At Doreen's June 2014

At Joanna's in May

Clammed Up - discussion questions

1. Did you like the book? Why? Or Why not?
2. Who was your favorite character?
3. What did you think of Julia’s crush on Chris Durand?
4. Were the characters believable?
5. Did you expect the ending?
6. After reading this book did you feel like going to Maine on vacation? Or at least eating Lobster Mac Cheese?

An Officer and A Spy - discussion topics from Litlovers

1. Describe the Paris of the late 19th century, with its demimonde decadence, pugnacious press, and political enmities. How well does Harris do in bring the ambience of the city to life? Are there any parallels to our current time?

2. What is the effect of France's loss of Alsace and Lorraine to the Germans? How does that set the stage for the events that occur in the novel?

3. Talk about France's anti-Semitism. How deeply does it run permeate the culture and why?

4. What made Dreyfus such a satisfying target for the French public? What does Picquart mean when he reflects, after the Dreyfus's conviction, that it is "as if all the loathing and recrimination bottled up since the defeat of 1870 has found an outlet in a single individual"?

5. Why does the military stonewall Picquart's later finding of Dreyfus's innocence? Why is is so difficult for institutions to admit to wrong doing or mistakes?

6. General Gonse asks an interesting question of Picquart: "I know your views on the Chosen Race—really, when all is said and done, what does it matter to you if one Jew stays on Devil's Island?" Exactly, Does it matter...in the larger scope of events? Why or why not?

7. What happens when institutions place their own survival above all else? Does this occur today? Do we have institutions in government, business, religion, education that are concerned with their own preservation at the expense of their integrity—that place their continued existence over what is morally right?

8. History is rife with "cover-ups"—we've seen them time and again. Why is it so difficult to follow a moral path in public life?

9. What do you think of the final scene (no spoilers here) between Picquart and Dreyfus?

(Questions by LitLovers. Please feel free to use them, online or off, with attribution. Thanks.)

At Kathy's, discussing Malala

Malala -discussion questions

1. Would you have had the bravery that Malala exhibited and continues to exhibit?

2. Talk about the role of Malala's parents, especially her father, Ziauddin. If you were her parents, would you have encouraged her to write and speak out?

3. How does Malala describe the affect of the growing Taliban presence in her region? Talk about the rules they imposed on the citizens in the Swat valley. What was life like?

4. Mala has said that despite the Taliban's restrictions against girls/women, she remains a proud believer. Would you—could you—maintain your faith given those same

restrictions?

5. Talk about the reaction of the international community after Malala's shooting. Has the outrage made a difference...has it had any effect?

6. What can be done about female education in the Middle East and places like Pakistan? What are the prospects? Can one girl, despite her worldwide fame, make a difference?

Why does the Taliban want to prevent girls from acquiring an education—how do they see the female role? *

7. Talk about the Taliban's power in the Muslim world. Why does it continue to grow and attract followers...or is it gaining new followers? What attraction does it have for Muslim

men? Can it ever be defeated?

8. Do you agree with Malala that “terror can make people cruel?” Consider historical examples in defending your thoughts.

9. In Part three, we are told of the clandestine operation by the Americans, resulting in the killing of Osama Bin Laden. What are your reactions to the Pakistani view of the events? What reasons do they have to be distrustful of the Americans? What reasons do the Americans have to be distrustful of the Pakistani people? What solutions do you see? Do you think that peace can ever be achieved? If so, what steps need to be taken?

10. In Part Four we are told that the Taliban targeted then fourteen-year-old Malala “because of her primary role in preaching secularism…promoting Western culture…speaking against the Taliban…calling President Obama her idol.” What do you think they hoped to accomplish in the death of this young girl? What might this suggest about the Taliban and their motives?

11. Malala recognizes in Part five that in shooting her, the Taliban made her story global. In what ways did their plan backfire? What things does Malala report are now happening because of her story? What do you see in Malala’s future? In Pakistan’s future? Do you think one girl can make a difference?

12. Malala speaks often of her faith in God. In the middle sections of the book she mourns the killing of Christians by the Taliban, and the loss of the Buddhist histories destroyed by the Taliban. Towards the end of her story, and during her recovery, she speaks of the faith of her family. How can we reconcile something as precious as one’s faith within the turmoil caused in the name of religion? How is it that things so precious to mankind can be turned against it?

13. Do you agree with Malala that books and pens are our most valuable weapons? Explain your thoughts.

14. Study the photographs in the back of the book. Which ones stand out to you and why? Which do you think best complement Malala’s story?

15. Do you think Malala and her family will ever return to Swat? If so what do you think their lives will be like?

16. Even though Malala has received countless letters of support, she has also received messages of hate. Some from her homeland have even accused her family of setting up the entire incident to allow them to live and study abroad. Malala says that she does not blame them, as they have seen so much corruption and distrust. How is it that a girl who loves vampires, gossip, and fighting with her best friend, can also show such maturity.

Questions from Lit Lovers and J.E. Byrne's website

At Jackie's February 2014