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William convinces the Black residents of Cross Anchor to follow him into the mountains to set up a new community. Why do you think they trusted him? Did they have any choice but to leave, in your opinion? What would you have done in their place?
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6
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23
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March 22, 2026
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Land ownership and land loss are central to this story. What did you know about heirs property before reading the novel? How do you think the impact of land loss still reverberates through today's society? What might be done to address it?
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12
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33
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March 22, 2026
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The author sometimes has a character tell their own story, and sometimes that person relays something they’re observing about others in the group. How did you feel about this narrative technique? Did you find it effective?
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8
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22
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March 21, 2026
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Other than the main trio (Baker, Ruth, and Stella) which character struck a chord with you and why?
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11
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50
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March 20, 2026
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1000 Books February 2026 Read: The Man in the High Castle by Philip K. Dick
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23
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136
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March 17, 2026
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Have you read any of the author’s other novels? If so, how does Women of a Promiscuous Nature compare?
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2
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16
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March 16, 2026
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Devlin insists on simply finding a hotel, while Gabrielle prefers to check out the reviews for a place first. What does this say about their respective personalities, in your opinion? Which of the two are you more like?
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10
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32
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March 15, 2026
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Gabrielle loves going to the library’s reading room because “the air had a stillness” and it “calmed her nerves.” Do you think libraries foster this sense of peace in general? Is there someplace you frequent where you experience a similar stillness?
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15
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40
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March 15, 2026
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If you lived at Sheldon Oaks how do you think you would have reacted, learning a serial killer was also a resident, particularly after a suspicious death occurred?
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15
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57
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March 14, 2026
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How would you describe the connection between the kingdomfolk and their land?
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4
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25
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March 14, 2026
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Do you notice any similarities in the personalities of the Lovejoy and Montgomery women? In particular, what are the similarities and parallels between Nikki and Luella?
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2
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8
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March 14, 2026
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Overall, what did you think of A Crown of Stars? (No spoilers in this thread, please!)
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36
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151
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March 13, 2026
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Why do you think Baker refuses to believe Stella has made progress with Frances? Does Baker deliberately uses the girl in her attempt to oust Mrs. Maynard? Why do you suppose Stella is willing to align herself with Baker again after such treatment?
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0
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11
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March 12, 2026
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What did you know about the sinking of the Lusitania before reading A Crown of Stars? What did you think of Shana Abé’s depiction of the event?
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29
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112
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March 11, 2026
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Overall, what did you think of The Violin Maker’s Secret? (No spoilers in this thread, please!)
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25
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266
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March 11, 2026
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Multiple characters find healing through music after trauma. Do you agree that creative pursuits can help process difficult experiences?
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12
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74
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March 10, 2026
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Rita’s first experience acting in live theatre was a disappointment. Even so, she didn’t give up her dream. What kept her going? Would you have given up had you been in a similar situation?
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12
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44
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March 10, 2026
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How do you think you would have fared in Rita's place during the tragedy? In those frantic minutes after the liner went under, would you have let the panicked people still in the water climb up the lifeboat, even at the risk of capsizing it?
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10
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21
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March 10, 2026
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Rita’s childhood could be considered sheltered, even enchanted. How did it prepare her for the real world? Or did it? Do you think Rita would have been a successful actress if not for the initial support of Pauline?
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5
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16
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March 10, 2026
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The Jolivet sisters shared a deep and abiding bond, but Rita was always the leader. Was it fair of her to drag her little sister along with her to London, just to get her own way?
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13
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53
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March 10, 2026
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Inez was clearly devastated to lose George. Did Rita and her family do enough help her in those weeks after the sinking? Or do you think Inez was deliberately as emotionally hidden as she needed to be to conceal her true intentions?
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20
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45
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March 10, 2026
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Do you agree with Rita’s decision to make Lest We Forget? Why do you think Rita agreed to travel around the country to speak about the sinking while selling Liberty Bonds, even though it caused her anguish?
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11
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34
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March 10, 2026
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What did you learn about the era from the novel? Did anything surprise you?
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8
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36
|
March 10, 2026
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At what point did you read the Author’s Note – before, after, or while you read the novel? Did you do much research/internet searching about people and events as you read?
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18
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64
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March 10, 2026
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Rita enjoyed a bohemian lifestyle for her time, flouting convention if it didn’t suit her. She had a strong publicity machine at her back to smooth over any transgressions, but should she have been more circumspect regarding her private life?
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4
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19
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March 10, 2026
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To what audience would you recommend A Crown of Stars? Is there another book or author you feel has a similar theme or style?
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15
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56
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March 10, 2026
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Inez defends her decision to marry George (“I am at home in his heart"). Do you believe she actually fell in love with him that quickly, or was becoming Mrs. Vernon more of a new version of herself that she couldn’t wait to experience?
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17
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41
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March 10, 2026
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Have you read any of Shana Abé’s previous novels, and if so, how do they compare to A Crown of Stars?
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19
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65
|
March 10, 2026
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Rita decided to take the Lusitania despite the warnings. Was she too trusting that the ship was too fast to be torpedoed? Or was she justified in feeling that her need to reach her brother outweighed the risk? Would you have boarded the ship?
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23
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49
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March 10, 2026
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How does the novel explore the value of lost or forgotten art? Should all art be preserved and shared?
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9
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43
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March 6, 2026
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