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Mimi refuses Papanek's deal (Chapter 48). Do you think she made the right choice? What choice would you have made?
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13
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86
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June 8, 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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56
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June 7, 2026
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Emily, Dr. Millstone, and Ada's daughter Jennie all died on account of the trial. Do you view their deaths as unnecessary tragedies of an unjust system or the unfortunate consequences of criminal activity?
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16
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87
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June 6, 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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90
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June 6, 2026
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Polly Adler became the most infamous madam of her time. What circumstances led her to that position? What qualities led her to thrive in that role? How does her profession reflect the limits imposed on immigrant women in the early twentieth century?
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1
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8
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June 6, 2026
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W&P Character List
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5
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49
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June 4, 2026
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Eunice & Polly formed an unlikely alliance to take down Lucky. What qualities are required to make these kinds of alliances successful? Can you think of other situations where women from different backgrounds came together to achieve a common goal?
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1
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11
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June 4, 2026
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Groups urge expanded funding for IMLS
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1
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21
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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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112
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June 4, 2026
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BookBrowsers Ask Zayd Ayers Dohrn, author of Dangerous, Dirty, Violent, and Young
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73
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292
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June 4, 2026
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What lessons can we derive from Eunice and Polly’s relationship, and how can we apply them today? Have you ever formed this type of strategic partnership in your life? Can you envision a reason or issue that might inspire you to do so?
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0
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6
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June 3, 2026
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W&P: Who's in?
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59
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312
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June 3, 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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224
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June 4, 2026
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Random book thoughts
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7
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143
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June 2, 2026
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Merritt and Olivia have a disagreement about sexism in the workplace. (pp 162-163). Merritt feels the problem with Olivia’s generation is that they “expect things to be easy.” Olivia replies, “No, not easy. Fair.” What did you think of this debate?
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11
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57
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June 2, 2026
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What did you think of the research Olivia did on Merritt before interviewing for the position of assistant?
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14
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83
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June 2, 2026
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What did you think of Olivia’s relationship with Trevor? Why do you feel she forgot about his opening, and kept putting off calling his mother?
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18
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84
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June 2, 2026
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One of the “Purple Hat Ladies” believes that Vicki would hide the fact that she was depressed because she’d be ashamed.(p. 141) Do you feel that she’s correct, that there’s a stigma associated with depression? Do you think this has changed over time?
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17
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94
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June 2, 2026
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Olivia enjoys the resort but thinks that if she had the money, she likely wouldn’t spend it at a place like that. (pp 139-140). What about you? Would you spend time at the resort? What would be your ideal vacation if you had the funds available?
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15
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78
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June 2, 2026
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Mark Twain American Voice in Literature Award 2026
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15
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95
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June 2, 2026
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What information in the book was new to you? Did you learn anything about the time period from it? Did anything surprise you?
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14
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95
|
June 2, 2026
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Many of the characters' actions are motivated by the desire to protect or support their families. Mimi, Daniel, and many of the women who seek abortions at the clinic are driven by this desire. Does this change how you view their actions?
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12
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44
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June 1, 2026
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1000 Books: July 2026 Read: Captain Blood by Raphael Sabatini
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1
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27
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June 1, 2026
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Zayd Ayers Dohrn, author of Dangerous, Dirty, Violent, and Young, here for a Q&A June 1-3
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1
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17
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June 1, 2026
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How does Mimi change and grow over the course of the novel? What lessons does she learn?
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10
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66
|
May 31, 2026
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Mimi assists in a procedure on a 12-year-old girl and afterwards wants to provide more help to her. Ada, however, shuts her down. (p. 135). What did you think about her stance? Given the time period, is she correct to limit their assistance?
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14
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71
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May 30, 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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21
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109
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June 3, 2026
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Mimi’s sister sent letters home after being sent away, yet her parents never opened them. Why do you think this was? What impact did their actions have on Mimi? How would Mimi’s life have been different if she’d been in communication with her sister?
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14
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86
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May 30, 2026
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Merritt is sometimes harsh with those she’s interviewing but at other times she fawns. What were your thoughts as she spoke to suspects? What was your opinion of her investigative style? Is there another fictional detective she reminds you of?
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8
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51
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May 28, 2026
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Share your favorite bookish art
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8
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62
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May 28, 2026
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