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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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8
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28
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March 17, 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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95
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March 17, 2026
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Dorothy Baker is passionate about what she sees as her mission. Her beliefs are typical of the day. Considering the time period, do you believe Baker was cruel? What similarities do you recognize within these institutions as compared to an actual prison?
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2
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9
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March 17, 2026
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Stella Temple lives in a highly dysfunctional home with a mother suffering from mental illness and an abusive father. In her case, do you think placement at the Colony was beneficial?
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6
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15
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March 17, 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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9
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17
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March 17, 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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14
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38
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March 17, 2026
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Overall, what did you think of Happy Land? (No spoilers in this thread, please!)
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33
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101
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March 17, 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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8
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17
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March 17, 2026
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Many women were scared or intimidated into submitting themselves to these facilities. Women didn't receive due process through a court system. Why do you think women were the primary focus of immoral behaviors and not men?
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9
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28
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March 16, 2026
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Men, whether in the service or not, if found carrying an infection, underwent treatments while going on with their lives. Considering the era, do you find this disparity "normal"? Why?
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7
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19
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March 16, 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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3
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9
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March 16, 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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14
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35
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March 16, 2026
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Some of the same laws are still in effect today. Can you think of a recent time period when the law/s allowed the government control over individuals?
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1
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7
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March 16, 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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7
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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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31
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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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39
|
March 15, 2026
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When William returns to Luella and moves into the palace, Luella juggles two husbands and feels powerless. Do you agree with her decision to let William stay? Was there something else she could have done instead?
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11
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30
|
March 15, 2026
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Margaret was a politician who became Home Secretary, but her career ended because of a hot-mic moment on a morning show. What’s your opinion about programs like This Morning? Do you watch any of them? What role do they fill?
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8
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33
|
March 15, 2026
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Who was your favorite character, and why?
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22
|
83
|
March 14, 2026
|
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Overall, what did you think of I’m Not the Only Murderer in My Retirement Home? (No spoilers, please!)
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37
|
192
|
March 14, 2026
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Carol sometimes thinks that “all she’d really done was swap one institution for another.” Do you agree with her? What’s your experience been like with senior living facilities?
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10
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48
|
March 14, 2026
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Do you think Carol was naïve to believe she could keep her identity secret?
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20
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74
|
March 14, 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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12
|
59
|
March 14, 2026
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Geoffrey mourns the loss of his identity, feeling “irrelevant.” “Old ladies, at least they were still in charge of the grandchildren’s birthday cards,” he thinks. Is it true that women have more of a place in society as they age than men do?
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17
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50
|
March 14, 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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53
|
March 14, 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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6
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13
|
March 14, 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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2
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11
|
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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18
|
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
|
March 14, 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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4
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14
|
March 14, 2026
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