Laura Miller

Discussion Questions: The Dream

4/9/2019

READING GROUP GUIDE
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
The Dream

In the prologue, the narrator, Daisy, speaks about The Law of Our Firsts? Do you believe this law to be true?
If you were Everton, would you have heeded Daisy’s father’s warning and stayed away from Daisy altogether?
What did you think of the relationship between Daisy and her sisters? Can you relate?
If you were Everton, would you have “stayed in the truck”? If you were Daisy, would you have fought more for a relationship with Everton? Could they have made it?
What were your thoughts in Chapter 13 when Daisy sees Everton again after six years?
If you were Daisy, would you have continued to visit Everton in his office?
In the wedding chapter (Chapter 21), who do you believe Daisy is watching from her church pew in the back row? Whose wedding is she attending?
Do you believe Thomas Jefferson got it right? Do you believe that as we grow older, we love those most whom we loved first?
Do you agree with Daisy or do you believe there is a distinction between being in love and loving someone?
Did you catch on to the twist before it was revealed? If so, what tipped you off?
Looking back on The Dream, are there parts that pointed to the twist?
Do you believe that Daisy and Everton are happy in their current lives?
Do you see The Dream as having a happy ending?

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: The Life We Almost Had

9/27/2017

READING GROUP GUIDE
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
The Life We Almost Had

In the prologue, we get a description of Sweet Home. What is your first impression of the small town?
When Berlin first sees Iva again after seven years, he’s nervous. Do you think it’s possible to still have the same feelings for someone after so many years?
We don’t know that Iva is leaving for New Zealand when she stumbles upon Berlin again, but she does. Does this fact make her hesitations more reasonable? Would you have been hesitant to start anything with Berlin?
Iva’s father isn’t too keen on Berlin. Can you see his side?
When Berlin takes Iva to the lighthouse on the bluff in Channing, he says he likes to believe it’s Mr. Keeper’s lighthouse. Why do you think this is? Why do you think he has a sentimental connection to Sweet Home?
When Berlin asks Iva to stay and make a life with him, Iva agrees. Would you have made the same decision? Would you have agreed so quickly?
When Berlin proposes to Iva, he also tells Iva her mom’s story about her first love. How does Iva’s mother's life parallel Iva’s life?
When Iva and Berlin tell Iva’s parents that she is planning on moving to Channing with Berlin, Iva says that her father was swayed by the fact that Berlin looks a different way now. What part does appearance play in Berlin and Iva’s father’s relationship? Do you think living in a small town affects her father’s perception of Berlin?
Was Berlin trouble for Iva in his youth or was he just being young?
How does Iva cope with giving up/postponing her dream after she moves to Channing? How would you have dealt with it? Did she finally make the right decision in going to New Zealand?
Did Iva and Berlin try hard enough to make their relationship work after Iva moved to New Zealand? Did Iva give up too fast? Did Berlin? And did they ever really give up?
When Iva sees Berlin at Natalie and Isaac’s engagement party, she questions Berlin about his tattoo. What is the meaning behind the inked word on his arm? What does this say about their relationship?
What do you think it means that Iva chose the art pieces that she did to give to Berlin?
We learn that Berlin had bought a ticket to New Zealand? Would you have done the same—knowing Iva was already engaged?
When Berlin is looking at the painting that Iva gave him, he is thinking about not having to look back on the life he and Iva almost had. Do you think that our paths in life are that close—that one decision can change everything? Or do you believe (like Iva) that it all ends the way it was intended?
Iva tells Berlin that she couldn’t marry Adam. What do you think changed her mind?
Do you believe that second chances, when it comes to love, are all they’re cracked up to be?
In the epilogue, Iva says that she is finally home. What do you think she means by this?

