|
Characters |
|
Alexandria Watson “Alix” Libby Bibb – new name on all of Alix’s accounts Beau Sato-Jones – hand-made period clothing, making
dress for movie premier Elizabeth – boss at public library Chad and Chester – security guards Astral Library – live inside a book, can enter from
any library in the world Librarian – in charge Alix – a Page Astral Gallery – can enter and live in a painting Gallerist – head Programmer – can live in video games Other Patrons living in books: Sarah – in Sherlock Holmes’ world, someone looking
for her Stephanie – in Jane Eyre Larry Barr/Lawrence Douglas – in Tom Sawyer; transgender,
escaping strict, religious family |
|
Rules for entering the
Astral Library |
|
Can only use a book in the public domain When the story ends: 1)
Return the book
and try a new one 2)
Go back to old
life 3)
Keep living in
that world but with no guarantee what will happen Same amount of time happens in real life – if stay
one year in book return one year older Person automatically accepted into book society |
NOTE:
Page numbers are from the 2026 hardback edition.
1.
Did
you enjoy all the references to books?
Did you enjoy them even if you had not read the book?
2.
With
the character of Beau, did you enjoy all of the descriptions of period
clothing? Would you like to wear some of
the different styles?
3.
There
was some serious commentary in the book such as the insights into the foster
care system and how if failed Alix. What
did you think about this inclusion in a fantasy book? Was it too much?
4.
Did
you gain any insight into living in poverty? The author wrote, “another aspect of poverty
math: how expensive it is, how frustratingly, ruinously expensive, to be broke”
(page 12). For example, Alix could not
afford good shoes that would last, so she had to keep buying cheap shoes that
wore out quickly.
5.
As
you were reading, what did you think was happening when Alix thought she saw
her mother in a book or painting?
6.
Were
you surprised to read that her mother had a new family, business and daughter
and had completely abandoned Alix? Why
do you think she did this?
7.
What
were some references to books and reading that you liked? For example, the ghosts reading the books in
the Astral Library were described as “people who died with too many books on
their To Be Read stack” (page 50).
8.
The
author wrote, “What a miraculous thing a book was, when you stopped to think
about it: whole worlds springing to life from nothing more than squiggles on a
page” (page 190). What books have you
read where you could clearly imagine the world the characters were living in?
9.
Did
you like the ending, including the following:
a.
Alix
deciding not to contact mother but secretly watching stepsister
b.
Beau
working out of the library so he has more time in the day to work
c.
Alix
deciding to stay and become the new Librarian, turning into a dragon
d.
Talking
to current authors about people being able to enter their books, including Kate
Quinn
10.
The
new library board wanted the library to be 25% each - books, computers,
tertiary media and monetized programming.
In the book this was portrayed as bad and against the library’s
purpose. How do you think a library
should adapt in today’s world and still remain relevant plus promote books and
reading?
11.
Discuss
your reading experience. Do you usually
read fantasy books? Did you enjoy this
one? Did your feelings change as you
read along?
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