Why Start a Book Club?

• Social Connections: Books bring people together. Engaging in literary discussions can lead to deep, meaningful connections.
• Diverse Perspectives: Every reader interprets a story differently. A book club offers a platform to explore varied viewpoints, enriching your understanding.
• Commitment to Reading: Having a monthly book to finish can motivate even the busiest bee to prioritize reading.

Step-by-step Guide to Starting Your Club

1. Determine Your Book Club’s Purpose

Is it purely social, a serious literary analysis, or themed around a certain genre or author? Understanding your mission helps attract the right members.

2. Decide on the Size

While smaller groups allow deeper conversations, larger ones bring different perspectives. Aim for 5-12 members initially.

3. Choose a Meeting Location

Popular choices include homes, cafes, libraries, or even online platforms like Zoom for virtual clubs.

4. Set the Ground Rules

To avoid chaos, we set some basic rules. How will books be chosen? How long are the discussions? Is there a moderator?

5. Promote Your Book Club

Use social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, or Meetup. Local libraries or bookstores might also help spread the word.

6. Prepare Discussion Questions

Kick off with open-ended questions. They can be found online, in books, or you can create your own.

7. Ensure Everyone Gets a Say

Ensure inclusive discussions. A competent moderator can ensure quiet members have a chance to voice their opinions.

8. Stay Consistent

Set a regular meeting time, monthly or bi-weekly. Consistency keeps members engaged.

Selecting the Right Books

The backbone of any book club is, of course, the books! Here are some tips.

• Rotate Selection Power: Allow different members to choose books.
• Diversify: Mix genres, authors, and cultures. This keeps things fresh and educational.
• Availability: Ensure the book is easily accessible through libraries or digital platforms.

The Do’s and Don’ts of a Successful Book Club

• Encourage open discussion and respect for different opinions.
• Don’t let one person dominate the conversation.
• Stay flexible. If a book isn’t resonating, switch.
• Don’t make it all about the book. Bonding and socializing are key!

Tech Tips for the Modern Book Club

In today’s digital age, even something as traditional as a book club can benefit from the plethora of tools and platforms available:

1. Utilize Online Platforms

With platforms like Zoom, Skype, and Google Meet, geographical boundaries no longer limit members. You can have a member from New York discuss a plot twist with another in Tokyo, creating a truly global community.

2. Mobile Apps to the Rescue

Apps like Goodreads or Book Clubz can help manage your book club, allowing members to rate books, schedule meetings, and even discuss asynchronously.

3. E-books and Audiobooks

Platforms like Audible or Kindle offer a wide range of books that can be shared among members. E-books, in particular, have features to highlight text and make notes, perfect for those who love discussing in-depth.

4. Create a Social Media Presence

Creating a Facebook group or Instagram page for your book club can help engage members, share book recommendations, and even attract new members. Remember to use popular hashtags like #BookClub or #ReadingCommunity to increase visibility.

5. Podcasts and Author Interviews

Complement your reading by listening to author interviews or podcasts related to the book. This can offer deeper insights and spark intriguing discussions.

Challenges to Anticipate and Overcome

Starting and maintaining a book club has its challenges.

• Commitment Issues: Not everyone has the time to finish the book. Be understanding and keep some summaries on hand.
• The variety of tastes makes it difficult to please everyone with each book selection. Rotating the selection power and having a voting system can help.
• Logistics: Especially for in-person meetings, coordinating can be tough. Online tools like Doodle can help determine the best time to meet.

Final Words

Book clubs are filled with enlightening discussions and shared moments, which are truly magical. It’s not just about books; it’s about connecting with people, sharing experiences, and growing as individuals.

Remember, the most successful book clubs are those where members feel valued, heard, and connected. With the right mix of dedication, passion, and modern technology, your book club can become a thriving community of avid readers.

So, are you ready to dive into stories and discussions? Happy reading and discussing!

The post Bookworms Unite! Secrets to Crafting the Perfect Book Club appeared first on Ada mR Oberts.

