Book Discussion Starters
Directions: Use one or more of the questions below to jump-start your reflections and discussions.
- Did you enjoy the book? Why? Why not?
- Is there one character that is similar to you?
- Have you ever had a similar experience as someone in the book?
- How did the book compare to other books by the author (or other books in the same genre)?
- What about the plot? Did it pull you in; or did you feel you had to force yourself to read the book?
- 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?
- How would the story have been different if you were the main character?
- Think of all the ways the main character changed in the book.What did the main character learn?
- If you could jump in at any point in this book and become a part of the storyline, where would it be?
- If one (or more) of the characters made a choice that had moral implications, would you have made the same decision? Why? Why not?
- How would you resolve the conflict (problem) in the book?
- How does the setting figure into the book? Is the setting a character? Does it come to life? Did you feel you were experiencing the time and place in which the book was set?
- How would the book have been different if it had taken place in a different time or place?
- What are some of the book's themes? How important were they?
- How are the book's images symbolically significant? Do the images help to develop the plot, or help to define characters?
- What "touches" you most about this book?
- Did the book end the way you expected?
- Would you recommend this book to other readers? To your close friend?
- What did you learn from reading this book?
- What do you think will happen to the characters after the end of the book?