PSA: I bought a $50 'discussion guide' for our book club and it was a total dud

Our group was reading a pretty dense historical novel last fall, and I thought a professional guide would spark a better talk. I found one online for fifty bucks, promising 'deep analysis and thought-provoking questions.' When it arrived, it was just ten pages of basic plot summary and questions like 'did you like the main character?' We could have written that ourselves in five minutes. It felt like such a waste, especially since we usually have great chats just from people sharing their own thoughts. I remember when we'd just show up with a few notes scribbled in the margins and have the best debates. Now I'm stuck looking at this overpriced pamphlet on my shelf. Has anyone found a good, free source for actual discussion questions that aren't just obvious?

3 comments

3 Comments

paige_martin2mo agoMost Upvoted

Honestly, what did you expect for fifty bucks? Those premade guides are almost always generic. My group just picks one theme, like power or betrayal in that book, and we all bring one real question about it. That costs nothing and the talk is way better.

the_sam21d ago

Right, fifty bucks for a book club guide that's basically just "So, did you like the main character?" is like paying for a fancy steak dinner and getting a microwaved hot dog. At that price, I'd expect it to come with a small apology and maybe a coupon for a better guide. Your method is way smarter. My group tried one of those paid ones once. The first question was literally "What color do you associate with this chapter?" and we spent the next twenty minutes just arguing about whether it was more of a "muted blue" or a "sad grey.

troy_ross2mo ago

Ouch, fifty dollars for a pamphlet that asks if you liked the guy? That's like paying for a personal trainer who just tells you to try moving around more. My book club's guide budget is a cold beer and whatever weird thought I had in the shower that morning.