Summer Blowout
Summer Blowout Conversation Starters
1. Which character in Summer Blowout did you most identify with, and why? How much do you think Claire Cook's first person narration influenced your choice?
2. What needs are driving the affair between Sophia and Craig? (Okay, besides lust.)
3. Do you think it's harder or easier to forgive a family member for a big betrayal than it is a friend? How do the rules of family and friendship differ?
4. How important is it in our contemporary lives to remain connected to our families?
5. Have you ever seen “PITA” written in the appointment book at YOUR hair salon? Has reading Summer Blowout made you more observant while you're getting your own cut and blow dry?
6. Do you know a guy with a comb-over like Lucky's? (Other than The Donald, of course.)
7. How have escalating property taxes and changes in building trends and codes affected your community?
8. How do you think the perceptions of Northerners by Southerners, and vice versa, are true and not true? And if you don't live in either geographical location, how do the people in your neck of the woods perceive both regions?
9. Even though he's of Irish decent, Lucky Shaughessy, the father in Summer Blowout, is a huge Italiophile. Do you think it's common for someone of one ethnicity to think another culture is more glamorous?
10. What's your favorite shade of lipstick? Do you think it's possible to have an actual lipstick addiction?
11. How worried were you about the fate of Precious/Cannoli? Why do you think Bella fell so hard for the little pooch? Do you believe in canine love at first sight?
12. Sean Ryan gives Bella the business idea of a lifetime. If you had to start a business tomorrow, what would it be? What's stopping you?
13. Which scenes in Summer Blowout made you laugh the hardest? Brought a tear to your eye? Could have happened in your family?
Did your book club/book group/reading group come up with an even better discussion question? Did you take some great photos at your Summer Blowout discussion? Email them to Claire@ClaireCook.com, and Claire will post them on her website. And go to EveryWomansVoice.com to schedule a phone chat with Claire for your group.
