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Start the discussion with your first question (use an open ended one to get things started). Note: sometimes people want time to think about your question and their answer. Part of being a good leader is being comfortable with some silence. Don’t jump in right away if no one answers. If need be, clarify or rephrase your question.
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Make connections between comments if someone makes a great point that leads to another question on your list that is not in the order you have them skip down and keep the discussion going. It will be more natural than sticking to a strict flow of questions.
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Make sure you included everyone in the questions if there is someone who is shy or quiet make sure that they are included in the discussion. Sometimes a few talkative people can dominate the discussion a good leader makes sure everyone gets a chance to talk. Engage silent readers by posing open-ended questions directly. But don’t badger the participants who really don’t want to participate. They may not have finished the book and don’t want to admit it. Try asking, “What did you like/dislike about the book, David?”
Keep control--stop tangents - Book clubs are popular with people who love to read and also those who love to talk. If people get off topic you need to rein them in. People came to talk about the book at hand not the person's personal philosophical, religious, political or favorite sports team. Comments such as, “Let’s get back to the end of chapter 6. What did you think at this point?” “I have a question about the situation on page 221. What’s really happening with this scene?”
Interruptions — There will always be someone who breaks in while another person is speaking. Most interruptions happen due to enthusiasm rather than rudeness. Control the interruptions by saying, “Hold that thought, Jacob. We’ll want to hear it again once Jennifer has finished.”
Monopolizing Conversation — Cut in on group member that is long winded with, “That’s an interesting point Bob. Did anyone else get the same impression or a different one?” “You’ve made some interesting points, Bob. Let’s hear from another reader. Caitlin? What did you think?” You don’t want to offend the long winded person so be patient, but you do need to think of the others in the group so keep the conversation moving around.
Keeping the group on the topic of the book — Try not to let readers wander and bring them back if they do. Comments such as, “Let’s get back to the end of chapter 4. What did you think at this point?” “I have a question about the situation on page 125. What’s really happening here?”
Be an active listener: Rephrase a reader’s comments or question to be sure you and others understand what was meant. This is an especially necessary technique when dealing with a fast talking member.
End on time, if this club is an on going club ,not a one time book discussion, then end on time. People want their time respected and if they have a babysitter or work the next day they will appreciate you ending on time. This may mean you don’t get through all your questions and that's okay.
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When you are getting to the end of your time, wrap up the discussion. One good way to do this is to ask people to rate the book on a scale of 1 to 10.
Book Club Questions
Character Questions
Do one or more of the characters tell the story?
If so, how do their own circumstances color the telling?
Which characters do you empathize with?
Which characters do you find it hard to empathize with?
Does a child narrator sound the age he/she should be?
Does the voice of a character set in a particular place or time ring true?
Are the characters or their circumstances familiar to you?
Why do characters do what they do?
Are their actions justified?
Describe the dynamics between characters (in a marriage, family, or friendship).
How has the past shaped their lives?
Do you admire or disapprove of them?
Do they remind you of people you know?
Do the main characters change by the end of the book?
Do they grow or mature?
Do they learn something about themselves and how the world works?
Who is the main character?
Why is this character important to the story?
Are there words a character spoke and/or actions a character took that helped you learn what kind of person he or she was?
Find and discuss two important sections.
Did any of the minor characters change?
Pick one and discuss how an event, person, and decision change that character.
Discuss what you think the main character learned about himself, his family, or his friends.
Describe a conflict between two characters. How was it resolved?
What did you learn about these characters?
Name one or two minor characters. How did they contribute to the main conflict?
What did you learn about these minor characters?
Name one to two minor characters. Show how each affected the main characters.
Were there problems characters couldn’t solve? Identify one or two and explain why you think they weren’t resolved.
Which character do you think is the voice of the author?
Is the main character likeable? Why or why not?
What makes a minor character memorable? Why is this character important to the story?
What do you think happens to the characters next? (after the last page is turned)
How are your feelings and the feelings of a character in your book alike? How are they different?
Have you had experiences similar to the character of the story? Discuss these.
Why is this character important to the story?
Are there words a character spoke and/or actions a character took that helped you learn what kind of person he or she was? Find and discuss two important sections.
