you the most?

5. What was the biggest red herring for you? Why did it throw you off?

6. Who was your favorite character? Why?

7. Who was your least favorite character? Why?

8. If there was a supernatural or horror element to the story, how was it used? Was it a metaphor for something else? (Many times, “undead” elements like ghosts, vampires, or zombies are metaphors for things that haunt us in our own lives.) Why or why not?

9. Were there any plot twists that stumped you? If so, which ones?

10. Did this book remind you of a different story (a different book or movie)? What did it remind you of and why?

11. If you could change something about the story, what would it be? Why?

12. Were there questions left unanswered that you just can’t stop thinking about?

13. What three words would you use to best describe this book.

14. What was your favorite moment in the book? Your least favorite?

15. What do you think the purpose of this book was? What ideas or themes was the book trying to get across?

16. In what ways did the main character’s emotional journey mirror the supernatural elements of the plot? (If there were supernatural elements.) Were there any aspects of the plot that highlighted or contrasted the main character’s growth as a character?

17. Was the location fictionalized or real? How did it impact the story for you? If it was real, would you have preferred a fictionalized location and vice versa?

18. “Things are never as they seem.” This is one of my favorite themes. Was there anything you initially thought was one way, but it turned out to be something else?

19. “Choose your own adventure.” Another of my favorite themes. You can choose to believe the supernatural element, or you can choose to accept the “realistic” explanation. Which did you choose to believe and why?

20. If you got the chance to ask me as the author of this book one question, what would it be?

QUESTIONS FOR CONSIDERATION (taken from Amor Towles website)

1. In the transcript at the opening of A Gentleman in Moscow, the head of the tribunal and Count Rostov have the following exchange:

Secretary Ignatov: I have no doubt, Count Rostov, that some in the galley are surprised to find you charming; but I am not surprised to find you so. History has shown charm to be the last ambition of the leisure class. What I do find surprising is that the author of the poem in question could have become a man so obviously without purpose.

Rostov: I have lived under the impression that a man’s purpose is known only to God.

Secretary Ignatov: Indeed. How convenient that must have been for you.

To what extent is A Gentleman in Moscow a novel of purpose? How does the Count’s sense of purpose manifest itself initially, and how does it evolve as the story unfolds?

2. Over the course of Book Two, why does the Count decide to throw himself from the roof of the Metropol? On the verge of doing so, why does the encounter with the old handyman lead him to change his plans?

3. The Count’s life under house arrest is greatly influenced by his relationship with four women: Nina, Marina, Anna, and Sofia. What is the nature of the Count’s relationship with each of these women? How do those relationships differ from his relationship with the members of the Triumvirate—Andrey and Emile?

4. The majority of A Gentleman in Moscow is told in the third person from the Count’s point of view. There is, however, an overarching narrator with a different perspective than the Count’s. Initially, this narrator appears in footnotes, then in the Addendums, then in the historical introductions of 1930, 1938, and 1946. How would you characterize this narrator? How does he differ from the Count in terms of his point of view and tone of voice? What is his role in the narrative?

5. In the 1946 chapter, Mishka, Osip, and Richard each share with the Count their perspective on the meaning of the revolutionary era. What are these three perspectives? Are you inclined to agree with one of them; or do you find there is some merit to each?

6. One of the pleasures of writing fiction is discovering upon completion of a project that some thread of imagery has run through the work without your complete awareness–forming, in essence, an unintentional motif. While I was very conscious of the recurrence of tolling bells, keys, and concentric circles in the book, here are a few motifs that I only recognized after the fact: Packages wrapped in brown paper such as the Maltese Falcon, Mishka’s book of quotations, the Russian nesting dolls discovered in the Italians’ closet, and the Count’s copy of Montaigne (in Paris). The likeness of stars such as the freckles on Anna’s back and the beacon on the top of the Shukhov radio tower. Sailors (often in peril) such as Robinson Crusoe, Odysseus, Admiral Makarov, and Arion in the myth of Delphinus. What role do any of these motifs play in the thematic composition of the book? And if you see me in an airport, can you explain them to me?

7. How does the narrative incorporate the passage of time, and does it do so effectively? Thematically speaking, how does the Count’s experience of Time change over the course of the novel and how does it relate to his father’s views as embodied by the twice-tolling clock? What does the novel suggest about the influence of individuals on history and vice versa?

8. At the opening of Book Five, the Count has already decided to get Sofia out of Russia. What occurs over the course of Book Four to lead him to this decision? Why does he choose to remain behind?