Bitcoin is making waves in the online gambling industry, which was valued at over $50 billion in 2018 and is projected to reach $96 billion by 2024. It’s no wonder why this digital currency is gaining so much traction in that market.

Online casinos are undergoing a huge change due to bitcoin. The best bitcoin casinos UK already surpass the British offline casino industry in terms of capitalization. In this article, we will analyze the best books about bitcoin, cryptocurrencies, bitcoin casino and applications.

Digital Gold

If you are interested in learning about the blockchain technology, then bitcoin is the perfect place to begin your exploration journey. It is regarded as the first virtual currency to use this technology. In his book, “Digital Gold”, The New York Times journalist Nathaniel Popper chronicles the rise of the first ever cryptocurrency. The idea of a decentralized payment system, which initially only appealed to a few people, eventually revolutionized the entire world after it was more deeply understood. They ask questions such as “What is money?”; “Why do they have exactly this form and quality?”; “Isn’t there a better option?”. Most people have minimal knowledge when it comes to money and are typically entirely reliant on the government to manage its use, release and disposal. A novel approach has been developed that eliminates the chances of political interference and misuse of power.

Outline of the new economy

The book “Blockchain” examines financial instruments and cutting-edge technological advances. Melanie Swan, Master of Modern Philosophy at Kingston University, provides a comprehensive overview of the ‘New Economy Scheme’, exploring the different facets of the crypto industry and potential applications of blockchain and Bitcoin cryptocurrency. This book provides an in-depth look into the complexity of the unipolar model of globalization, which bifurcates the world into core and periphery. The author believes blockchain technologies can end political and financial injustice by introducing decentralized cloud functions that were previously regulated by the government. This would bring a system of more fairness to everyone.

The era of cryptocurrencies

“The Age of Cryptocurrency” offers an in-depth look at how digital money has shaped the current world. It explains the reasons for its emergence and dives into the potential of blockchain technology to secure a transparent and secure system. Paul Vigna and Michael Casey of The Wall Street Journal contend that a shift is imminent, not only in the world’s financial structure, but also in most aspects of political and economic life. We should be prepared to face these changes. We are slowly but surely entering the era of “cyber economy” where virtual assets will become the new norm of currency.

Bitcoin for dummies

If you’re completely new to Bitcoins and need a comprehensive overview, then “Bitcoin for Dummies” is the right book for you. It explains why these digital coins are so popular and how they work, in addition to giving readers an idea of the possibilities they open up. Newcomers to the world of crypto investing will find everything they need to know in this resource. It has answers to all the basic questions one might have when starting out. With this course, you will be able to understand what bitcoin is, the process of purchasing it and the safest way to store your digital currency. As cryptocurrencies become more popular, it’s important to be informed on the benefits and risks associated with them. We can provide dummies with essential knowledge regarding digital technologies, protection against intruders, and many other useful information related to cryptocurrency.

How money got free

Brian Patrick Eha, who is the editor of Entrepreneur Magazine, has authored a book titled How Money Got Free, which goes into the details of Bitcoin and its effects on the economy. This research delves into the history of the world’s first cryptocurrency, and introduces you to influential people in the cryptocurrency market. It also sheds light on noteworthy court cases and interesting occurrences within the digital industry. The book describes how billionaires have invested their entire funds into cryptocurrency projects, while enthusiasts develop virtual networks. Bankers are now starting to explore the possibilities of distributed ledger systems, whilst the early adopters of cryptocurrency technology have been outspoken in their resistence against big financial players. “How Money Got Free” is an ideal story for anyone looking to join the blockchain community. It provides a comprehensive overview of the technology, its implications and potential applications.

Internet of money

Andreas Antonopoulos’ publication, “Internet of Money”, dives into his journey as he travels across the globe to gain a comprehensive understanding of digital currency and its economic implications. He showcases his learning throughout the book by explaining the intricacies of virtual money to readers. Andreas Antonopoulos is a well-known supporter of blockchain technology and its associated payment systems. He uses his expertise to give explanations on how these systems work and the importance that cryptocurrency and bitcoin have in contemporary society.