Discussion Questions: When Cicadas Cry

5/15/2017

READING GROUP GUIDE
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
When Cicadas Cry

At first, Rem only reads a few chapters of Ashley’s book. If you knew a book was about you, would you read it entirely?
Rem tells Ashley the story about the cicadas and how they know immortality, yet not eternal youth. Which would you take, if you could: immortality or eternal youth (minus the immortality part) or neither?
Rem knows why Ashley left town, but he doesn’t tell anyone. Could you have kept that a secret, with all the rumors flying around the small town?
When Rem finds out Ashley’s connection to Owen, he’s angry that Ashley had even come to Ava knowing what she knew. Was he justified in his thoughts and actions?
Should Ashley have mentioned to Rem her connection to Owen sooner?
Rem sights his loyalty to his brother for not continuing to see Ashley? Is this reasonable?
Ashley abruptly leaves town after Rem says that he no longer loves her. Is she justified in doing this? Would you have wanted to get out of town after what had happened?
Rem sees Ashley’s words--there are just some things in this world you don’t take for granted. And that’s one of them—as a sign from his brother. Do you think he needed something like this to feel okay about seeing Ashley again? And why do you think that is?
In the epilogue, Ashley says that it’s not one moment that shapes an entire life, but a series of moments—one on top of the other. How do you interpret this statement?

Discussion Questions: A Bird on a Windowsill

5/15/2017

READING GROUP GUIDE
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
A Bird on a Windowsill

Were you surprised that Savannah had a boyfriend the first time she came back from South Carolina? Did you feel for Salem (Eben)?
What is your impression of Savannah’s Uncle Lester? What do you think about Lester’s relationship with Olivia?
Do you think Savannah was justified in pushing back her feelings for Salem while she lived in South Carolina? Would you have done the same?
What are your thoughts about Jake? Do you think he and Savannah make a good couple?
After Salem gets the safe open he tells Savannah that he thinks he’s in love with her. Was Savannah justified in thinking that Salem might be jealous? Knowing that he was still with Anna, would you have turned Salem down then?
In Salem's letter to Savannah that he gives her near the end of the novel, he rewrites his time with her. Are there moments where you would rewrite time, if you could?
What were your thoughts when Salem told Savannah that he was going to ask Anna to marry him? Do you think that this was too soon after he had confessed his love for Savannah? Would you have said more to him at that time, if you were Savannah?
How does Olivia and Lester’s relationship parallel Savannah and Salem’s? In the end, how did Olivia and Lester’s relationship affect Savannah and Salem’s?
When Savannah tells Jake that she is in love with Salem, Jake seems to already know. Why do you think this is? Do you feel for Jake?
When Savannah goes to Iowa to find Salem, she finds him in the lumberyard with Anna. Would you have reacted how Savannah did or would you have stayed and talked to Salem?
Were you surprised at what Salem was building on Sheppard’s Hill or did you suspect this all along?
Several times throughout the story, Savannah comments about wishing she had seen Salem's love for her sooner. Do you think she should have seen this sooner or do you think Salem and Savannah needed to take this journey to realize their love for one another? How many times have you not realized your love for someone?
In the epilogue, Savannah says: Love never leaves us. We just have to choose it. Do you agree with her statement? Do you believe that we have to choose love?

Discussion Questions: My Butterfly

5/13/2017

READING GROUP GUIDE
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
MY BUTTERFLY

