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This novel emphasizes the importance of community, family, and legacy and maintaining our connections with each of them. How is this reflected in the story of the Lovejoy women? Is this applicable to your own life? How?
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5
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28
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June 3, 2026
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Luella thinks, “Papa had taught me that choosing a husband was as much about survival as it was love.” (p. 60) What did you think of this statement? Do you think it’s equally true today as it was in the 19th century?
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12
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65
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June 3, 2026
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When Mr. Weaver refuses to honor his promise to sell the land back to the Kingdom at the agreed-upon price, Luella decides to purchase only a portion of the land back. How do you feel about her decision? Do you agree with it?
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16
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68
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June 3, 2026
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Which character do you feel you’re most like, and why?
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18
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98
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June 3, 2026
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Overall, what did you think of The Seven O’Clock Club? (No spoilers in this thread, please!)
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35
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228
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June 3, 2026
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To what audience would you recommend Happy Land? Is there another book or author you feel has a similar theme or style?
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15
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101
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June 3, 2026
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Nikki uses a genealogical website to research her family and does, in fact, find information about her ancestors. Have you ever done something similar? If so, how did it feel when you uncovered information about your forebears?
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9
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38
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June 3, 2026
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Luella is shocked by the concept of not voting. What did you think of her reaction? Do you feel many people today share this sentiment about the practice? Why or why not?
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9
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44
|
June 3, 2026
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What is the significance of using terms such as kingdom and royalty to describe the land and its people?
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15
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114
|
June 3, 2026
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Have you read any of Dolen Perkins-Valdez’s other novels, and if so, how do they compare to Happy Land?
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18
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103
|
June 3, 2026
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The author based this novel on the real-life Kingdom of the Happy Land. Prior to reading this novel, what did you know about the Kingdom of the Happy Land? Were you aware that such a kingdom existed?
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27
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155
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June 3, 2026
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Do you think it would be more or less difficult to share these stories of loved ones lost with strangers? Is there a safety in relative anonymity?
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21
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179
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June 3, 2026
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We don’t find out until partway through the book why each character is grieving. What were your theories at first? Were you correct in your guesses as to what had happened to each of them?
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16
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82
|
June 3, 2026
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Should The Seven O’Clock Club be a movie? Who would you cast?
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6
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60
|
June 3, 2026
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What effect did having the violin narrate portions of the story have on your reading experience? How did it change your relationship to the instrument?
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20
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121
|
May 19, 2026
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To what audience would you recommend The Violin Maker’s Secret? Is there another book or author you feel has a similar theme or style?
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19
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159
|
May 19, 2026
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With the exception of Stella and Ruth, Baker disparages the girls in her care, thinking of them as “low-class degenerates” and “promiscuous, diseased, and immoral.” Why do you feel she is unable to find value in more of her charges?
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6
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33
|
June 3, 2026
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[Warning: Spoilers] What did you think of the author’s view of the afterlife? How does it match or differ from your own?
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17
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90
|
June 3, 2026
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What did you think of the author’s choice to make the lead investigator a mass murderer recently released from prison? Did you agree with Carol that she was uniquely qualified to investigate the murder?
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21
|
103
|
May 19, 2026
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Margaret felt that her life got much better once she left politics. What did you think of this transformation? Have you ever felt something similar in your own life?
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11
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77
|
May 19, 2026
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To what audience would you recommend I’m Not the Only Murderer in My Retirement Home? Is there another book or author you feel has a similar theme or style?
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19
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118
|
May 19, 2026
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Carol insists on having a dénouement, where she exposes the guilty party/parties. Why do you suppose this was so important to her?
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14
|
89
|
May 19, 2026
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Catherine finds Carol’s diary, which contains disturbing information about her past. Yet, she chooses to remain friends with her. Why do you suppose this is? Do you think you could have stayed friends with Carol after learning such details?
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19
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77
|
May 19, 2026
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Each chapter of the book starts with an excerpt from Inez’s final letter to Rita. What did you think of this technique? How do you feel it set the stage for the chapter each precedes, or for the book in general?
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23
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132
|
June 3, 2026
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Even as she began to fall in love with Giuseppe, Rita would tell herself, I want him, but I don’t want to need him. Considering her past divorce and her thriving career, was she wise to guard her heart against the count?
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11
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51
|
June 3, 2026
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Freya faces one of the hardest challenges in the book. Would you have made the same decision she did? If not, why?
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15
|
93
|
June 3, 2026
|
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Genevieve begins the book wanting to impress the organization she works for, and by the end, she's thrown protocol out the window. What did you think of her journey? Do you think there was another way of achieving her end goal?
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12
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61
|
June 3, 2026
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In the book, the only parent who attempts to visit the Colony is Ruth’s mother. Why do you suppose most parents accepted what was happening to their daughters?
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13
|
76
|
June 3, 2026
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Overall, what did you think of Harlem Rhapsody? (no spoilers, please!)
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|
32
|
225
|
April 21, 2026
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The five stages of grief — Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, Acceptance — have been increased to seven in recent years. Do you think the additions of Shock and Testing/Processing more accurately reflect how we deal with grief? Why or why not?
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14
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62
|
June 3, 2026
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