9. Near the novel’s conclusion, what is the significance of the toppled cocktail glass in Casablanca?

10. This is a novel with a somewhat fantastical premise set half a century ago in a country very different from our own. Nonetheless, do you think the book is relevant today? If so, in what way?

11. Bonus Question: Who in the novel also appears in Rules of Civility?

WHEN WOMEN WERE DRAGONS BOOK CLUB QUESTIONS
What did you think of the structure of the book? Did you feel like it added anything to the narrative? What did you think of the added documents, interviews, and other text in between chapters?

What did you think of the extended metaphor for women’s rage turning them into dragons? Did it feel too on the nose for you, or was it just right?

Alex tells this story as an adult looking back on her life. Do you think that she has had an overall satisfying life?

Consider the intense pressure to stay silent after the mass dragoning. What other historical events have been relegated to silence? What is lost if people aren’t allowed to speak of their experiences and trauma?

The taboo against speaking about the dragoning is obviously due to its connection with the feminine. Discuss how women’s bodies, experiences, and sexualities have been considered taboo over the years.

Consider Alex’s talents in the mathematics field, and all of the way that the men in her life try and push her out. How are her experiences in the 1960’s similar to attitudes still held today?

Alex is someone who has struggled with abandonment and isolation, both as a child and again as a teen and young adult. Why do you think she is so reluctant to open herself up to having a community and accepting help?

A turning point in Alex’s journey is when she encounters Mrs. Gyzinska in the library, who has a frank conversation with her about her current situation and following passage occurs: “Anger is a funny thing. And it does funny things to us if we keep it inside. I encourage you to consider a question. Who benefits, my dear, when you force yourself to not feel angry?’ She tilted her head and looked at me so hard I thought she could see right into my bones. She raised her eyebrows. ‘Clearly not you.” Why do you think Alex forces herself not to feel angry? Why is she afraid of feeling her anger?

This is a boldly feminist novel that explores all that is lost to upholding the patriarchy. Discuss the ways that the patriarchy is bad for everyone in the novel, not just for Alex and the women who dragon.

Throughought the novel, Alex never considers dragoning despite many women she knows and loves choosing that path. Why do you think that she never wants to dragon? What do you think Barnhill is trying to say about the fact that Alex never dragons?

The author uses real-life Korean folktales as a loose basis of her story (Shim Cheong, and the red ribbon of fate) and for the folktales Mina tells to the Sea God (like the Woodcutter). Axie Oh mentioned she used her personal favorites. Do you have a favorite folktale or parable that you loved when you were little?

Questions
1. Mina wants the young women in her world to be able to choose their own stories. She can be reckless, but she considers standing by doing nothing when someone she loves is in trouble more impossible than jumping in feet first. What did you think of Mina as our protagonist?

2. What did you think of this magical world of spirits, where some get a “second chance” at living if they want it hard enough? Did you have a part you liked best?


3. What did you think about the Gods and Goddesses of Mina’s world and her people’s relationship with them?

4. The idea of fate plays a big role in the novel. Do you think Mina was always fated to be with the Sea God (especially since she didn’t realize it was actually Shin) or do you think she wrote her own story with the actions she took?

5. The emperor and the Sea God’s have a unique connection. Did you find their actions understandable? Did knowing all the facts after seeing the memory of what happened one hundred years ago change your feelings on the characters?

6. Let’s talk about the romance between Mina and Shin. Did you like the way their story went, and how it ended?

7. Did you guess who Mask, Dai, and Miki were to Mina prior to the reveal? Did you like that twist that they were her ancestors helping out all along?


8. There’s a colorful cast of characters in Mina’s present and past. Were there any secondary characters you would’ve liked to have learned more about or would’ve wanted to spend more time with?

1. Has anyone read the book before? Did you like it more or less this time around?
2. Did the author do a good job of world building? Why or why not?
3. One of the castle doors opens to modern Wales. Did this surprise you? How does this change your perception of the fantasy world?
4. Is there a main character? If so, who?
5. Did the author do a good job of character development?
6. Many of the characters are not quite themselves, or not quite honest about who they are, including Sophie, Howl, Calcifer, the Witch of the Waste, Lettie, Martha, Prince Justin, and Wizard Suliman? Is the author making a point here, and if so, what?
7. How was Howl, a man in his twenties, affected by the fact that Calcifer has had his heart for a number of years?
8. Were there parts of the book you especially enjoyed, or parts you did not like?
9. Did the plot take turns you did not expect, or did you find it predictable? What surprised you most?
10. If you read a lot of fantasy, which parts of this book seemed original? 11. Who has seen the movie? How does it compare?
12. If you could talk to the author, is there a question you would ask her 13. Are there any questions you would like to ask, or other issues or elements you would like to discuss?

