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Start Here! :wave:
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1
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1249
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April 17, 2025
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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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17
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69
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February 25, 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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12
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34
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February 23, 2026
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Do you feel Monife’s obsession with Golden Boy impacted how Ebun related to men as she got older, and if so, in what ways?
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14
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83
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February 25, 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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20
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44
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February 23, 2026
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What are you reading this week? And what did you think of last week’s books? (2/19/2026)
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27
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106
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February 24, 2026
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BookBrowsers ask Lily King, author of Heart the Lover
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19
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93
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February 25, 2026
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Were you disappointed that Carol returned to prison?
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7
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22
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February 24, 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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18
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29
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February 22, 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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35
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134
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February 22, 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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13
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27
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February 23, 2026
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International Booker Prize 2026 longlist
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3
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18
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February 25, 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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17
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31
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February 24, 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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17
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30
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February 26, 2026
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When Devlin and Gabrielle attend a concert, Devlin insists on picking up an outfit at a second-hand store, although Gabrielle resists. What did you think of this scene? Do you shop at thrift stores? Why or why not?
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12
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30
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February 25, 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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16
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29
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February 21, 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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13
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21
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February 22, 2026
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When Devlin learns that the violin he purchased may have been stolen, he turns to Walter for help. What would you have done in Devlin’s place?
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10
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30
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February 22, 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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11
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22
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February 22, 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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11
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30
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February 25, 2026
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Dublin Literary Awards 2026 longlist
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21
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103
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February 24, 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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9
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30
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February 21, 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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12
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30
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February 23, 2026
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Many characters get unexpected second chances. Which character's transformation moved you most? Do you believe we all deserve second chances?
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11
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25
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February 25, 2026
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Max took advantage of the teenage Gabrielle. When she told others in her life about this, she was ignored and the abuse continued. Why do you suppose that was? What, if anything, would have been different had that part of the plot happened today?
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7
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24
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February 24, 2026
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Geoffrey learns about manscaping and attempts the grooming technique (injuring himself in the process). Is there a modern trend that you find surprising?
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15
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47
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February 22, 2026
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Which timeline—past or present—did you find most compelling? How did Clara and William's story enhance the modern narrative?
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7
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18
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February 22, 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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10
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20
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February 22, 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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10
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22
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February 22, 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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5
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13
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February 23, 2026
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