Still Me, by JoJo Moyes

Characters

Louisa Clark Mother Father Grandfather Sister – Katrina “Treena” Thom – Treena’s son Edwina “Eddie” – Treena’s love interest Sam Fielding – new boyfriend, paramedic Donna – old partner Katie Ingram – new partner Will Traynor – patient she cared her in past (from novel Me Before You) Camilla – mother Lily - daughter Joshua William Ryan III

Mr. Gopnik Agnes Gopnik – second wife Zofia – daughter in Poland Kathryn – first wife, “The Big Purple” Tabitha – daughter to first wife, “Tab” Greg – son to first wife Michael – Mr. Gopnik’s assistant Nathan – physical therapist Ilaria – housekeeper, made meals no one liked George – Agnes’ trainer Garry – chauffer Steven - artist The Lavery: Ashok – doorman Meena - wife Mrs. Margo DeWitt – tenant Frank Weber – son, wife Laynie Vincent Weber - grandson Dean Martin – dog Vintage Emporium Lydia

 For Discussion

NOTE: I am reading a pre-publication copy of this novel, so the quotes are only referenced to the chapter they are from.

1. Toward the end of Chapter Four at the Stager Charitable Foundation Dinner where everyone was dressed beautifully, Louisa thought that they did not have any “fun” with their wardrobes.   Also, from her background she had the idea that to spend too much attention on yourself and how you looked showed an “unhealthy interest in yourself.”   She also thought that the women, “looked as if they made appearance a full-time job.”  Where is the happy medium?
2. When Agnes discovered her dress was not appropriate for the dinner, Louisa told her to “style it out” and “own it” (Chapter Five).  Was this good advice?
3. In Chapter Six, were you surprised that Agnes’ friends changed and seemed to resent her for helping them?  Why do you think they felt this way?
4. Also, in Chapter Six, when Louise was telling Sam about the event she commented that the people there didn’t seem to notice or appreciate the decorations and no one ate their dessert.   Why?
5. In Chapter 15, Louisa thinks about how we see people wearing uniforms and how that takes away their individually.   Did you ever wear a uniform in your job?  Do you agree with this assessment?
6. What differences between wealthy and “regular” people were described in the novel?  Do you agree?
7. Would you like to have someone like Louisa to see to your every need?
8. In Chapter 16 Louisa realized that Mr. Gopnik was only interested in giving to a charity if he was seen giving.   If this is the case, it is really giving or self-promotion?
9. How difficult is it to say “Yes” to new experiences as Will advised Louise to do?  How comfortable are you with new things?
10. When Mrs. DeWitt was telling Louisa about her son, she said, “All this nonsense about women having it all. We never could and we never shall. Women always have to make the difficult choices.  But there is great consolation in simply doing something you love” (Chapter 23).   Do you agree with this statement?
11. Toward the end of the book when Louisa was trying to find Sam at the top of Rockefeller Plaza, she thought about how often she had reinvented herself and that she could do it again.  Can you relate?  How you reinvented yourself throughout your life?
12. How was your reading experience?   Did you enjoy this novel?  Were there any parts that especially spoke to you?

*****
First Semester Success: Learning Strategies and Motivation for Your First Semester (or Any Semester) of College, by Dr. Arden B. Hamer, is available at amazon.com, wordassociation.com and barnesandnoble.com.   Click on the upper right  link.

When the Killing's Done, by T. C. Boyle

Characters, Organizations, Locations, and Animals
Alma’s family	Others	Invasive Species
Beverly Boyd – grandmother Tilden Boyd – grandfather Warren – friend Katherine “Kat” Boyd – mother Greg Takesue – father Ed – stepfather Dr. Alma Boyd Takesue Tim Sickafoose – boyfriend Beverly – Alma and Tim’s baby	For the Protection of Animals (FPA): David LaJoy Anise Reed Wilson Gutierrez National Park Service: Alicia Penner – secretary and spy for FPA Robert Freeman Scorpion Ranch: Rita – Anise’s mother Baxter Russell “Bax” Frazier Carter – Island Healers Annabuelle Yuell – Nature Conservancy Toni Walsh - reporter	Alapaca – rats Guam – brown tree snake Santa Cruz – pigs Succession of animals on Santa Cruz: Bald Eagles – died, DDT Sheep – overgrazed, removed Golden Eagles – killed pigs, then foxes – removed to save foxes Bald Eagles - reintroduced

 For Discussion:

NOTE:   Page numbers are from paperback edition.

