Talking About Books

Have you ever wondered how to continue a book (or movie) discussion beyond "it was good" or "I really liked it?" Try using one of these questions when you just want to know more. 

CHARACTERS How we feel about characters often impacts our perspective of a story. If you want more information about the characters, try one of these questions.

Do you find the characters believable? Why or why not?

Why do you like or dislike a character?

Who in the book would you like to meet? What would you ask or say?

How does the main character grow or change throughout the story?

If you were going to turn this novel into a movie, who would you cast for the main characters?

If you could insert yourself as a character in the story, what role would you play and why?

How has your opinion of the characters changed over the course of the story?

If you could spend the day with any character, who would it be and what would you do?

PLOT & SETTING Sometimes the story action and the places it takes place feels like the most important part of a book or movie. If you want more details about the plot or setting, try one of these questions.

Is the plot believable? Why or why not?

What is the major conflict in the story?

What is your favorite scene in the story and why?

Think about the setting of the novel. Are there any places in the story you would like to visit?

What do you find more fascinating about the story, the plot or the characters? Why?

GENERAL Storytellers have their own reasons for creating stories and they understand that a reader will use their own experiences to interpret the story. Uncover some of those connections by asking these questions.

Does the book remind you of your own life - an event, a person like a friend or family member?

If you could ask the author one question, what would it be?

What life lesson is presented in this story?

Why do you think the author wrote this book?

What is the significance of the novel's title?

If you could change the book's title, what would it be and why?

How has this story changed the way you perceive your world?