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What do you think the novel suggests about the themes of family, loyalty, and forgiveness?
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0
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1
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April 1, 2026
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As the story unfolds, Thirza uncovers more about her family's past. How do the revelations about her family's history impact her relationships with other characters in the novel?
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0
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2
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April 1, 2026
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Which character do you think is most affected by the themes of envy, love and betrayal in the novel? Why?
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0
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1
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April 1, 2026
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How did the setting of The Greek House influence your experience of reading the novel?
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0
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1
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April 1, 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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20
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84
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April 1, 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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15
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44
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April 1, 2026
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Should The Seven O’Clock Club be a movie? Who would you cast?
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5
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27
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April 1, 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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19
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77
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April 1, 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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18
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78
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April 1, 2026
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Have you read any of Evie Woods’ previous novels, and if so, how do they compare to The Violin Maker’s Secret?
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17
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69
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April 1, 2026
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Stella is ostracized even before she becomes a snitch. Why do you believe the others don’t like her?
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5
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22
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April 1, 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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5
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21
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April 1, 2026
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Shine is bent on revenge but is continually thwarted. But when she finally has a chance to exact some justice she balks. Later, she muses that mercy & forgiveness are more complicated. How does this shift allow her to move forward?
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3
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7
|
April 1, 2026
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Lidy Strong knows what people in the Ozark hills call "granny cures." Which one did you find the most interesting or surprising? Can you share one from your own culture or upbringing?
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2
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11
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April 1, 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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16
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52
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April 1, 2026
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Hiram calls Shine his "daughter of the spirit." What does he mean? How does Hiram's love and acceptance play a part in Shine's later decision to form and embrace her own unconventional family bonds? In the end, who do you think is the "strongest Strong?"?
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1
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6
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April 1, 2026
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Hiram worships the memory of his dead wife Alta and grieves her; a put-upon Lidy resents her. Rebecca and Elsie crave her softness and stories, while Shine has no memories of her at all. How do you feel about this complicated voiceless character?
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3
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8
|
April 1, 2026
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John Flanagan is an idealist whose experiences reflect the arc of Prohibition. How does this "rule follower" fare with a rogue partner, mountain moonshiners and criminals? What finally jolts him out of his passivity to pursue what he really wants?
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2
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6
|
April 1, 2026
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How does Rebecca's reluctance to speak up about Jed cause trouble? And later, with Eulalie? Discuss some of the complicating factors in her romantic relationship. What finally pushes her to risk giving voice to her own wants and desires?
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4
|
11
|
April 1, 2026
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Overall, what did you think of The Moonshine Women? For what audience would you recommend the book? (no spoilers in this topic, please!)
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13
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31
|
April 1, 2026
|
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1000 Books March 2026 Read: Liar's Poker by Michael Lewis
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5
|
27
|
April 1, 2026
|
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Baker tells others that she feels the Colony is better for the women than sending them to prison. Do you think this is true?
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10
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31
|
March 31, 2026
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Jed longs to be a part of the Strong family and the moonshine business. When he finally gets the chance, how does he handle it? Do you feel sorry for him? Are his feelings of being used and discarded valid? Are the women better off without him?
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8
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22
|
March 31, 2026
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There are many motherless daughters in The Moonshine Women. How do the women mother each other? How do sisterhood and female friendship become even more important when our mother figures are unavailable or gone?
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4
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13
|
March 31, 2026
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Both Hiram and his abusive father were alcoholics; Jed's drinking dramatically changes his personality for the worse. Yet it becomes their livelihood. How do they deal with this contradiction? What do you suppose none of the Strong daughters drink?
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3
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7
|
March 31, 2026
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Shine is both starry-eyed and fearful of her first famous customer at the bar, Al Capone. She believes they are both "willing to do whatever it took to survive and keep their families safe." Do you agree? Does Shine discover a line she won't cross?
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4
|
13
|
March 31, 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?
|
|
20
|
59
|
March 31, 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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10
|
49
|
March 31, 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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|
38
|
217
|
March 31, 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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18
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71
|
March 31, 2026
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