Book Club Kit for Close Enough to Touch by Colleen Oakley includes book club discussion guide and party menu.
I can't quite put my finger on what drew me to the next book pick for our book club but I am fascinated by the idea that someone would be allergic to human touch.
What does that mean in day-to-day reality?
What crazy challenges would someone like that face?
As a natural born hugger, I can't even fathom it.
I'm excited to announce our April book club pick:
Close Enough to Touch by Colleen Oakley.
Peanut Blossom Book Club
This book was our official April 2018 pick for the Peanut Blossom Book Club.
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What is Close Enough to Touch About?
"A “heart-wrenching and humorous” (Publishers Weekly) love story for anyone who’s ever wanted something—or someone—just out of reach, Colleen Oakley’s Close Enough to Touch will delight fans of Jojo Moyes’s One Plus One and Graeme Simsion’s The Rosie Project."
It definitely didn't hurt the book's chances of getting picked to have it related to two of the books that come recommended over and over again by our group members.
I know how much y'all have loved The Rosie Project and I ADORED One Plus One.
"Can you miss something you never had?
Jubilee Jenkins is no ordinary librarian. With a rare allergy to human touch, any skin-to-skin contact could literally kill her. But after retreating into solitude for nearly ten years, Jubilee’s decided to brave the world again, despite the risks. Armed with a pair of gloves, long sleeves, and her trusty bicycle, she finally ventures out the front door—and into her future.
Eric Keegan has troubles of his own. With his daughter from a failed marriage no longer speaking to him, and his brilliant, if psychologically troubled, adopted son attempting telekinesis, Eric’s struggling to figure out how his life got so off course, and how to be the dad—and man—he wants so desperately to be. So when an encounter over the check-out desk at the local library entangles his life with that of a beautiful—albeit eccentric—woman, he finds himself wanting nothing more than to be near her."
And then go grab a copy of Close Enough to Touch so you can join us for our book club discussion next month!
Close Enough to Touch Book Club Questions
I believe the best book club questions to spark a lively discussion in your group help readers make personal connections to the story.
You can read about how to write the best book club questions on your own here, but hopefully these will get you started!
Question 1:
What did you think of this month's book? Is it something you would have picked up on your own?
Question 2:
Eric spends a good portion of the story reading books reviewed in his teenage daughter's journal.
What was your favorite book as a teenager?
Can you imagine your dad reading it? What would he have said about it?
Question 3:
Comparisons have been made between Close Enough to Touch and Everything, Everything.
The difference between them is that Jubilee can go out in public, she just can't touch people while Madeline with no immune system can't be around any germs so is stuck permanently inside her house.
Which scenario do you think would be harder:
Being ABLE to go out but feeling distanced from people around you or not being able to go out at all?
Question 4:
Jubilee sequesters herself inside her home for 9 years and devours books to pass the time.
How would you keep busy if you lived all alone for that length of time?
Question 5:
Eric's sister accuses him of only being attracted to unavailable women.
Is that the case with his interest in Jubilee or do you think more was at play there?
Question 6:
Madison may have started their friendship with ulterior motives, but do you think the relationship was beneficial to Jubilee in the long run?
Question 7:
Why do you think Jubilee is the only adult who can get through to Aja?
What made their connection so strong?
Question 8:
Jubilee initially doesn't want to try the possible treatment for her allergy because of the long timeline it would take to get results.
Were you able to relate to this hesitation?
Did it feel like something someone in her shoes would do?
Would you have felt the same?
Question 9:
What did you think of how the book ended?
**SPOILER ALERT**
Do you think that Jubilee and Eric stay together or was it a single moment connection? Were you happy with the ending?
Book Club Party Menu
For the book club party menu, play off the book title and serve a bunch of easy to nibble finger foods!
Friends will love munching on the tasty snacks from this easy cheddar board.
Or make bite sized finger sandwiches like my roast beef crostini or even savory taco bites.
Deviled eggs are always a fun pick-up appetizer and will be gone in a flash!
You May Also Enjoy
If you enjoyed this book, you'd likely enjoy these other fun book club picks from through the years:
[…] case you missed it, this month we are reading Close Enough to Touch. I just scheduled our party for Thursday, April 26 at 8:30 pm EST. You can RSVP for our party […]