“Internet of Money”examines the wider implications and effects of how money is used in modern society. It encourages people to think more deeply about their financial decisions, while also exposing them to progressive ideas. This is a novel approach to politics, created through the use of custom algorithms. The writer anticipates that soon enough, political organizations will ink deals where the individual’s select their preferred digital currency as the main mode of payment. Although it may have seemed like an unimaginable concept 10 years ago, bitcoin has become much more than just a computer game for many people. The amazing potential of cryptocurrency is now much more widely known and accepted.

Bitcoin is more than money

Alex Fork, Chairman of Blockchain.community, dives into the intricate technical details of decentralized assets in his book “Bitcoin. More than money” . He also examines how anonymity works in this system and talks about mining cryptocurrency as it develops. Cryptocurrency regulation varies due to local laws in different countries. This article covers an overview of these legal aspects, as well as the risks and security associated with distributed networks. This book contains valuable reports from the EU Central Bank and US Treasury Department about Bitcoin, in addition to expert perspectives and accounts of notorious hackers. To make the recommended materials easier to access, the links have been replaced with QR codes. One of the largest online casinos is Bitcasino. In it, you can bet in cryptocurrencies such as BTC, USDT, etc. while playing games. The book describes in detail the history of creation, features, mechanics of Bitcasino games.

Conclusion

Upon reading the books suggested, you will have a better understanding of the outlook and prospects of any cryptocurrency project. You’ll be able to form your own conclusions based on what you read. No matter what the technology is, it’s already showing positive results. This transition has been underway for some time and is now the norm. Blockchain technology has been launched and its effects are felt everywhere, for example in the best bitcoin casinos. It is virtually knocking on every door and making its presence known.

Government agencies, entrepreneurs and financial institutions are all paying close attention to the developments in cryptocurrency and blockchain technology. Blockchain is quickly taking over the world and its potential cannot be ignored. It’s one of the most influential trends of this time, and it won’t be long before everyone feels its effects. Every single one of us has the opportunity to determine where the wheel of history will go next.

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Predictions

When listing the bestsellers of 2023, let’s start with Celeste Ing’s Our Missing Hearts. The same list could include:

1. “All the way to Heaven”, by Hania Yanagihara.
2. “The Colony”, by Audrey Magee.
3. “The Greatest Good”, by Olivia Meining.
4. “What Cassandra Saw”, by Gwen. E. Kirby.
5. “Prozac Nation”, by Elizabeth Wurtzel.
6. “Wholeheartedly”, Camille Deangelis.
7. “Feminist City”, Leslie Kern.

The works on this list are novels and short story collections. In almost every one, readers will find a tangled plot story, as well as references to the past closely intertwined with the present.

Parsing

Celeste Ing’s Our Missing Hearts is a good place to start. The writer is excellent at family dramas and stories where there is a need for subtle, subtle dynamics in the development of an addictive relationship. Hidden within the book is a story of forced orphanhood, of great longing for one’s mother. Her point is that a child’s love can conquer evil. The highlight of this novel lies in its fantastical coloring.

Hanya Yanagihara’s “All the way to Heaven” is a three-part work about the illusory nature of the world around us. What appears to be immutable is actually not. The characters live in three different versions of reality. They share one house, which serves as a place of confinement on the one hand, and a refuge on the other. This is a work about an alternate American story that grows into the reality of the 1990s and then into a dystopian future. The plot description seems a bit confusing, so to get into it – read the book “All the way to Heaven.”

Anyone who is into poetically composed novels should check out Audrey Magee’s “The Colony.” It’s a story about the appropriation of other people’s belongings and the internecine struggles that arise between members of different nations. In this case it is about an artist from Great Britain and a linguist from France. They stay on a small island located in Ireland to see which of them has a good life here. In the finale only one remains.

