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About the Book Clubs category
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0
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32
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October 14, 2024
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When Amos leaves their apartment, Lauren enjoys having the freedom to do whatever she wants without having to consider anyone else's schedule or feelings. Is this sense of freedom ever possible within a couple or can it be found only when one is single?
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5
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17
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March 26, 2025
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Do you ever contemplate how your life would have turned out differently had you married a different person, taken a different job, or moved to the city you were thinking about?
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12
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29
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March 26, 2025
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How did you feel about the book's ending—both the fiery end to the apartment and its attic, as well as the man, Sam, Lauren ends up with?
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10
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21
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March 26, 2025
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How did you feel when Lauren met Bohai? Was there a sense of relief that she had someone who understood her predicament?
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16
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28
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March 26, 2025
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Lauren finds that she's quite a different person in some of the versions of her life. What changes surprised you the most? Do you think Lauren more easily changed by her situation than you would be?
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3
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11
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March 26, 2025
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Lauren's husbands change but her friend Elena, neighbors Maryam and Toby, and sister Nat remain relatively stable from relationship to relationship, with a few exceptions. What do you think that says about the nature of Lauren's nonromantic friendships?
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9
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19
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March 26, 2025
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With each new husband, Lauren discovers that the weddings she had with these men vary wildly from man to man. Did that surprise you? Does it ring true for you that the celebrations would change so drastically with each partner?
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9
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18
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March 26, 2025
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Overall, what did you think of The Husbands? (no spoilers, please!)
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18
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33
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March 26, 2025
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What did you see as some of the advantages of Lauren’s situation? What about drawbacks?
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10
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28
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March 26, 2025
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In your opinion, was Lauren’s or Bohai’s predicament easier to tolerate? Would you rather be the person who keeps the house, or the person who travels to different locations?
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17
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31
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March 26, 2025
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The Triangle shirtwaist factory fire profoundly impacted Perkins. Can you think of other examples from the novel where a single event changed the direction of a character's life?
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4
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22
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March 26, 2025
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Frances Perkins struggled with the accusation that she may have been a better American patriot than she was a mother. What are your thoughts on that?
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14
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47
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March 26, 2025
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Perkins was the driving force behind the Social Security Act. How does the novel's portrayal of this landmark achievement heighten your understanding and appreciation of it?
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9
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25
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March 26, 2025
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Overall, what did you think of A Map to Paradise? (no spoilers, please!)
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46
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73
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March 26, 2025
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Have you read other books by this author, and if so, how do they compare to this one? Is there another book or author you feel has a similar theme or style? What audience would you recommend A Map to Paradise to?
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12
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28
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March 26, 2025
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Overall, what did you think of the men in this book? Did you find any "good ones" -- ones who might be considered a good life partner?
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0
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5
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March 26, 2025
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What did you think of Omelogor's experience of American graduate school students?
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3
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11
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March 26, 2025
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How did the portrayal of Frances Perkins's difficulty in balancing her personal and professional life make her more relatable as a character and human being?
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11
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35
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March 26, 2025
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The plot is set during the recent COVID-19 pandemic. What do you think of the way the main characters reacted to the lockdown? How were their experiences similar to or different from your own?
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9
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32
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March 26, 2025
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Overall, what did you think of The Frozen River? (no spoilers, please!)
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55
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303
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March 26, 2025
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Chia also thinks, “Where have all the years gone, and have I made the most of life? But what is the final measure for making the most of life, and how would I know if I have?” How would you answer her?
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8
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18
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March 25, 2025
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Do you think the women end up becoming friends because of their similarities or despite them? Do you think their friendship helps them ultimately find happiness? What would have happened to each, do you think, if they hadn’t met?
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8
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19
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March 25, 2025
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Why do you think Eva kept her secret about Ernst even when June told her about what happened with Elwood? How do their experiences differ?
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10
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22
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March 25, 2025
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What audience would you recommend Dream Count to? Is there another book or author you feel has a similar theme or style? If you’ve read the author’s other works, how does this one compare?
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10
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35
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March 25, 2025
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Aside from Kadi, a character written to tug at our heartstrings, which woman held the most appeal for you?
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11
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35
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March 25, 2025
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How did Nicky’s arrival change Melanie? Do you think things would have been different had Alex not left him with her?
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14
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23
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March 25, 2025
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What do you think of Carson? Do you think he did enough to make up for being the reason Melanie was blacklisted?
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12
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23
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March 25, 2025
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What did you learn about the Hollywood blacklist from Melanie’s experience? How do you think the 1950s compares to today, with social media and cancel culture?
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7
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18
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March 25, 2025
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If you had access to a time machine like the one June imagined for herself, would you use it? If so, where in time would you want to go and why?
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7
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26
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March 25, 2025
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