- What did you get out of the book and/or what did it mean to you? Do you have any favorite passages or quotes?
- Why do you think the author wrote this?
- What major issues and ideas was the author trying to convey and explore – love, coming of age, disillusionment , fate, family ties, etc.
- Is there any moral responsibility shown, abdicated, abused?
- Are the characters’ actions the result of freedom of choice or destiny/fate?
- Are there any symbols or imagery in the book that may have cultural, political, or religious significance?
- What type of vision does the author use with his choice of words? Optimistic, pessimistic, prophetic, cautionary, humorous, satirical, venomous, reminiscent …
- How did you relate to the characters? Choose one to elaborate upon.
- What memories were invoked by the story?
- Think about the way the story was told. How did the narrator’s voice affect your reading of it? Did the voice draw you in or distance you from it?
- Was the plot effective?
- Were the major conflicts resolved in a satisfactory manner?
- How would you describe the author’s style? Spare, lyrical, descriptive, objective etc.?
- Does the author’s writing style and devices add power to the overall effect of the book or are they distracting or forced? (G)ive an example of text
- Does the book appeal more to you emotions or intellect? How and why?
- What in this novel makes you laugh, cry, feel uncomfortable, feel anger?
Other Types of General Questions
General Book Club Questions
- What is the significance of the title? Did you find it meaningful, why or why not?
- Would you have given the book a different title? If yes, what would your title be?
- What were the main themes of the book? How were those themes brought to life?
- What did you think of the writing style and content structure of the book?
- How important was the time period or the setting to the story? Did you think it was accurately portrayed?
- How would the book have played out differently in a different time period or setting?
- Which location in the book would you most like to visit and why?
- Were there any quotes (or passages) that stood out to you? Why?
- What did you like most about the book? What did you like the least?
- How did the book make you feel? What emotions did it evoke?
- Are there any books that you would compare this book to?
- Have you read any other books by this author? How would you compare them to this selection?
- What do you think the author’s goal was in writing this book? What ideas were they trying to illustrate? What message were they trying to send?
- What did you learn from this book?
- Did this book remind you of any other books that you’ve read? Describe the connection.
- Did your opinion of this book change as you read it? How?
- Would you recommend the book to a friend? How would you summarize the story if you were to recommend it?
- Was the book satisfying to read? Why or why not?
- If you could talk to the author, what burning question would you want to ask?