This page will give you some tips on what you can bring up during the discussion week. You can also think of these pointers while writing your book review at the end of the month.

While you’re reading, write down important page numbers or chapter titles. If there is a certain point you want to make, keep references to it. Instead of saying: “Do you remember that part when this happened?” say: “On page 76 in my edition, or a few pages into Chapter 12 if your book is different, this happened.”

Think of the following things:

1. Subject: What is the book about? Why do you think the author chose this subject to write about? Do you have any interest in this subject?
2. Plot: Is it too simple or too complicated? Were you happy with the ending, time frame, setting, etc, or do you feel this subject would have been better handled somewhere else or some other time?
3. Characters: How did you feel about the main characters? Are there too many side characters? How does the author use the characters to tell the story? Who was your favorite character?
4. Narration: Is the story told from first person point of view (“I” “me”) or third person (“he” “they”)? How many characters narrate – is it it just one main character, or is it divided among several characters? Do you feel that the author made a good choice with the style of narration, or do you feel that the story would have been presented better another way?
5. Setting: Do you feel the author described the setting well enough, or would you have been happier with a better description of time and place?
6. Themes: What are the major themes that this author is trying to explore? Do you feel these themes are important enough to read about?
7. Style: Did you enjoy the author’s style of writing, or was it too descriptive, too lyrical, too wordy, too boring, etc?
8. Reviews: Had you read other reviews for this book before starting it, or before discussing it? Do you agree or disagree with those reviews?
9. Author: Have you read any other books by this author? If so, how does this book compare to those? If not, does this book make you want to read more by that author?
10. Enjoyment: Did you enjoy reading this book, or was it very difficult to get through? Were you satisfied with the ending, or were you left wanting more? Do you feel like you understood what the author was trying to say, or are you still very confused?