Book Club Kit for Me Before You by Jojo Moyes includes a book club discussion guide and party menu.
This month I’m pleased to welcome you to the discussion for Me Before You by Jojo Moyes.
Many members of our group spent last year raving about this book time and time again.
It was always mentioned as a top favorite for an in-between book while everyone waited for our next discussion.
Knowing that Me Before You is being made into a movie early this year, I thought it would be a fun pick to launch our new year.
Then I actually read Me Before You.
One of the main rules for our book club is: NO Tearjerkers.
I'm so sorry you guys. I failed you with this one. It takes a lot to make me cry these days, but this one had me gasping for air by the end of it.
I feel like it was absolutely worth it though. This is one of the more life-affirming stories I may have ever read.
Jojo Moyes is brilliant with her character development and unpredictable plot twists.
I truly wasn't sure what would happen in the end until it did and I was sad to close the cover and say goodbye to Louisa and Will.
Peanut Blossom Book Club
This book was our official January 2016 pick for the Peanut Blossom Book Club.
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Me Before You 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 our book? Had you heard of it before our book club?
Was it something you would have picked up for yourself or no?
Question 2:
If you were Louisa, would you have taken the job with the Traynors in the first place?
If you had, would you have kept it for the duration of the assignment or is there a point at which you might have quit?
Question 3:
What do you think of Will's outlook after his accident? Can you relate to him or do you think you would have reacted differently?
Question 4:
Louisa often finds Mrs. Traynor to be cold and judgmental. If Will was your child, how would you react to his situation and his decision?
Question 5:
Louisa comes up with some clever activities for her to do with Will during their time together.
What things would you schedule if money wasn't an issue but you had to stay within an hour's radius of where you live?
Feel free to tag or link to any big hotspots you'd like to share from where you live.
Question 6:
Louisa has an incredible trip planned for Will before his health scare gets in the way.
If you were going to plan a trip of a lifetime and money wasn't an issue, where would you go?
Feel free to tag, link, or add photos of your dream destination.
Question 7:
Before reading Me Before You, I was completely unaware of some of the more difficult challenges of being a quadriplegic.
What was the most eye-opening thing for you regarding Will's challenges?
Question 8:
One of the most romantic moments for me in the book is when Will gives Louisa the custom bee stockings he had made for her.
My husband was utterly confused why a woman would swoon over something like that.
What is the most thoughtful gift you have ever received?
Question 9:
In the back of the book there is a short interview with author Jojo Moyes.
One of the questions is whether an author can truly capture elements of the human condition if she has not had children herself.
I found her answer fascinating but what do you think?: Can a writer who has not had children accurately portray motherhood?
Question 10:
*** SPOILER ALERT!! ***
Purposely phrasing this carefully, do not read comments if you haven't finished the book . . .
Did Will's story end the way you expected it to? Would you have changed anything?
Question 11:
*** SPOILER ALERT!! ***
Phrasing this carefully, don't read the comments if you haven't finished the book.
I personally thought the novel ended in the perfect place in Louisa's story (even if I wanted a different outcome.)
It is hard for me to imagine a sequel but I did pick it up this week to see what happens next.
Without discussing anything you might know about the sequel . . .
Where does Louisa go from here??
Question 12:
Nitty gritty details of the plot aside, I feel like the biggest takeaway I'm left with from our book this month is to "Live life to it's fullest!"
It is one of the most life-affirming stories I have ever read and a perfect book for January as everyone is reflecting on how they want to make the most of their new year.
What is one thing you want to do in the new year to make sure you are living your happiest/fullest life?
Book Club Party Menu
For a book club party menu in January, consider offering a variety of appetizers that are either low carb or meatless since your friends may be trying new resolutions:
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If you enjoyed this book, you'd likely enjoy these other fun book club picks from through the years:
Britney Wain
I was very upset with the ending I really hoped for love to prevail over selfishness. My problem with physician aided death is one of religious and moral concerns. I know most people are no longer religious and will refuse to hear about the legitimate beliefs of Christianity. So moving on to the moral and ethical aspects this is only an option for the wealthy. As depicted in this fictional account the recent cases have been carried out by the wealthy that thought since their life was no longer their perfect ideal it isn't worth living. I can understand pain I am in alot due to several health conditions, I don't like that my life has changed so drastically but I love knowing that I have people that love me and I love them making pain more bearable. I won't put my family through pain just because I don't like that my indepence has been compromised. What message does this set for the upcoming generation? If your life isn't what you think it should be quit trying forget about those that love you and throw in the towel. A lady with a brain tumor recently took the death with dignity route part of her concern was the pain she would face but another large part was knowing her appearance would be affected. This character also depicts a man with love staring him in the face ending his life because he is paralyzed, he has people to love him and care for him but it isn't enough because his life isn't what it used to be. Pain is not fun but you can get through it, children are forced to every day. Children don't have this option and most children do not have adequate pain management. They live in pain all the time with terminal diseases but aren't even provided with the pain management available to adults. So the message is a child that is dying should just get through it but an adult can choose to end their life because their looks will be effected or they can't do what they used to. I worked in a long term care unit, you could report them 2000 times and nothing would change. People with terminal diseases that were unable to communicate were obviously in pain but overlooked just because they couldn't speak. This legal euthanasia will not be available to thesee people in state run overwhelmed nursing homes where people go to live out their days in agony with no love. It shouldn't be legal for a person to be aided in ending their life for vain reasons while a person with a life ending disease writhes in pain with no love nothing to ease their pain waiting for death in agony.