1. Did you understand Beverly’s reaction to Katherine’s boyfriend, Greg, being Japanese? 
2. When we first met Dave and the FPA protestors, they were protesting the killing of rats on Alapaca.  Did the fact that rats are not cute and cuddly have any bearing on your reaction?
3. Why was Dave LaJoy always so angry?   Why did the author give him a last name containing the word “joy?”
4. Discuss LaJoy’s reaction to raccoons and then other animals destroying his new yard? 
5. Did LaJoy value animals more than humans?   Was he careless with his boat and causing the death of four people?
6. On page 304, did you feel sympathetic toward the dead hog after you read the description of how is was perfectly made for its life?
7. Later, also on page 304, Frazier said, “This is one mean animal.” And Alma things, “He’s right…These animals have to be eliminated and if you stop to see them as individuals you’re done.”   Does this explain the difference in how Alma and LaJoy view the animals?
8. Discuss Tim’s reaction to Alma getting pregnant?   How did his suggestion that she get an abortion fit with his work protecting the animals?
9. What did you think about Dave LaJoy’s revelation on page 358 when Wilson was holding the rattlesnake?   The author wrote, “And he understands, for the first time, how wrong this is, how wrong he’s been, how you have to let the animals – the animals – decide for themselves.”
10. Given the numerous ways man has accidentally or purposefully made decisions for the animals, is it possible for the animals to determine their own fate?
11. How did you like the end of the novel – Dave and friends being killed, Rita going to the ranch house to scatter Anise’s ashes and purposefully missing the boat home, finding the raccoon that Dave released on the island?
12. How well did the author present the different sides of the protection of animals issue?   Were his portrayals realistic?
13. How would you categorize this book?  Adventure? Science?  Did you learn anything or gain any new insights?

*****
First Semester Success: Learning Strategies and Motivation for Your First Semester (or Any Semester) of College, by Dr. Arden B. Hamer, is available at amazon.com, wordassociation.com and barnesandnoble.com.   Click on the upper right link.

The Glass Castle, by Jeannette Walls

Characters

Rex Walls – father Rose Mary – mother Lori – older sister, became freelance artist Jeannette Brian – brother, younger than Jeannette, decorated police detective Maureen – younger sister, jailed for stabbing mother, moved to California Grandma Smith – Rose Mary’s mother Jim – brother, inherited Texas land with Rose Mary Erma – Rex’s mother Father Uncle Stanley Eric – Jeannette’s first husband John Taylor – second husband Jessica – John’s daughter Welch: Dinitia Hewitt Ernie Goad Miss Jeanette Bivens – English teacher, advisor to school newspaper

 For Discussion:

NOTE: Page numbers are from 2006 paperback edition

1. Given Rex’s intelligence and pursuit of knowledge, why do you think he chose to live the way he did? Were there some things about his personality outside his control? Could you understand him?
2. When you read the “Acknowledgements” section at the beginning, what did you think about Maureen’s reaction to the book?   Did you have a fuller understanding after you finished the book?
3. What did you think when reading the first part, “A Woman on the Street” (pages 3-5)?  Where you able to understand Jeannette’s reaction?  How do you think you would have reacted?
4. Why didn’t Rose Mary take advantage of any of the options she had such as selling the two-caret diamond ring and the antique jewelry and buy food and somewhere to live?   
5. When confronted about selling the diamond ring, Rose Mary said that the ring would improve her self-esteem and that “self-esteem is even more vital than food” (page 186).    What did you think about her reasoning?  What insight did this give you into her character?
6. On page 208, after Rose Mary quit her teaching job, Lori wanted Jeannette to feel sorry for her mother.  She said, “Poor Mom…She’s got it tough.”   Jeannette thought, “a strong woman would be able to manage Dad.”   Does Rose Mary deserve any sympathy?
7. In the following section, Lori went to a government-sponsored summer camp and Rose Mary went to Charleston to take college courses for her teaching certificate, leaving Jeannette, at age 13, in charge of the household (pages 208-213).  Why wasn’t Jeannette able to keep her father under control as she expected her mother to do? 
8. Several times Rose Mary explained what she did saying that she was, “an excitement addict” (page 93).  How does this explain her actions? 
9. What did you think of Rose Mary’s sayings?  Was she wise, foolish, or just kidding herself?
1. “Suffering when you’re young is good for you” (page 28).
2. “Life is a drama full of tragedy and comedy…You should learn to enjoy the comic episodes a little more” (page 129).
3. “…you should never hate anyone, even your worst enemies. Everyone has something good about them” (page 144).
4. “All seasons have something to offer…Cold weather is good for you.  It kills the germs” (page 177).
5. “Sexual assault was a crime of perception. ‘If you don’t think you’re hurt then you aren’t…So many women make such a big deal out of these things.  But you’re stronger than that” (page 184).
10. At the end of the book Rose Marie bought her apartment where she had been a squatter for 15 years for $1 from the city and was on the residents’ board.    Do you think she will be happy and settle down? Why might it be different now than when she was younger?
11. Discuss the importance of sexual abuse in the memoir: Erma molesting Brian, questioning if Erma had likewise molested Rex, Uncle Stanley groping Jeannette, and Rex taking Jeannette to a bar to distract Robbie so he could win money from him at pool.  In the last instance Rex brushed off the fact that Robbie attacked her because he was confident Jeannette could handle herself.
12. Why did Maureen, who seemed to have the best childhood, have the most troubles later in life?
13. How was Jeannette’s adult life positively and negatively affected by her childhood?

*****
First Semester Success: Learning Strategies and Motivation for Your First Semester (or Any Semester) of College, by Dr. Arden B. Hamer, is available at amazon.com, wordassociation.com and barnesandnoble.com.   Click on the upper right link.