For the person who chose this book: What made you want to read it? What made you suggest it to the group for discussion? Did it live up to your expectations? Why or why not? Are you sorry/glad that you suggested it to the group (ask again after the discussion)?

Did you think the characters and their problems/decisions/relationships were believable or realistic? If not, was the author trying to make them realistic, and why did he or she fail? Did the male/female author draw realistic male and female characters? Which character could you relate to best and why? Talk about the secondary characters. Were they important to the story? Did any stand out for you?

How was the book structured? Did the author use any structural or narrative devices like flashbacks or multiple voices in telling the story? How did this affect the story and your appreciation of the book? Do you think the author did a good job with it? Whose voice was the story told in (from whose point of view is the story told)? How do you think it might have been different if another character was telling the story?

Talk about the author's use of language/writing style. Have each member read their favorite couple of passages out loud. (You might want to warn them ahead of time that they'll be doing this so they'll be prepared.) Was the language appropriate to the story? Was it more poetic or vernacular? Did it stand in the way of your appreciation of the story, or enhance your enjoyment of the book? If poetic, did the characters speak in vernacular language, or in the poetic language of the author? Was the dialogue realistic sounding? Was there a rhythm to the authors style, or anything else that might be considered unique about it?

Was the author fairly descriptive? Was he or she better at describing the concrete or the abstract? Was the author clear about what he or she was trying to say, or were you confused by some of what you read? How did this affect your reading of the book?

Talk about the plot. What was more important, the characters or the plot? Was the plot moved forward by decisions of the characters, or were the characters at the mercy of the plot? Was the action believable? What events in the story stand out for you as memorable? Was the story chronological? Was there foreshadowing and suspense or did the author give things away at the beginning of the book? Was this effective? How did it affect your enjoyment of the book?

What were some of the major themes of the book? Are they relevant in your life? Did the author effectively develop these themes? If so, how? If not, why not? Was there redemption in the book? For any of the characters? Is this important to you when reading a book? Did you think the story was funny, sad, touching, disturbing, moving? Why or why not?

Compare this book to others your group has read. Is it similar to any of them? Did you like it more or less than other books you've read? What do you think will be your lasting impression of the book? What will be your most vivid memories of it a year from now? Or will it just leave a vague impression, and what will that be? Or will you not think of it at all in a year's time?

Talk about the location. Was it important to the story? Was the author's description of the landscape/community a good one? Talk about the time period of the story (if appropriate). Was it important to the story? Did the author convey the era well? Did the author provide enough background information for you to understand the events in the story? Why or why not for all of the above? Was pertinent information lumped altogether, or integrated into the story? How did this affect your appreciation of the book?

Finally, what else struck you about the book as good or bad? What did you like or dislike about it that we haven't discussed already? Were you glad you read this book? Would you recommend it to a friend? Did this book make you want to read more work by this author?

READERS GUIDE
Questions and Topics for Discussion
1. The late 1950s into the early 1960s was supposedly a halcyon time in American history. But was it? The war was over and men returned home to take back the jobs women had done in their absence. As a result, women were pushed into more subservient roles. What influences played a part in encouraging women to accept their place as only in the home? And why, in today’s world, when women are in the workforce in record numbers, are they still doing most of the housework and child-raising?

2. Elizabeth Zott had no formal education, and yet she was able to self-educate, thanks to her library card. With the advent of technology, the library almost seems outdated, though many would argue that the library is more important than ever. Do you think libraries are important? If so, why?

3. Why does Elizabeth always wear a pencil in her hair? Is it a weapon or is it a symbol of strength?

4. Elizabeth refuses to accept limits placed on her by society and insists that others also ignore those limits. How do each of those characters ultimately rise to that challenge? And in what ways have you or others been limited by societal norms?

5. In the book, rowing is a metaphor on how Elizabeth sees a better society: that no one person in the boat is more important than the other. Have you ever participated in anything—work, sports, community efforts—where everyone must “row as one” in order to succeed? What are the hurdles people must overcome in order to reach the point where “it all feels easy”?