Olivia Manning’s The Greater Good also deserves attention. The main characters are a married couple in which there is no understanding. The plot at first glance seems simple and banal, but everything is much more complicated. In reality, it is a story about unloved children and what the lack of love in life entails. War and loss of peace are inevitable in such cases.

This novel can be compared to a mini-parable about the coming end of the world, about how children are forced to live in an earthly kingdom spoiled by their parents.

In analyzing the bestsellers of 2023, let us single out the book by Gwen. E. Kirby’s What Cassandra Saw. This is a collection of short stories about women on the brink.

“Prozac Nation” by Elizabeth Wurtzel is an autobiography written by an American journalist and writer. It has even been adapted into a movie, a feature film of the same name was released in 2001. The main role in it was played by Christiana Ritchie. Everyone who follows modern literature has probably heard of Elisabeth Wurtzel. The iconic work was written by her at the age of 27. It took a very long time for the book to reach the domestic reader. In fact, it is a chronicle of depression. It is noteworthy that depression in this work is romanticized on the one hand and demonized on the other. The main character at first wants to sympathize, but then she begins to seem like a monster. This is a story of a man running away from himself, looking for himself. It raises the theme of narcissism.

Camilla Deangelis’ book “Whole and Whole” will interest those who love anything unusual. It is a yang-edalt novel that deals with the theme of growing up and accepting oneself. The main character is motherless at the age of sixteen. She decides to go on a journey in search of her father and the answers to the questions that torment her. And the heroine also shows a taste for cannibalism, and the girl must figure out how to live with it. The book was even adapted, starring Timothy Chalamet and Taylor Russell. The film even won a prize at the Venice Film Festival in 2022.

“Feminist City,” by Canadian writer Leslie Kern, focuses on the urbanism of a new generation. The author argues about inequality and discrimination in society. She tries to say that women, are forced to live in a world that is exclusively comfortable for the stronger sex.

Comparison

There are also quite a few interesting books published in 2022. These include “Plague Nights” by Orach Pamuk, dedicated to the topical theme of the pandemic, and “The Man Who Died Twice,” a work written in the detective genre. And a collection of short stories “In First Person” by the famous Japanese writer Haruki Murakami. Tracking literary trends is a fascinating activity.

In 2023, works on the theme of forbidden love, prose stories and even historical reflection are still trending. Readers’ favorites continue to be works of fiction. Millions of people around the world are reading novels, detectives and thrillers.

Expect a lot from the book world in 2023. How good the books that come out will be decided by the readers. Opinions, as we all know, vary. But one thing is clear, many of the works that will see the light of day in 2023 have a chance of becoming bestsellers. Some of them may be worthy of a screen adaptation, with others it has already happened.

The main thing is the genre diversity, which can satisfy the most demanding lover of literature. New works come out regularly, all that remains is to find those whose plot satisfies individual preferences.

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What are book clubs?

Book clubs refer to communities of readers. They gather to discuss old and new works. In the West, such clubs are more common.

Book clubs are visited primarily for the opportunity to discuss works. Good books can cause a flurry of emotions, and you want to understand why this happens, and what other people think about it. Sometimes discussion makes you change your mind about a particular work. Discussions are started in order to identify the connection between literary techniques and the emotions of readers.

A book club website usually contains detailed information about the terms of membership. In such a community, you can find not only like-minded people, but also opponents. Spend time among interesting interlocutors, voice your thoughts on the books you read, and form a new list. Book communities are the perfect place to learn from the experiences of others.

Discussions can involve not only ordinary people, but also opinion leaders, we are talking about authors, literary reviewers, experts in various fields. This is a good chance to learn more about the work itself, to better understand what is written.

Book clubs are created not only for philologists, but also for ordinary readers. They focus on those who love literature and are not afraid to voice their opinion on what they have read. Such clubs consist of people of different ages and professions. They are united by their interest in literature.

An overview of the history of book clubs

The first book clubs most likely originated when the first literary publications appeared. In ancient times, libraries served as scientific and educational centers. They held discussions about literature and discussed theological and philosophical works.