How realistic was the characterization? Would you want to meet any of the characters? Did you like them? Hate them?
Did the actions of the characters seem plausible? Why? Why not?
If one (or more) of the characters made a choice that had moral implications, would you have made the same decision? Why? Why not?
Which character do you like the most and why? The least and why?
Are there situations and/or characters you can identify with, if so how?
How understandable were the motivations of the characters? What motivated the behavior of the characters?
Does the theme of the book relate to the protagonist's gender? How?
How are your feelings and the feelings of a character in your book alike? How are they different?
Describe the main character’s personality traits, motivations, inner qualities.
Why do characters do what they do?
Are their actions justified?
Describe the dynamics between characters (in a marriage, family, or friendship).
What do you think will happen to the characters next? Does the author plan a sequel? Would you read a sequel?
Are their actions consistent with their characters? If not, perhaps ask yourself if it is reasonable for anyone to be expected to act consistently in character? Do you find their actions troubling? How would you act in a similar situation? Do their experiences cause them to grow? If so, how?
Which character does the reader most closely identify with? If the character is the protagonist. Is there an antagonist (someone in conflict with the protagonist)?
Pick one word to evaluate each of the main character. (Character evaluation might include the use of adjectives, such as “flat,” “stale,” “round,” and “stereotypical.”)
What are the motives for one or more of the characters’ actions?
What kind of conflict do your characters face? (External and internal co
nflicts will nearly always engage a theme).
What beliefs do your characters embrace or reject?
What behavior models do your characters fit?
What "sins" or transgressions do your characters commit?
What kind of jobs do your characters have?
What do you characters fail and succeed to accomplish?
What kind of formative experiences (if any) does the reader know they had?
Author Questions
Did the author seem to appear in the book? How? Why? Was the presence of the author disruptive? Or did it seem appropriate/fitting?
Did the author leave loose ends? What were they?
What do you think the author wanted the reader to get out of the book?
What did the author attempt to do in the book? Was it successful?
What is the author's worldview?
How is the book structured? Flashbacks? From one point of view? Why do you think the author chose to write the book this way?
Does the author rely heavily on imagery and symbolism?
What words does the author use that you might want to use in your own writing? Jot these down in your notebook.
If you could ask the author a question, what would you ask? Have you read other books by the same author? If so how does this book compare. If not, does this book inspire you to read others?
Is the book autobiographical, has the author brought his/her own experience to the book, is it similar to other books the author has written, is it similar in style to other books by the author, and does the author show any growth/change in style between books?
What do you know about the author?
Discuss some points that the author is making about family, friends, feelings, nature, life experiences, or an historical period. Use details from the story that back up a point you’re making.
Discuss what the author might have been saying about family relationships and offer support from the story to back your position.
Is the author of the literature making connections between the literary work and real-life?
What is the author’s attitude toward the subject area?
How does the tone affect the meaning of the literature?
Questions for Specific Genres
Fantasy:
What are the settings?
Explain the elements of fantasy that you see in the setting.
How does the author enable you, the reader, to enter the fantasy world?
Are there realistic elements? Discuss some of these and how they affect the story.
How do trips to other times and worlds help the characters cope with the present time?
Is there a struggle between forces of light and dark? Who wins? Offer support for the victory.
What special powers does the hero possess? For what purposes does he or she use these powers?
What does the hero learn about himself/herself? About life?
What personality traits do you have in common with the hero? Discuss two of these.
How do ideas and themes in this book connect to other fantasy books you’ve read?
Does the story deal with values and themes about death?
How has this book changed your thinking?
Mystery
How does the author build suspense and excitement? Find two or three passages and discuss how the author accomplished this.
Was the mystery or suspense developed through description or characters’ thoughts and actions?
What is the mystery that must be solved? How does setting affect the mystery?
What are some clues that the author includes to lead you away from solving the mystery?
What traits does the main character possess that enables him or her to solve the mystery?
Why did the main character become involved in the mystery?
How does danger affect the decisions and actions of the main character/detective?
At what point in the book were you able to solve the mystery? Why could you do this?
What part did you consider most suspenseful? Share it and explain why.
Fairy and Folk Tales:
Can you classify your fairy/folktale and explain why you selected the category?