6. Six-Thirty is amazed by not only how often humans lie to each other, but how poorly they communicate overall. He struggles to understand the word “smart,” finding its very definition unintelligent. What does “smart” actually mean to you? Have you ever thought about what your pet might be trying to teach you?

7. The dictionary first defines faith as “the complete trust or confidence in someone or something” and “a belief in religious doctrine” second. Madeline draws this same distinction—that faith isn’t based on religion. Knowing this, what role does religion play in the book? What is a Humanist? What does the science of psychology tell us about the human’s desire to believe in something greater than themselves? And why do Elizabeth, Calvin, and Wakely all believe that personal responsibility—faith in one’s self—is more important?

8. The book includes male characters who are sympathetic to Elizabeth’s plight, and yet, with the exception of Calvin and Dr. Mason, have trouble standing up for women or other minorities in the workplace. Why do good-hearted people have trouble speaking up? And what are the consequences of not speaking up?

9. Elizabeth is sometimes depressed by the circumstances in her life. Not coincidentally, her show airs in the “Afternoon Depression Zone.” And yet she’s never a victim. How does she continually pick herself up? What fuels her resilience? And why, after she’s reached stardom, is she more miserable than ever?

10. Harriet Sloane is an inveterate magazine reader. How do magazines and media shape our culture? And what did Harriet mean when she first told Elizabeth to “recommit”? Is there some dream of yours that you wish you would recommit to?

11. Friendship and family are interconnected themes in the book. Can friendships sometimes provide family better than family itself? Walter isn’t Amanda’s biological father, but he loves her fully and is the most present person in her life. On the other hand, Avery Parker still loves the son she never knew. How do you define family?

12. Madeline fills her family tree with Sojourner Truth, Amelia Earhart, and Nefertiti to point out that all humans are related. But if humans are 99.9 percent the same, why do we treat each other so differently?

FIREKEEPER’S DAUGHTER BOOK CLUB QUESTIONS
Daunis is someone who has a lot of traditions and rituals, both formal and informal. Discuss the significance of her various rituals, and how the inform her life and give structure to her day.

Daunis is grieving at the beginning of the book, both the loss of her uncle and her grandmother’s illness. How does Daunis let her grief and her guilt guide her decisions? Do you think her decision to stay home and attend college locally is a wise one?

Daunis exists in many different worlds, and must learn how to navigate them and their various demands on her. How does she balance it all? What does she learn in trying to keep boundaries between her worlds? How does she succeed, or not?

Discuss identity and how each of the characters view their identities. Daunis is very aware of being biracial and feeling caught between worlds, and she and her best friend Lily also live with the weight of being unenrolled members of their tribe. How does that affect how they’re treated? Jamie also struggles to feel any connection to his heritage. Discuss the pitfalls and advantages of both being aware of your background, and also oblivious to your history.

Discuss the concepts of justice as portrayed in this book—how does Jamie view justice? How does Daunis? How do members of Daunis’s family and tribe view justice, and how does that differ from more traditional ideas of law enforcement?

Some of the most powerful scenes in the book occur in moments of ceremony and ritual. Discuss the significance of this, and how the author uses these moments to create tension and resonance.

How does Daunis learn who to trust? Discuss how she navigates her worlds, and how her decisions impact the investigation. Do you think there are times where her trust is misplaced? Discuss her motivations.

There are many elders in Daunis’s life who give her guidance and and share wisdom. Who was your favorite? If you could have a novel about any of the, which would you choose?

The end of the book finds Daunis in a different place, pursuing a different future than she first envisioned. Why do you think she decided to shift her focus? What do you think about her new path?

We are discussing "The Silent Patient" tonight!
Remember to bring a snacks or a book for the book exchange tonight!

1. While talking with Raj, Lydia reminisces about her relationship with Gas 'n Donuts: "but her nostalgia for the place had never been strong enough to outweigh her dread of dredging up the past" (138). How is Lydia’s relationship with the past presented, and how do you see it evolve over the course of the novel?

2. What were your initial impressions of the characters, specifically Lydia’s father? How did these impressions change over the course of the novel?

3. As Lydia assess her own muddied memories of the Hammerman, she visits Moberg, who has long suspected that Lydia’s father was the murderer. Hurting and suspicious, Lydia also seems to believe that her father might be behind the murders. Did you find yourself believing that her father might be guilty? At what point did you realize it was Raj’s father who had committed the murders?

4. Sullivan weaves a tight web of a story with characters whose lives are significantly intertwined yet all of these characters feel acute loneliness and isolation. Explore these themes with your group. What other themes do you see at work?

