By Jori Hanna
You gather your friends and the snacks. We have the books and the discussion covered.
As a small publisher, we pride ourselves on having a close relationship with our readers. We love hearing from you—whether you loved a book, want to chat with an author, or have questions about how we may be able to help you publish your book, too.
Many of our wonderful authors have put together discussion guides for their books. We are happy to provide those by request. However, if you’re reading a book, think it’s perfect for a book club, but can’t find discussion questions for it anywhere, please reach out. We’re happy to connect you with the author to have them speak at your book club or get you a discussion guide as quickly as possible.
Looking for a generic discussion guide to supplement your reading? We’ve put together a list of general questions for both fiction and nonfiction. Please contact us for printable versions of these questions.
General Questions for Fiction
1. What was your first impression of this book when you saw we were reading it? Did you know anything about it before you started reading?
2. Who’s your favorite character? Why? Which character do you most see yourself in? Is there any character you absolutely hated? Why?
3. If the events of this book happened to you, would you have reacted the same way as the characters? How do you think things would have gone differently?
4. What was your favorite part of the book? Was there any section of the book that didn’t sit right with you? If so, which one?
5. How would you describe the tone of this book? Encouraging? Somber? Inspirational? Explain.
6. What do you think the central themes of this book are? Where do you see those themes and symbols throughout the story?
7. How did you feel about the author’s writing style? What did you like and dislike? Was this book easy to read? How long did it take you to really feel entrenched in the story?
8. If this book became a movie, who would you cast as the main characters? Are there any elements of this story that remind you of trending pop culture?
9. Describe what you were looking for when you opened this book. Did it accomplish what you hoped it would?
10. Are there any amazing quotes you’d love to have on a T-shirt? Why?
11. If you looked across a waiting room and saw someone else reading this book, what would you say to them if you had the chance to interact?
12. Would you be interested in reading more from this author? Or, if this book is a series, would you want to continue the series?
13. Was there anything that left you confused when you finished reading? What loose ends did you want to be tied up? Do you think those questions were left unanswered intentionally?
14. If you had a chance to ask the author one question, what question would you ask them?
15. Would you recommend this book to someone? Would you give them any caveats? Who do you think would most enjoy it?
General Questions for Nonfiction
1. What was your first impression of this book when you saw it was chosen for the club? Did you know anything about it before you started reading?
2. What part of the book resonates most with you? Are there any segments you most relate to? What are they?
3. While you were reading, what emotions came up? Has this book brought awareness to anything you want to keep following even now that the book is done?
4. How would you describe the tone of this book? Encouraging? Somber? Inspirational? Explain.
5. Have you encountered anything in your own life related to the problems, issues, or topics brought up in this book? How did the author’s presentation of these aspects impact you?
6. How did you feel about the author’s writing style? What did you like and dislike? Was this book easy to read?
7. Describe what you were looking for when you opened this book. Did it accomplish what you hoped it would?
8. What did reading this book show you about yourself, others, or the world at large?
9. Are there any amazing quotes you’d love to have on a T-shirt? Why?
10. If you looked across a waiting room and saw someone else reading this book, what would you say to them if you had the chance to interact?
11. Would you be interested in reading more from this author?
12. Has reading this book sparked any desire for further research or reflection? About what aspects covered in this book do you want to learn more?
13. If you could put this author in the room with two other experts and be a fly on the wall, who would you choose and what do you hope they’d discuss?
14. If you had a chance to ask the author one question, what question would you ask them?
15. Would you recommend this book to someone? Would you give them any caveats? Who do you think would most enjoy it?
