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Start Here! :wave:
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1
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1437
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April 17, 2025
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War and Peace Side Read: Week 1, June 1-June 7, to the end of Book 1/Part 1
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11
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58
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June 7, 2026
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What are you reading this week? And what did you think of last week’s books? (6/4/2026)
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44
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121
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June 8, 2026
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It’s June, and it’s therefore Pride month. Name a book you’ve enjoyed that features an LGBTQ+ main character
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12
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61
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June 7, 2026
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W&P: Who's in?
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59
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203
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June 3, 2026
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Eunice Hunton Carter and Polly Adler were well-known figures in 1930s New York. Were you familiar with either of them before reading A Pair of Aces?
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14
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42
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June 8, 2026
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Mark Twain American Voice in Literature Award 2026
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15
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57
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June 2, 2026
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Overall, what did you think of A Pair of Aces? (No spoilers in this topic, please!)
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11
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42
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June 8, 2026
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What book have you read that’s set in or near your hometown?
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25
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144
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June 4, 2026
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Did anything surprise you about the trial of Lucky Luciano? Why do you think Dewey didn’t want to prosecute Luciano for running a prostitution ring? Do you think this perspective would still be in evidence today?
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7
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24
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June 6, 2026
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The book’s Epilogue speaks about Mimi, Ada, and Jo being incarcerated, while in real life, Ada and Jo escaped serious prison time. Why do you suppose the author chose to depart from history? What did you think of her decision?
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14
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50
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June 7, 2026
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This is the third historical fiction novel Benedict and Murray have written together. Each has also written several novels on her own. Have you read any of their other works, and if so, how do they compare?
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9
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31
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June 8, 2026
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What did you think of Polly’s relationship with the Lion? Why do you think the two women were so close?
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6
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28
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June 7, 2026
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How did you feel about Eunice’s working relationship with Thomas Dewey? What did you think of his decisions throughout the book? Do you think his view of Eunice changed by the end? Do you think Eunice would face the same sorts of issues today?
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7
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22
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June 7, 2026
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Lucky Luciano was the most notorious mobster of his time. Had you heard of him before reading the book? Lucky, Eunice, & Polly were all prominent figures in the 1930s. Who do you think is the best known of the three today? Why do you think that is?
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7
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23
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June 8, 2026
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How did you view Eunice’s relationship with her husband? Why do you think there was so much tension in their marriage?
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7
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20
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June 6, 2026
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How did you feel about Eunice’s relationship with her mother? In what way did her mother’s accomplishments influence Eunice’s life choices? Did she inspire her? Or did Eunice feel more pressure to succeed because of her mother’s achievements?
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5
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16
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June 8, 2026
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Let’s talk about quirks
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26
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138
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May 22, 2026
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What place do you think controversial topics like abortion have in literature?
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23
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121
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June 6, 2026
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Eunice and Polly formed an alliance to achieve a common goal even though they were on opposite sides of the law. What characteristics helped them to set aside their differences and work together?
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3
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12
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June 7, 2026
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W&P Character List
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5
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42
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June 4, 2026
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What are you reading this week? And what did you think of last week’s books? (5/14/2026)
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70
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405
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May 21, 2026
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Eunice and Polly both faced a lot of challenges in their lives. How were their struggles similar, and how were they different?
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4
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14
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June 8, 2026
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About the War And Peace Side Read category
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24
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89
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June 7, 2026
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What are you reading this week? And what did you think of last week’s books? (5/28/2026)
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20
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158
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June 4, 2026
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Regret is a recurring theme in the novel. Do you think it's possible to live a life without regret? How does regret or fear of regret drive people's choices?
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17
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73
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June 4, 2026
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How would you describe Polly’s relationship with her parents? Was her relationship different with her mother than with her father, and if so, how? Why did she feel more animosity toward her father, and do you feel that was justified?
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3
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11
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June 8, 2026
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What are you reading this week? And what did you think of last week’s books? (5/21/2026)
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53
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292
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May 28, 2026
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1000 Books May 2026 Read: A Lesson Before Dying by Louis J. Gaines
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16
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100
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June 2, 2026
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Mimi lies to her husband about her job until she’s in serious trouble. What did you think of her decision here? Do you believe she made the right decision under the circumstances? When would you have told Stan, if you’d been in Mimi’s shoes?
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19
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74
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June 6, 2026
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