DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR “THE GUERNSEY LITERARY AND POTATO PEEL PIE SOCIETY”

What was it like to read a novel composed entirely of letters?

Did you find it interesting to learn that the book was started by one author and finished by another?  Talk about that a little!

Juliet wrote to Dawsey that “Perhaps there is some secret sort of homing instinct in books that brings them to their perfect readers.”  Have you ever felt that way about a particular book?  If so, what book was it and what made you feel that way?

What does a reader’s taste in books say about his or her personality?

What genre do you prefer and what do you think that says about your personality?

What historical facts about life in England during World War II were you especially surprised to discover?

Numerous Guernsey residents give Juliet access to their private memories of the occupation.  Which voices were most memorable for you?  What was the effect of reading a variety of responses to a shared tragedy?

Which of the members of the Society is your favorite?  Whose literary opinions are most like your own?

(Used Some Questions from library book pack binder)

November Book Selection

October’s book was “ A Lesson Before Dying” by Ernest Gaines.  We had a great group tonight at Kristen’s and really good conversation about a really good book.

Something new!

I’m doing a trial of using Instagram along with or maybe instead of this blog.  Check it out
at @lbc_ladies_book_club

September Book Selection

And, we’re off......

Year 11 started last night at Tania’s and here is this year’s Reading List:

LBCLBC YEAR 11 READING LIST

Discuss in:

September-“Peace Like A River” by Leif Enger (Book provided)

October-“A Lesson Before Dying” by Ernest Gaines (Book provided)

November-“The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer (Book Provided)

January-“Light Between Oceans” by M.L. Stedman

February-“The Awakening of Miss Prim” by Natalie San Martin

March-“If You Only Knew” by Jamie Ivey

April-“The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie” by Alan Bradley (Book provided)

May-“Caravel” by Stephanie Garber

Summer Read-“A Wrinkle in Time” by Madeleine L’Engle

Thanks, Tania!  Our kickoff meeting every year at your house is always a hit!  

Join us next month for another one of our favorite meetings of the year on Connie’s Big Front Porch!

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR “THE BOYS IN THE BOAT”

What made you want to read this book?  Would you have felt compelled to read it outside of book club?

Were you amazed at what it takes to be a rower compared to other sports?

Talk about Joe’s family life.  Which relationship do you believe was ultimately the most pivotal for Joe?

How did Ulbrickson and Pocock influence Joe in different ways?

Teamwork, forgetting “self”, etc. were emphasized as necessary in winning.  How does this apply to our life.....our church, our family, our job?  Is this a biblical concept?  Why or why not?

Leni Riefenstiahl is probably the most famous female director ever; what did you think of her?  Did this book make you think about how much we are influenced by the media?

Which part of history in the book was new to you?  Most shocking...most deplorable?

Were there memorable quotes you noted?  If so, what were they?

Were you excited/nervous at the end, even though you knew how the story would end?

In the prologue, Joe admonishes the author, Daniel James Brown, that the story should not be about him but about the boat.  After reading the story, does Brown accomplish that?

What else would you like to talk about with the group?

If you were to recommend this book to someone else, how would you describe it to them?  Did you find it difficult to read?  There is also a “Younger” version of the book.  Do you think maybe that would be helpful for some?  Why?

(Some Questions adapted from various websites)

JAIME

We picked up right where we left off!!  Friends like Jaime are so fun to be reunited with!  It’s like she never left!  Tonight was great!  Thanks for hosting, Amanda!  And thanks to all who came!  See you in about 4 weeks!  Keep reading!!

SUMMER READ

The End of Year 10!

We had a great turnout tonight!! The food was extra good and the discussion was so much fun!!  Thank you, Penny, for hosting!  Thank you everyone for another wonderful year!  I love you ALL!!
See you in August!  Enjoy your summer!

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR “GROUNDED”

How did you feel reading this book?  Were you amused, intrigued, confused, disappointed......?
How do you like/dislike the writer’s style?
Did any passages strike you as insightful?  If so, what are they?
Do you consider this a “Christian” book?  Why or why not?
Is there an underlying message in this book?
If you had to choose one lesson the author was trying to teach in this story, what would it be?
What was your favorite moment in the book?
Her father told her, “You know as well as I do that we don’t decide which hand we are dealt, only the way we play it.  Do you agree?  And.....Do you agree that when the other player is cheating, the rules of the game don’t apply anymore?
Talk about the contrast between the two lifestyles Lydia experienced.  Have you ever been in a situation where things were drastically different and you had to make decisions based on the current circumstances?  How did that make you feel?  Do you think she was faithful to her convictions, at least in the end?
Do you want to read the other books in the series?  Why or why not?

MAY BOOK SELECTION

Another Winner!

We all liked this month’s book!  Thanks to Amanda for the recommendation!  Thanks to Jenn for hosting, AGAIN!!!  Only one more to go until summer break!  See you at Penny’s!

April Book Selection

So fun!

Thank you, Mary Ann!  It was great being in your new home, great being back with my favorite group, great eating delicious food, and great discussing a book seemingly liked by all!  AND....I don’t think I thanked Katie publicly for leading for me last month, so.......thanks dear!!

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR “THE PATTERN ARTIST”

One review said this book is a “delightful story of people making their plans but ultimately God guiding their steps.....a story filled with dire circumstances and divine intervention.”   Would you agree?

Did the author write in a way that made you want to continue reading....intrigued and interested in what would happen next?  How?

What was your favorite “story line” in this book?  Why?

How was Annie ahead of her time?

In Chapter 19, Mrs. Sampson tells Annie “Just be who you are, Annie.  Who you are is enough.” Is that good advice, or bad?  Explain.

How do you think the author did in interjecting Biblical truth into this story?

What do you think was the best example of God’s providence?

Do you relate to any particular character?

What was the saddest part of the story to you?  The most shocking?

Are there questions from the back of the book you’d like to discuss?

MARCH BOOK SELECTION

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR “ANGEL IN AISLE 3”

What caused you to want to finish this book?

Did you see how different people dealt with difficult situations in different ways?  Give example.

Were you surprised by anything in this story?  If so, what surprised you?

How do you think this story would have gone if Kevin had ignored Don because of the way he looked/smelled?

Do you agree that we must allow Jesus to serve us before we can serve Him?  (Pg.227). Why or why not?

On page 81....”When you know God loves you and that He’s been good to you like He’s been to me, you just can’t help but to give it away.”  Agree?

What are some quotes that made an impression on you in this book?

I loved on page 142 where he said “I didn’t know how to live out each hour without constantly thinking about milestones ahead....from here on out I’m going to become a better sightseer.”  This was a good lesson...

What was the main “lesson” you took away from reading Angel in Aisle 3?

FEBRUARY BOOK SELECTION

ANGEL IN AISLE 3 by Kevin West.

Be Happy

So good to be back with the book club girls tonight!  Thanks for everything, Jenn!  One thing we know....being with people you love makes us happy!  💞

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR “HECTOR AND THE SEARCH FOR HAPPINESS “

Did you decide right away if you liked or disliked this book?  What drew you 

in or turned you off?

Would you use this book to help someone you know who is not happy?  How?

Did any part of the book elicit a strong emotional reaction?  If so, which part?

Which lesson/lessons did you think most described what it means to be happy or showed how to become happy?

Could you relate any of the “lessons” to biblical principles?

Someone made the suggestion that some people are just simply born to be happy while others are not.  Do you agree or disagree with that?  Why?

Does the way a person looks at things determine whether or not they are happy? (Perspective?). e.g. looking at the glass half full clearly makes one happier than then those whose glass is always half empty.

Do you think Hector found happiness?