Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell

Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell is the official February 2015 pick for the Peanut Blossom Book Club for Recovering Readers.

Welcome to our February Book Club discussion!

This month's pick was Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell.

I selected this book for our group to discuss based on the recommendation of several friends who listed it as part of their top reads of last year.

I enjoy YA as a genre but had never heard of this one before. On the surface, it sounded like a cute lighthearted read about two kids in high school.

Little did I know how truly moving the story would be.

I've been married for nearly 14 years and didn't realize I had forgotten what new love feels like until I read this book.

I think Rainbow captured those early days of a new relationship perfectly but more importantly she made me feel those new love tingles all over again.

Thanks to the members of our group for suggesting some of the questions for our discussion.

Peanut Blossom Book Club

This book club pick is one of the awesome books from our first year of book club.

We're still going strong! Want to join us?

You can get all the details on the club here:

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What Is Eleanor & Park About?

"Bono met his wife in high school, Park says.
So did Jerry Lee Lewis, Eleanor answers.

I'm not kidding, he says.
You should be, she says, we're 16.

What about Romeo and Juliet?
Shallow, confused, then dead.

I love you, Park says.
Wherefore art thou, Eleanor answers.

I'm not kidding, he says.
You should be.

Set over the course of one school year in 1986, this is the story of two star-crossed misfits-smart enough to know that first love almost never lasts, but brave and desperate enough to try.

When Eleanor meets Park, you'll remember your own first love-and just how hard it pulled you under."

Eleanor & Park Book Club Discussion 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:

Is "Eleanor and Park" a book you would have picked up on your own? What was your initial reaction to a YA pick for our discussion? Do you feel differently now that you've read it?

See the discussion here.

Question 2:

{LOVE} Eleanor says she and Park are too young for true love. Do you believe that? Do you think Eleanor believes that?

See the discussion here.

Question 3:

{FRIENDSHIP} There are several different friendship relationships featured in "Eleanor and Park." Are Steve and Tina good guys or bad guys in the story? Do you think Eleanor and Tina could ever be friends? Would you have been Eleanor's friend in high school?

See the discussion here.

Question 4:

{PARENTING} How do Eleanor and Park's parents shape their outlook on relationships and the future? Do you ever consider how your actions affect your children's future relationships?

See the discussion here.

Question 5:

{DATING} Eleanor doesn't leave a good first impression with Park's mom. Why does Park's mother eventually change her mind about Eleanor?

See the discussion here.

Question 6:

{FAMILY} How is Park's relationship with his mother different from his relationship with his father? Who sees Park more clearly, his father or his mother?

See the discussion here.

Question 7:

{TECHNOLOGY} How would Eleanor and Park's relationship be different in 2013? How would cell phones, digital music, and Internet access change their situation? For those of you with older children, can you give us examples of how your children use these gadgets in the dating world?

See the discussion here.

Question 8:

{MOTHERS} Is Eleanor's mother a good mother? Why does she stay with Richie?

See the discussion here.

Question 9:

Why doesn't Eleanor open Park's letters? Would you have opened them?

See the discussion here.

Question 10:

What do you think the postcard from Eleanor says? What do you think it means that she sent it?

See the discussion here.

Question 11:

Do you think that Eleanor and Park have a happy ending?

See the discussion here.

Question 12:

Eleanor and Park is going to be made into a movie! What song do you think should be on the soundtrack and why? -- question from book club member Kelly

See the discussion here.

Question 13:

In the Eleanor and Park movie, who would you cast for the main roles??

See the discussion here.

When hosting a book club party where your book pick for the month is a YA book about teens, wouldn't it be fun to serve up your favorite party snacks from when you were that age??

Serve a soda bar (with or without the adult beverages for spiking them!) and savory taco dip and Chex mix.

For a special treat, stick to popcorn or Oreo cookies and cream bars!

Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell

Peanut Blossom Book Club

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What Is Eleanor & Park About?