For a long time collective reading aloud was practiced. Projects of “live reading” still exist today.

Something similar existed in Italy during the Renaissance. In the houses of poets and philosophers talked about literature, discussed science and even read erotic novels. Such gatherings were oriented to a narrow circle of people. Over time, similar communities began to emerge all over Europe. In the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, salons and circles were actively created in France and Germany.

In the 1860s the Literary Fund held public readings, where writers presented their works, and visitors paid to hear them.

In the nineteenth century, lectures and reviews of new works were held in America and European countries. They became especially popular toward the end of the century.

Types of book clubs

An online book club allows you to share opinions about the works you’ve read without even leaving your home. There are also offline communities. Book clubs are usually divided into specialized and universal.

There are associations designed for fans of classical literature, fantasy works and books written in the genre of non-fiction.

Such communities have cultural and social significance. They can be compared to the literary cafes of the Silver Age. In some organizations, which carry out their activities in offline form, it is possible not only to talk with like-minded people, but also to meet the authors of the works and have a cup of tea. At book clubs, creative evenings and meetings with writers can be arranged.

Their attendance is a form of leisure. Live human communication is difficult to replace, but the online format, despite this, is also popular. Its advantage is that club members can be residents of different cities.

Advantages of book club membership

Membership in a book club gives many privileges. And the main one is the opportunity to discuss and analyze works, meet new people and develop skills.

Participation in such a club motivates you to read more and do it regularly, thus broadening your horizons. It’s a great chance to meet new people and discuss your favorite books. People learn to express their own opinions, share experiences and knowledge.

Members of book clubs recommend interesting works to each other. The leader of the community always chooses the next publication for discussion very carefully. Mistakes, of course, occur, but rarely. Club members almost always enjoy such discussions. They enjoy discussing the books they read with lots of people, because everyone has an opinion. Works are sorted out, as they say, “by the bone.

Members of book clubs are almost always intellectuals and people who are pleasant to talk to.

In some clubs membership is paid, in others – free. If your local community has a bookstore, you can often receive discounts on books.

How to choose a book club

When choosing a book club, you need to consider its specifics and your own interests. Be sure to find out whether it is a universal or specialized community. It does not hurt to clarify the date of creation of the club, examine the site, if any, read the reviews of other participants.

Communicating in a book club allows you to learn a lot of new and interesting things, expand your horizons, and have a great time.

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As such, your title needs to pique the interest of your intended readers by giving them a brief overview of the story and tone of your book. It should act as a teaser to keep them curious without spilling the full story. Even if titles aren’t as important as the book’s content, the perfect one will make your book unforgettable.

Unfortunately, coming up with the best book titles is quite a challenge. In this article, we’ve provided tips to help you title your books better.

1. Leverage Book Title Generator Tools 

While book title generator tools can seem like a lazy approach, they can be valuable sources of inspiration for your book title. So, instead of relying on them as the foolproof method for titling your book, you can use them as suggestions. That’s especially since they may generate random titles sometimes.

The good thing about most book title generator tools is that they’re free and offer a wide range of options.

2. What Problem Are You Solving?

Everyone has a problem that they’re looking to solve. So, if your book title promises to help them navigate their challenges, they’ll be intrigued by it. This means that you can develop the perfect book title by clarifying the problem your book hopes to solve.

Ask yourself if your book teaches a valuable skill, solves a problem, or can positively impact your readers’ lives. If yes, let your book title reflect it.

3. Choose a One-Word Title 

Sometimes, the most powerful and compelling book titles are just a word. The good thing is that you can get creative with one-word titles by inventing an intriguing one. It can also be a random word that evokes the kind of emotion you want your readers to have when they pick up your book. 

That’s right; one-word titles may, but they do not have to allude to a specific scene in the book. It may also be the name of the primary character in your book.

4. It Should Be Suitable to the Genre 

Consider the genre you are writing in and choose a title that suits it. For example, a thriller should, by convention, have a different kind of title than a romance novel. In order to give readers a hint as to the type of story your book is about, your book’s title should resemble those of other books in the same genre.