My Butterfly is told from Will’s perspective. If you’ve read Butterfly Weeds, how does the story differ from Julia’s perspective? Do you prefer the male or female voice?
When Will has to leave for a fire call while Julia is back from college, she’s disappointed. Are her feelings justified? How does Will's new job affect their relationship?
Will is in the hospital after his fall, and Julia whispers: I can’t do this. What do you think she is referring to? Is it reasonable for her to feel this way, especially knowing what we later find out about her father’s first profession?
Did Will fight enough for Julia during their break-up? Was Julia too quick to let Will go?
Jeff convinces Will that if he takes Jessica to the New Year’s Eve party that Julia will be jealous and fall back in love with him. What do you think of Jeff’s scheme? Why do you think Will bought it?
What do you think of Jessica? Is she good for Will? Do you feel for her?
Jeff says to Will after Julia goes to college that she might never come back to him. What part does Julia being in college play in her and Will's relationship? Do you think Julia is struggling with balancing her old and new worlds?
Will’s fire chief says: Sometimes, you just have to let go. She’ll come back, when she’s ready. Do you think this is good advice?
The fire chief also says: Happiness is like a butterfly. The more you chase it, the more it will elude you. But if you turn your attention to other things, it will come and sit on your shoulder. Do you believe this is true?
What part did Julia play in Will eventually contacting the agent? Have you ever done anything for a boy/girl?
Will seems to immediately turn away every girl. Do you think his love for Julia is why he does this? Do you think it’s possible to love someone for years from a distance, especially at such a young age?
When Rachel tells Will that Julia broke off her engagement, she also tells Will to give Julia time. Do you think he gave her too much time? Would you have contacted her sooner?
We learn that Will is planning on proposing to Julia at his concert. But he hasn’t seen her in awhile. Is this a crazy idea? Or is this what he needed to do?
We later learn that Jeff and Jessica are dating. Did you see this coming? Do they seem as if they're a good couple?
Will says in the epilogue that life is all about finding any way to get to the one you love. Do you think Will could have found his way to Julia faster and saved himself some grief? Or do you think his journey was necessary?
In the epilogue, Will also says that somewhere in the course of life, children struggles morph into adult ones, and the pain becomes too deeply rooted for a hug or a word to cure anymore. Do you agree with this?
Also in the epilogue, Julia says that her and Will’s story is full of stumbles, tear and smiles and holding on and refusing to let go. It’s the best kind of fairy tale. Do you believe that these are the characteristics of every fairy tale?

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: For All You Have Left

5/13/2017

READING GROUP GUIDE
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
For All You Have Left

Logan falls in love at a young age. Do you think it’s possible to know a lasting love so young? Do you believe that her and Andrew’s love was real?
Why do you feel as though Logan doesn’t go by her first name? How do you think she handles losing Andrew?
Do you think Hannah is too pushy in trying to get Ada (Logan) to move on? What part does grief play in this story?
What is your first impression of Jorgen? If you were Ada, would you have resisted him for so long?
Who did you think Amsel was? Did you suspect his identity? What do you think of Ada and his relationship?
Ada has a dream where she talks to Andrew. Do you ever have dreams that seem as real? How do you think the dream affects Ada’s real life?
What do you think Ada taking off Andrew’s shirt and putting on Jorgen’s shirt symbolizes for her?
Ada tries to tell Jorgen about her marriage to Andrew, but Hannah walks in, and Ada stops talking. Do you think Ada should have told Jorgen about her marriage to Andrew sooner? What would you have done?
Ada says that she decided to be a writer while staring at the quote by Shakespeare that says: There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so. Do you agree with this quote?
When Jorgen runs into Ada and James Amsel having coffee, do you think Jorgen overreacts?
Near the end of the novel, Ada goes to Andrew’s grave. She says there that she will always love him. Do you think it’s possible to love more than one person at the same time?
In the epilogue, Ada talks about a first love and a true love. Do you think there’s a difference between your first love and your true love?

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: By Way of Accident

5/13/2017

READING GROUP GUIDE
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
By Way of Accident

