Book Clubs

The Berry Pickers by Amanda Peters Discussion Join us in our book club discussion of The Berry Pickers by Amanda Peters Girls of Good Fortune by Kristina McMorris Please join BookBrowse in our book club discussion of The Girls of Good Fortune by Kristina McMorris Lies and Weddings by Kevin Kwan Discussion Join BookBrowse for a book club discussion of Lies and Weddings by Kevin Kwan A Map to Paradise by Susan Meissner Discussion Please join BookBrowse in our book club discussion of A Map to Paradise by Susan Meissner. Wandering Stars by Tommy Orange Discussion Please join us in our book club discussion of Wandering Stars by Tommy Orange. Babylonia by Costanza Casati Discussion Please join us in our book club discussion of Babylonia by Costanza Casati. The Devil Finds Work by James Baldwin Discussion Please join BookBrowse in our book club discussion of The Devil Finds Work by James Baldwin The Jackal's Mistress by Chris Bohjalian Book Club Please join BookBrowse in our book club discussion of The Jackal’s Mistress by Chris Bohjalian. Before Dorothy by Hazel Gaynor Discussion Please join BookBrowse in our book club discussion of Before Dorothy by Hazel Gaynor Dream Count by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie Discussion Please join BookBrowse in our book club discussion of Dream Count by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. The Memory Library by Kate Storey Discussion Please join BookBrowse in our book club discussion of The Memory Library by Kate Storey. The Busybody Book Club by Freya Sampson Discussion Please join BookBrowse in our book club discussion of The Busybody Book Club by Freya Sampson. In Our Midst by Nancy Jensen Discussion Join us in our book club discussion of In Our Midst by Nancy Jensen. Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall Discussion Please join BookBrowse in our book club discussion of Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus Discussion Please join BookBrowse in our book club discussion of Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus Becoming Madam Secretary by Stephanie Dray Please join BookBrowse in our book club discussion of Becoming Madam Secretary by Stephanie Dray. Let's Call Her Barbie by Renée Rosen Discussion Please join us in our book club discussion of Let’s Call Her Barbie by Renée Rosen. The Lilac People by Milo Todd Discussion Please join BookBrowse in our book club discussion of The Lilac People by Milo Todd. The Ghostwriter by Julie Clark Discussion Please join BookBrowse in our book club discussion of The Ghostwriter by Julie Clark The Mysterious Bakery on Rue de Paris Discussion Please join BookBrowse in our book club discussion of The Mysterious Bakery on Rue de Paris by Evie Woods. The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon Discussion Please join BookBrowse in our book club discussion of The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon. The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison Discussion Please join us in our book club discussion of The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison. The Lamplighter's Bookshop by Sophie Austin Please join BookBrowse in our discussion of The Lamplighter’s Bookshop by Sophie Austin The Wager by David Grann Discussion Please join us in our book club discussion of The Wager by David Grann. The Tapestry of Time by Kate Heartfield Discussion Please join BookBrowse in our book club discussion of The Tapestry of Time by Kate Heartfield The River Knows Your Name by Kelly Mustian Please join BookBrowse in our book club discussion of The River Knows Your Name by Kelly Mustian Real Americans by Rachel Khong Discussion Please join BookBrowse in our book club discussion of Real Americans by Rachel Khong Daughters of Shandong by Eve J. Chung Discussion Please join BookBrowse in our book club discussion of Daughters of Shandong by Eve J. Chung. The Husbands by Holly Gramazio Discussion Please join BookBrowse in our book club discussion of The Husbands by Holly Gramazio

Topic	Replies	Views	Activity
About the Book Clubs category Book Clubs	0	35	October 14, 2024
During a run-in with Celia, Abigail claims she can relate to Celia’s romantic plight but she fails to expound. What do you imagine her experience might have been, and how does her sense of commonality with Celia ultimately affect their relationship? Girls of Good Fortune by Kristina McMorris	3	6	May 17, 2025
Celia has the opportunity to torpedo the mayor’s career but she chooses not to. Why do you suppose she refrained? What do you think the consequences might have been if she’d proceeded? What do you think you might have done in her place? Girls of Good Fortune by Kristina McMorris	3	3	May 17, 2025
Overall, what did you think of Lies and Weddings? (no spoilers, please!) Lies and Weddings by Kevin Kwan Discussion	14	19	May 17, 2025
As a child Celia begged her father to teach her Chinese, but he refused. Why do you suppose this was? If your ancestors hale from a country where English isn't spoken, how did they feel about retaining their language and culture after immigrating? Girls of Good Fortune by Kristina McMorris	5	7	May 17, 2025
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? Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus Discussion	3	12	May 17, 2025
Had you ever heard of either massacre featured in the story? What was your impression of the outcomes? Do you believe the results would differ if the incidents occurred today? Girls of Good Fortune by Kristina McMorris	5	6	May 17, 2025