5. Understand the Types of Titles 

There are different types of book titles, and you may ensure that your choice suits a category. For example, you can decide to choose between having a clear, descriptive, symbolic, or distinguished title. However, you should understand their strengths and weaknesses before sticking with one.

While a clear title is easy to choose/remember and straight to the point, it can come off as lazy and vague. On the other hand, descriptive titles convey deep meaning, are more specific and are attractive. Unfortunately, they’re also hard to remember and may contain more detail than you hoped to reveal.

Symbolic tiles, like descriptive ones, carry deep meanings. They’re memorable and unique. However, they aren’t the best choice if your audiences are casual readers.

Finally, distinguished titles are original, best-suited for casual readers, and apply to all genres. Unfortunately, they’re also challenging to create and are usually already popular book titles.

Is the Title Really That Important?

Yes, yes, and yes! In fact, the title is the most important thing in the book, because readers start acquaintances with the book by looking at the title. And if the title is incomprehensible, not attracting attention, or will cause bad associations, then the reader is likely to pass by the book, even if it is a masterpiece.

That is why it is very important to pay attention to the selection of the right title that will arouse readers’ interest. The conclusion suggests itself: a good title is halfway to the book’s success. Follow our tips, which we talked about in this article, and your book will win the hearts of millions of readers.

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Our Days. Caroline Parswell has sacrificed much for the sake of her family, most importantly her career as a researcher. And now, on the eve of her wedding anniversary, she learns of her husband’s infidelity and travels to London to distract herself and recover. Caroline wanders aimlessly through the city, sinking deeper and deeper into her worries. And suddenly an unexpected find: on the banks of the Thames under her feet shone a small antique vial …

Author’s review:
Took to read and somehow from the first lines I was drawn in. Napisano all very dynamic, without any unnecessary preface. The plot of the book is unusual and interesting. The narration is built so that you do not have time to get bored, because it jumps from one heroine to another. Before us are two storylines separated by centuries. Three girls, three destinies that are something similar. The first storyline plunges us into the 18th century. The narrative is conducted on behalf of the two heroines, who by chance ended up together in a difficult situation. The actions of the second storyline takes place in our modern world. The heroine comes to London and fate draws her into a historical investigation. She is trying to unearth the origins of a small bottle that she found on the banks of a river. She has a difficult road ahead of her to unravel the mysteries of the past. All three heroines have somehow been hurt by men, which is probably what the book is based on. It looks at some of the problems faced by girls, girls, women. Cheating, betrayals, harassment, first periods, etc.

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Author’s review:
They were chosen for a special mission
But no one said exactly what the consequences might be of their agreeing to it. Everything was presented in such a way that it was the highest honor and after a certain period of time they would be able to return to their normal lives, so also rich and possibly famous in certain circles.

Well, the point is in the consequences, or rather the risks. No one can know what will happen in advance, but can at least try to anticipate, to weigh. Alas, no one did either.

And so the lucky ones are already in anticipation, they must become living bearers of state secrets, their life is now not just an existence, but an opportunity to be useful to their state and they must try by all means to conform. They have been instructed accordingly, have acquired useful skills, and have immersed themselves in new lives with complete renunciation of past lives.

But at some point, the very notorious consequences begin to surface that no one has ever thought of. And fear creeps into the lives of the bearers, and fear is justified. After all, they are being hunted.

But who is prepared to kill, and more importantly, for what? Is it really worthless human life, is the information classified as top secret is so priceless, are the great minds again miscalculated? But all turns out to be much more prosaic and to some extent predictably banal, and it could well be prevented in advance.

This book in its storyline echoes the author’s previous works, it often mentions moments from the Passengers, and even from The One. And willy-nilly comparing them, I come to the conclusion that The Bearers is still inferior to the first two predecessors, in the plot, in the construction, in the story, in the characters. What it is on par with is the author’s imagination and the futuristic world he has created. But either the speed or the timing, something clearly prevented the full realization of the idea and put it into a really cool story.