5. Mrs. Patel feels immense guilt about the O’Toole murders, believing that "their blood was on [her] hands" (302). Once she learns of Joey’s suicide, she experiences further emotional upheaval. Take a moment to think about the "justice" of Mrs. Patel’s final act. Did it take you by surprise? How did it resonate with you?

6. Lydia lives her life hiding in plain sight among books; discuss with your group this aspect of her character along with the one of the quotes Sullivan selected for the epigraph (from Steven Millhauser, "August Eschenburg"):

All words are masks, and the lovelier they are, the more they are meant to conceal.

7. Lydia’s familiarity with books and the bookstore setting are crucial to the plot of the novel. Discuss with your group the significance of Joey’s cutouts in books as a means of communication. Contemplate what metaphorical gesture Sullivan might be making.

8. Using the quote below as a starting point, discuss Lydia’s drive to uncover the mystery. How do your own philosophical ideals align with these philosophies?

"But then not having answers had always been the point: the point of her childhood, the product of her hours in the library, the sum of [her father’s] philosophy when she was a little girl. You leave yourself open to answers, he’d always taught her. You keep turning pages, you finish chapters, you find the next book. You seek and you seek and you seek, and no matter how tough things become, you never settle" (208).

9. Despite her long-term relationship with David, Lydia is still "fully aware of the one thing she could never reveal: her night with the Hammerman" (137). Once Lydia discovers that David has been communicating with her father, and he knows about the night of the murders she feels betrayed (213). Did you imagine that Lydia and David would ever recover from the secrecy? What values do you place on a relationship?

10. Sullivan ends the novel with Raj and Lydia happening upon a television show about the O'Toole murders and "Little Lydia," ending the novel with this line:

"And though [Lydia] wanted to close her eyes and feel the promise of this moment, she couldn’t help but look beyond his shoulder, hoping to see for one last time the girl he’d just erased from the screen."

Where do you think Sullivan leaves us with Lydia and her relationship to the murders and to herself?
(Questions issued by the publisher.)

1. From the opening lines, Gaiman hooks readers with a distinct narrative voice and a vivid setting. Discuss how both of these elements serve the story.

2. There is a rich tradition of orphans in children’s literature as well as a tradition of child-of-destiny themes in fantasy literature. Discuss how Bod fits squarely into both categories.

3. The graveyard is populated with characters we typically think of as evil. How does Gaiman play with this idea, particularly in the characters of Silas, Miss Lupescu, and Eliza Hempstock? What do these characterizations suggest about human nature?

4. Neil Gaiman and Dave McKean are frequent collaborators. How do the illustrations contribute to your reading of The Graveyard Book?

5. If you are familiar with Rudyard Kipling’s The Jungle Book, discuss how The Graveyard Book is reminiscent of Kipling’s classic tale. How does a familiarity with The Jungle Book enhance the reading of The Graveyard Book?

6. At the close of the novel, Mrs. Owens sings about embracing the human experience: “Face your life / Its pain, its pleasure, / Leave no path untaken” (p. 306). How does this theme resonate throughout the novel?

7. “A graveyard is not normally a democracy, and yet death is the great democracy” (p. 29). How is death the great democracy? How does Gaiman explore the relationship between the dead and the living?

8. It is often said that it takes a village to raise a child. How does this graveyard come together to raise this particular child? Describe the special mentoring relationships that Bod has with Silas and Miss Lupescu.

9. Boundaries—between the living and the dead, between the graveyard and the world—are an important part of the novel. How does Bod test these boundaries? What are the consequences of Bod’s actions?

10. Bod’s human interactions are limited to a short-lived friendship with Scarlett and a brief stint at school. Discuss how these experiences change Bod. How do our friendships and associations with others affect us?

11. What do you think of the advice that Bod receives from Nehemiah Trot, the dead poet: “Do not take revenge in the heat of the moment. Instead, wait until the hour is propitious” (p. 233)?

12. How does The Graveyard Book compare to Gaiman’s first novel for young readers, Coraline? Much of Coraline’s success can be attributed to its strong and diverse following. What are some of the characteristics of Gaiman’s writing that make it appealing to young and old alike?

13. Like much of Gaiman’s work, The Graveyard Book manages to fuse elements of humor, horror, fantasy, and mystery into a single story. Identify examples of these elements and discuss how they work together. How might the story read differently if one or more of these elements were removed?
(Questions issued by publisher.)