ICE Breakers
BECOMING
Book Of The MOMENT
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How much or little did you know of Michelle Obama before reading Becoming and how did this affect your opinions of her story? And did it change your opinion of Barrack Obama?
Were you surprised at the honesty and the sensitivity of some of the insights she shared? How did this make you feel towards her?
What makes Michelle's story relevant to working parents and how does she make it empowering?
Before this, were you aware of the levels of security and restrictions on the President and his family and what impact they have on leading a normal life?
Chicago currently has one of the highest gun crime and fatalities from guns in the whole of America – Michelle Obama has obviously campaigned very hard in her home town - how do you think this makes her feel? Do you think her efforts have made a difference?
Michelle Obama was able to surround herself throughout her career with strong female mentors who were very loyal – how do you think she was able to do this and do you think this is part of the reason she now wants to mentor so many young people herself?
In the epilogue Michelle Obama sums up her idea of 'becoming' - do you agree with this analysis? Do you think it is a good name for the book?
For Obama fans in your group, how does this compare to Barack's recent memoir 'A Promised Land'?
A SPOOL OF BLUE THREAD
MISSED OPPORTUNITY
At the start of the novel, Abby Whitshank is a strong matriach until her story is unravelled by others. How did your opinions change about her? Was this a surprise?
Who was your favourite character and why?
The Baltimore house is a strong anchor for the novel. How does it compare to your own roots and home?
Did the Whitshank’s relationship with the house hinder or enhance family life? Could they have had a better life somewhere else?
All families have secrets. What secrets surprised you the most in this novel?
Anne Tyler suggested this was going to be her last novel (though it clearly isn’t as several have followed A Spool of Blue Thread including Redhead by the Side of the Road). Is this significant to the novel’s narrative and form?
THE TIN MAN
THE WILD CARD
Some of the Den were gripped by the storyline of The Tin Man but thought the book lacked a certain finesse - do you agree?
What did you think of the character Michael and his survival instincts?
This book is self-published. Do you think a publisher would enhance the book?
This book clearly pushes family ties to the limits which sometimes is very disturbing - how did this make you feel?
How do you think T S Harvey maintains our emotional hold so well?
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