Was it a cumulative, circular, realistic, wonder, beast, numskull, giant, or quest tale?
Does the tale revolve around magic numbers? If so, explain the role of these magic numbers in the story and how they affected the adventures and characters.
Why must heroic tasks or deeds be accomplished?
How do the adventures, the magic, and other characters change the life of the hero or heroine?
What are two difficult decisions characters made? What influences these decisions? How do their decisions change their lives?
What human characteristics do animals, flowers, and toys have? How are their qualities similar to yours?
What is the clash and struggle between good and evil? Who wins? Offer support for your opinion on the victory.
Who is the hero? The heroine? What qualities make him or her heroic?
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Nonfiction:
There are many different types of nonfiction book club reads so these questions will aim at the general nonfiction book. We’ll indicate in parenthesis our nonfiction book ideas for that particular question.
Did you admire or detest this person? Why? (Biography or Autobiography)
What life lesson can be learned from this event or story? (General Nonfiction)
Did the book read like a story, a newspaper article, a report, something else? Give examples. (General Nonfiction)
What one new fact did you learn from reading this book? (General Nonfiction)
What was the motivation for the writing of this book? (General but great for Bio or Auto Bio)
Did you feel this book truly belonged in the nonfiction genre? (Memoir)
Was the point of the book to share an opinion, explain a topic, tell about a personal journey, or something else? Did the author do it well? (General Nonfiction)
What part of this book inspired you in some way? Explain. (Motivational, Self Help)
Will you read other books by this author? Why or why not? (General Nonfiction)
Did this book change your life in a positive or negative way? Explain (General Nonfiction)
Style of Writing Questions
Describe what you liked or disliked about the writer ’s style?
Is the plot engaging—does the story interest you? Is this a plot-driven book: a fast-paced page-turner? Or does the story unfold slowly with a focus on character development? Were you surprised by the plot's complications? Or did you find it predictable, even formulaic?
Talk about the book's structure. Is it a continuous story...or interlocking short stories? Does the time-line move forward chronologically...or back and forth between past and present? Does the author use a single viewpoint or shifting viewpoints? Why might the author have chosen to tell the story the way he or she did—and what difference does it make in the way you read or understand it?
What main ideas—themes—does the author explore?
What style is it written in?
What voice is the story written in - the first person (I, we), third person (he, she), or rarely in the second person (you)? How does this perspective color the story? If the story is told from multiple viewpoints, how do these different perspectives influence your perception? Is the book told from one point of view or many? Is this a genre that you're familiar with? Does the book 'break the mold' in any way.
Time or Period Questions
Is the period in which the book is set important to the theme? Why? Are the values presented dated? How?
When does the story take place? Was it long ago, in the future, or the present? What did you learn about this time period?
How much time passes in the story?
Sk
im through your book and find places that show how the author makes time pass and share these.
When was the book written?
If it's written recently, do you think it will date well or badly - will people still be reading it in 10 years, 50 years, a hundred years? If it was written sometime ago - does it feel like it's a product of its time? Is it a book that could be written now? If not, why not? What does it say about people's values at the time? Have they changed?
If the story is set in the past, is this a period you know anything about? Would you have liked to live in this time? What would be the advantages/disadvantages? If set in the future - do you think it's a credible view of the future? Is it one that you'd wish on future generations? If it's set in the current time, what current events, if any, color the story?
Are there historical or cultural events that happened at the same time or place as the story?
Place or Setting Questions
How does the setting figure into the book?
How would the book have been different if it had taken place in a different time or place?
Is the setting of the book important to the theme? Why? How realistic is the setting?
Where does the story take place? Discuss the important settings and explain why you believe each is important to the story.
Do the location and environment of the book color the telling of the story or are they merely a backdrop? Does the location change during the book or stay the same? If it changes, does this have any effect on the central characters?
Does the reader know where and when a scene takes place?
What man-made elements (if any) make up your setting?
What natural elements (if any) make up your setting?
What is the most prominent color?
What design or aesthetic principles are visible?
What non-speaking characters (like passersby) in the scene; what do they look like?
What do those other characters look like to the P.O.V. character? (Shorter, taller, fatter, thinner, etc).
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