 Even though this is our September selection - I read it in July, which was the perfect time to read this book. It is a GREAT summer read. The style is light although the subjects can be a bit contemplative or heavy they don't come across that way. This book is a must have for a beach bag. On a scale of 1 - 5: Sex: 2 Religion: 1 Gruesome: 2 Suspense: 2 Morality: 3 Sex - is mentioned in a matter of fact way. Couples have sex, that's what couples do - whether they are yet married or not. But the sex is not described in detail. It may be contemplated and overheard but this is far from a trashy romance novel.Morality - All the characters seem like nice people - they could be your co-worker. But they all have ethical dilemmas and some handle them better than others. One character is in love with someone of the same sex. One character has a quasi-affair. Discussion Questions Did you think it was okay that Hank got involved with Birdie while his wife was still alive? "Birdie was aware that her greatest flaw as a mother was not holding the children fully accountable for their actions." (p. 19) What is your greatest flaw as a mother? Why do you think the male love interests were most often referred to with first and last names? (Michael Morgan, Barrett Lee) "It was the world's greatest privilege to be a mother. But God knows, it was a punishment as well." (p. 41) In what ways is being a mother a privilege and a punishment? Was the climbing-related death an accident? What did you believe at first? When did your opinion change? Who did you think Barrett Lee would get together with and why? What did you think about Birdie going out at 2:00 a.m. to call Hank? Why did you think Hank didn't answer? "I don't know if there is anything sadder than a mother who knows she has to leave her babies behind, but if there is I don't want to see it." (p. 254) Is there? Hilderbrand relies on the word "said" instead of varying the words used to indicate dialogue. What effect does this have? Was it more obvious in print or in audio? Who was the character you wanted to read the most about? The least? "Birdie wondered about other couples who had divorced and then remarried. Had they been drawn back to their marriages out of loneliness, because they could find nothing better? Had they been drawn back out of habit? Or had they been drawn together as if they were two new people with new things to discover and appreciate about each other?" (p. 386) What do you think causes similar re-unions? In the last fifty pages, what surprised you most? Theme Ideas Serve wine and palmiers (p. 22) on a tray like Birdie was serving Hank when Michael Morgan called. Serve Tuscan Lemon Chicken, "Chess's favorite" (p. 37-38) and rhubarb pie. Serve Perrier with ice and lime (p. 136) like Birdie was going to have after the first time she called Grant from Tuckernuck. Serve Tate's picnic: Mozzerella and Tomato sandwiches with Pesto, Potato Chips, Plums, Raspberries & Blueberries, Brownies and Lemonade. Take the hostess a pink gerbera daisy in a pot wrapped in pink foil (p. 159) like Lula took to India. Serve what India served Lula (p. 160): Salad of greens, figs, toasted pine nuts & herbed goat cheese with vinaigrette, fettuccine with truffle butter, cream and pecorino cheese, homemade bread, and plum crumble with amaretto ice cream. Serve Veuve Clicquot champagne (p. 222) in honor of Chess. Have a clam bake and roast marshmallows. Playlist (for current bands I chose the most recent album prior to 2012 when the book was written:
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