Could Elizabeth’s story happen today? How have things changed in the work place then? Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus Discussion	4	30	May 17, 2025
When Karl shares his story in Chapter 9, no white space is used. Contrarily, when Hitler becomes chancellor, plenty of white space is used (pp 164-179). What do you think these narrative approaches are meant to express? The Lilac People by Milo Todd Discussion	5	16	May 17, 2025
Rosina tells Rufus she thought he’d have realized that he has “never been in a position to marry for love.” (p. 211). How much do you think being wealthy, famous or royal dictates who you can have a relationship with or who you can wed? Lies and Weddings by Kevin Kwan Discussion	6	9	May 17, 2025
Do you think Luis Felipe could have been saved? Was there anything that could have been done after the time we meet him in the book that might have improved his chances or was he a lost cause by that point? Lies and Weddings by Kevin Kwan Discussion	7	13	May 17, 2025
Throughout the novel the characters enjoy their wealth by going to exclusive restaurants, jetting around the world, and dressing in designer clothes, among other things. What was the one thing that you envied about the lifestyle? And why? Lies and Weddings by Kevin Kwan Discussion	6	9	May 17, 2025
If you were Eden, would you have accepted Luis Felipe's invitation if it meant a mega payoff for you, your loved ones, or a charity? Lies and Weddings by Kevin Kwan Discussion	7	9	May 17, 2025
Despite the appearance of wealth, Lord Greshamsbury (Francis) and Prince Julius zu Liechtenburg are both facing financial ruin. What protections do their respective nobility and royalty bestow? Are their titles more of a burden than a benefit? Lies and Weddings by Kevin Kwan Discussion	4	7	May 17, 2025
The book's 1995 sections are set before the return of Chinese authority. What do you predict for the future of British prestige? Is Martha Dung the new face of status and power in our real world? How will the next generation of global wealth evolve? Lies and Weddings by Kevin Kwan Discussion	4	7	May 17, 2025
Kevin Kwan uses footnotes to provide us with insider details. What were the most fascinating tidbits you discovered? How would you answer the question he asks at the bottom of page 70: "Where do you rank and what sort of feelings does this bring up?" Lies and Weddings by Kevin Kwan Discussion	12	23	May 17, 2025
How does Eden navigate the world of prejudice and elitism? In what circumstances do Augie, Bea, and Rufus suffer less because they are biracial? Lies and Weddings by Kevin Kwan Discussion	6	13	May 17, 2025
The destruction at Bellaloha shows natural forces overruling carefully laid human plans. Similarly, Rene receives excellent medical treatment but is at the mercy of his illness. What other examples did you see of problems that money can't solve? Lies and Weddings by Kevin Kwan Discussion	6	11	May 17, 2025
How are Eden and Rufus transformed by their southwestern road trip? Does it measure up to the glamorous jet-setting they did previously? Lies and Weddings by Kevin Kwan Discussion	5	11	May 17, 2025
Despite the great expense and opulence of their wedding, Maxxie and Augie could not prevent the volcanic eruption. But could they have prevented the circumstances that immediately put their marriage on the rocks? Lies and Weddings by Kevin Kwan Discussion	3	5	May 17, 2025
Everything Lady Arabella does is a calculated move. What motivates her? Why is she unable to have a loving parent-child relationship? What causes Luis Felipe's destructive bent? What does the novel say about creating loving bonds within a family? Lies and Weddings by Kevin Kwan Discussion	6	9	May 17, 2025
Does this book reflect today's current political climate? Why or why not? The Lilac People by Milo Todd Discussion	21	68	May 17, 2025
Several Chinese proverbs are woven through the novel, including “Fortune rests in misfortune” and “Knowledge changes destiny.” How do these apply to the story? Do you believe they also apply in real life? If so, how? Girls of Good Fortune by Kristina McMorris	5	13	May 17, 2025
Bertie is often preoccupied with Gert's whereabouts, especially after WWII. In what ways is his preoccupation reasonable? In what ways is it detrimental? Where is the line, if any, between healthy and unhealthy concern about a loved one? The Lilac People by Milo Todd Discussion	6	20	May 17, 2025
Celia wonders if she could withhold the truth of Pearl’s heritage if the girl’s features never betray her Chinese background. What do you think of this question? Should information like this ever be withheld, in your opinion? Why or why not? Girls of Good Fortune by Kristina McMorris	3	4	May 17, 2025
In what ways, if any, does this book alter your perceptions of WWII, the Holocaust, and/or America's role in the liberation of Germany? Did anything surprise you? The Lilac People by Milo Todd Discussion	15	44	May 17, 2025
Why do you think Karl was so resistant to masculinity lessons despite identifying as a man? The Lilac People by Milo Todd Discussion	9	26	May 17, 2025
Do you interpret the ending as happy, sad, bittersweet, foreboding, hopeful, or something else? Why? The Lilac People by Milo Todd Discussion	14	37	May 17, 2025
In what ways do you feel community is expressed in this book? Which expressions are positive and which are negative? The Lilac People by Milo Todd Discussion	4	18	May 17, 2025
Is there a quote or scene in The Lilac People that stood out for you? Why do you suppose it resonated? The Lilac People by Milo Todd Discussion	9	29	May 17, 2025