River seems to fall head over heels for Brooke when he first meets her at the creek. Do you think it’s possible to fall in love so quickly or do you think River’s age played a part in it?
What are your first impressions of Brooke?
Brooke says that eventually everyone gets used to pretty. Do you think this is true?
Why do you believe River held onto Brooke? Do you think it’s possible to hold onto someone for years, without contact?
What do you think of River’s relationship with Amy?
River asks Amy what she thinks she’ll miss about life when she dies. Amy says he shouldn’t think about things like that. Do you think Brooke’s free spirit helped to shape River’s thoughts? Do you think our first loves somehow help to shape our thoughts on love, life?
River sets out to find Brooke after he receives her lost letter. Would you have done the same?
When River sees Brooke with another guy, he leaves without talking to her. Why do you think he does this?
Were you surprised that it was Amy who showed up to see River at the coffee bar? Were you expecting Brooke? Do you think it's reasonable for River to have considered taking Amy back?
Did you suspect that River was bidding against Brooke for Mrs. Catcher's house? Why do you think Brooke bought the house?
Near the end of the novel, Brooke recites a quote by F. Scott Fitzgerald that says: There are all kinds of love in this world but never the same love twice? Do you think this is true?
What role do you think fate plays in this story? Do you believe that River and Brooke were meant to find each other again or do you think it was purely a lucky coincidence?
In the epilogue, River says: There are no accident, but instead, only things we cannot see, only hidden memories--later disguised and made to look as if they merely came to us...by way of accident. How do you interpret this quote? Do you believe it to be true?

Discussion Questions: Butterfly Weeds

4/30/2017

READING GROUP GUIDE
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
BUTTERFLY WEEDS

Julia and Will are each other’s first loves. Do you think that this affects how they interact with each other throughout the story? Do you think that your first love is more impactful than some other loves? Why?
Julia and Will have their first “big” fight when Julia tells Will that she is thinking about moving away for college. Do you feel for Will or do you think he might have over-reacted?
During Will and Julia’s senior year of high school, Will discovers that he wants to pursue firefighting. What are Julia’s hesitations? Are they justified?
In Julia’s freshman year of college, she and Will break up. Do you believe that Julia’s thoughts are reasonable? How much do you think the distance or change of environments played into the outcome? Do you think that Will’s demanding job played a part?
At the New Year’s Eve party, Julia sees Will with another girl. It had been two months since she had last seen him. Would you have shown up to the party with someone else? Was it too soon?
After Julia graduates from college, she is urged by Will’s aunt to visit Will. She does. What do you think of this reunion? Will still seems to have feelings for Julia. Do you think it’s possible to still be in love with someone, even if you haven’t seen them in years?
What does Julia see in Brady? Why is she drawn to him more than she’s pulled to Will?
On a Saturday morning, Julia sees Will singing on the television? Do you believe it’s possible that she could have somehow missed his rise to fame? Is it believable that a country singer could have “overnight” success, like Will seemingly did?
Why do Julia and Will call each other every year on their birthdays? Do you think it’s possible for two people, after having dated, to be friends?
When Brady proposes to Julia, Julia seems a little shaken. Why do you think she feels this way? Is she justified in her response? Should she have been prepared? Why do you think she wasn’t?
After Julia gets engaged, she goes back to her hometown for a visit and sees Will at an old hangout. While they dance, Will starts to say that he had been doing some thinking. What do you think he was going to say? Do you think there was more Will could have done to get Julia back before she got engaged to Brady?
Why do you think Julia breaks off her engagement with Brady? Do you think it’s possible to commit to an engagement and then realize the two of you are not as similar as you once thought? Do you think Julia and Brady were ever compatible?
When Julia is in South Carolina, she discovers the lyrics to the song Will had sung to her years ago. What would be your response if you heard “your” lyrics? Would you think the lyrics still held any meaning years later?
During the concert in New Milford, Will sings a song for Julia, and afterward, Julia gets in her car and starts driving. What would have been your reaction to his song?
After the concert, Will finds Julia and confesses his love to her. Do you think he has waited too long to tell her? Do you think Julia was justified in believing that Will had not “fought” for her? Would you have let Will walk away that night?
Julia is on her way back to South Carolina. What do you think ultimately made her change her mind and turn around? What had changed in her?
How do you interpret the novel’s ending? Did Julia and Will make the right choices, in the end? Could they have made the road easier for themselves or do you think their path was just a part of life? And how do you imagine the life that Will and Julia had?

*Discover more about Will and Julia’s story in My Butterfly.