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1000 Books: May 2026: What should we read?
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3
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35
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March 24, 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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6
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21
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March 23, 2026
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The attorney informs Nikki that the law is not on their side and it is unlikely that Mother Rita will get the land back. However, Mother Rita doesn't believe that. Why do you think she is so certain?
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11
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29
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March 23, 2026
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Genevieve takes a new approach to grief therapy, where they don't share their bereavement story right away. How do you think your reaction to each character would have been different if you had known the specifics of their loss first?
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8
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18
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March 23, 2026
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[Warning: Spoilers] There’s a surprise that comes midway through the book. How did you react to it?
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19
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62
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March 23, 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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15
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64
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March 23, 2026
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Genevieve asks Victoria to trust her, and Victoria responds with hostility (“No, Genevieve, that’s not possible.” p. 28). Why do you believe she replied the way she did? Did it surprise you?
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10
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25
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March 23, 2026
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Callum portrays himself as not needing these meetings, and yet he's the first one of the group to suggest spending time together outside of therapy. Did you see this as Callum looking for connection, or a way for him to hide behind his party persona?
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8
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21
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March 23, 2026
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To what audience would you recommend The Seven O’Clock Club? Is there another book or author you feel has a similar theme or style?
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11
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40
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March 23, 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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13
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44
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March 23, 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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10
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27
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March 23, 2026
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Mischa took on enormous responsibility at a very young age. Did learning this change your perception of her at all? In what ways does society support caretakers, and what more can be done to share some of that load?
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12
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27
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March 22, 2026
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Most of the characters depicted in A Crown of Stars were based on real people. Had you heard of any of them previously?
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22
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81
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March 22, 2026
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What do you think of Rita’s deliberate, unspoken message to her enemies: I’m still here?
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8
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34
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March 22, 2026
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Geneveive starts the group’s first session by asking each to recall a happy childhood memory. What did you think of this technique, and what did you think about their responses? Did the question prompt you to recall your own childhood memory?
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9
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40
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March 22, 2026
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Charles tells Rita, “[T]he key to lasting success…isn’t luck or even necessarily talent. It’s having the public recognize you right away...” What did you think of this statement? Do you think it was true at the time? Is it true today?
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9
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40
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March 22, 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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8
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31
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March 22, 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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21
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54
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March 22, 2026
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Now that you've finished the book, what are your reflections on the grieving process each character goes through?
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12
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50
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March 22, 2026
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Which character do you feel you’re most like, and why?
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14
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43
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March 22, 2026
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Freya faints at the first meeting, forcing Mischa and Victoria to interact. Were you surprised that it was the youngest of the group who seemed best equipped to deal with the situation? How did you interpret Victoria's reaction?
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5
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14
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March 22, 2026
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Nikki wonders about the source of the deep rift between her mother and Mother Rita. Why do you suppose they didn’t tell Nikki about the reason for their feud? Do you think they are able to completely heal their relationship by the end of the book?
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8
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18
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March 22, 2026
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Nikki wonders if her mother abandoned Mother Rita. She also asks herself if “Southern mothers feel a particular betrayal when their children go north.” What’s your take on children leaving home, particularly those that move far away from their parents?
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12
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44
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March 22, 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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5
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16
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March 22, 2026
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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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3
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13
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March 22, 2026
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Why do you suppose Mother Rita’s visits to the public library were so meaningful her? Did the library play in your childhood? Do you still visit your local library as an adult? How have public libraries changed and adapted over time?
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15
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39
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March 22, 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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13
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57
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March 22, 2026
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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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21
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March 22, 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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13
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34
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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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30
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March 22, 2026
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