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Little Chrissy comes from a very dysfunctional family. She is brought up, if you can call it that, only by her mother, who really doesn’t care so much about the child that she doesn’t even feed her daughter. Chrissy is left to herself, all day long disappearing into the street or visiting peers, trying either to entertain herself or to find something to eat. Therefore, Chrissy’s subconscious envy of the children who are loved, to whom her parents give the best of everything, something Chrissy is deprived of. And little Steven, in fact, is despicable to her because of the way her parents shake on him. By killing him, Chrissy feels almost like a god, especially since no one suspects her guilt.

Years later, spent in a reformatory, Chrissy, now hiding from journalists under the name Julia, has become a mother herself. She’s raising a daughter, Molly. Julia/Crissy tries her best to be a better mother to her, but she fears that she just can’t do it.

The novel evokes dual feelings. On the one hand, it is a portrait of an unwanted, abandoned child, who no one raised, no one loved. And it is not surprising that nothing good came out of little Chrissy, not surprising her envy and dislike of other children, not surprising her antisociality and cruelty.

In a way, it’s a pity for the girl, because she didn’t become like that on her own volition. But since she has never known love or involvement, how else could she have developed such feelings for others?

On the other hand, the author portrays the grown-up Chrissy as a completely changed, well-adjusted person. She loves her daughter, she realizes the gravity of her crimes, she is practically a different person. Which begs the question, is it realistic? It’s hard to say, and that’s why it was hard for me to make up my mind about the heroine.

Chrissy, as a neglected and therefore embittered child, was pitiful, but her cold-blooded murder of a child undid everything. At the time Chrissy was thrilled with what she had done, which eventually made her reconsider her behavior, given that she had simply been locked up and not really raised in the reformatory. Can a child who didn’t know love, affection, and care as a child become an adult have those feelings for someone? I do not know, the case here, of course, individually, but too rosy picture turned out in the final of the book. Still, it was very interesting to read, and food for thought the book gave not a little, so that it is definitely worth reading.

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Lowen Ashley is a struggling writer who is on the verge of financial ruin when she accepts an offer for the job of a lifetime. Jeremy Crawford, husband of bestselling author Verity Crawford, has hired Lowen to complete the remaining books of a successful series that his wounded wife cannot finish.

Lowen arrives at the Crawford house, ready to sort through Verity’s years of notes and sketches , hoping to find enough material to begin. What Lowen does not expect to find in the chaotic office is Verity’s unfinished autobiography, which Verity never intended for anyone to read. Page after page of chilling confessions, including Verity’s memories of the night her family changed forever.

Lowen decides to hide the manuscript from Jeremy, knowing that its contents could devastate an already grieving father. But as Lowen’s feelings for Jeremy begin to intensify, she realizes all the ways she could benefit if he read his wife’s words. In the end, no matter how devoted Jeremy is to his wounded wife, this horrifying truth will rob him of his ability to continue loving her.

This discussion guide and recommended literature have been distributed and sponsored in cooperation with Grand Central Publishing.

Discussion Questions
Use these discussion questions to guide your next book club meeting.

The novel begins with a sudden death that Lowen witnesses. Why do you think the author chose to begin the novel this way? What did this scene portend in terms of the fragility of life and how did the man’s demise contrast with the lingering in-between state in which Verity finds herself as a character?

Loewen likes living in New York because she feels invisible in the huge city: “The state of my life doesn’t matter in a place this size. There are a lot more people here with stories far more pathetic than mine.” Did you find yourself connected to Lowen at this point? Or were you surprised by the candor with which she compared her circumstances to those of others? Do you agree with Loewen when she says that people who have gone through great hardship often seek out people who are “worse off” in order to feel better about themselves?

Lowen feels an immediate kinship with Jeremy when she helps her on the street: “Most people come to New York to be discovered. The rest of us are hiding. What went through your mind as you read this? Did you think at that moment that Jeremy had something to hide? What, after all, was Jeremy’s biggest secret?

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