• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Peanut Blossom
  • Start Here
  • Recipes
  • Book Club
  • Cookbooks
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
menu icon
go to homepage
  • ABOUT
  • RECIPES
  • HOLIDAYS
  • BOOK CLUB
  • COOKBOOKS
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • ABOUT
    • RECIPES
    • HOLIDAYS
    • BOOK CLUB
    • COOKBOOKS
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Home » Blog » Book Club

    The Guncle by Steven Rowley

    Published: Apr 5, 2022 · Modified: Aug 21, 2022 by Tiffany Dahle · This post may contain affiliate links.

    • Share
    • Email Friend!
    A copy of The Guncle by Steven Rowley sits on a table.

    The Guncle by Steven Rowley is the official April 2022 pick for the Peanut Blossom Book Club for Recovering Readers.

    A copy of The Guncle by Steven Rowley sits on a table.

    Being a parent is a tough job but when you're in the trenches of the work it can be easy to take for granted just how hard it really is.

    I think that's partly why books that shine the light on parenting from the perspective of someone new to the job are extra entertaining to busy moms.

    This month's book popped up time and again as member end of month favorites in the Peanut Blossom Book Club last spring and every time I'd see that happy yellow cover I'd stop in my tracks.

    I'm so excited to read it for myself this month as our official April pick.

    P.S. Just joining us? Don't miss the full 2022 line-up for our book club picks.

    Want Free Reminders for Each Book?

    Sign up for my book club newsletter right here:

      Built with ConvertKit

      April Official Book Club Pick: The Guncle by Steven Rowley

      I’m pleased to announce that this is our official April Pick for this year.

      Get your copy of this month’s book club pick:

      Buy the book on Amazon.

      Buy the book on Audible.

      Money-saving tricks for reading this month’s book pick:

      • You can get the book from your library.
      • You can buy a used copy here.
      • Check to see if the Kindle version is on sale.

      What is this month's book about?

      "Patrick, or Gay Uncle Patrick (GUP, for short), has always loved his niece, Maisie, and nephew, Grant. That is, he loves spending time with them when they come out to Palm Springs for weeklong visits, or when he heads home to Connecticut for the holidays. But in terms of caretaking and relating to two children, no matter how adorable, Patrick is, honestly, overwhelmed.

      So when tragedy strikes and Maisie and Grant lose their mother and Patrick's brother has a health crisis of his own, Patrick finds himself suddenly taking on the role of primary guardian. Despite having a set of "Guncle Rules" ready to go, Patrick has no idea what to expect, having spent years barely holding on after the loss of his great love, a somewhat-stalled acting career, and a lifestyle not-so-suited to a six- and a nine-year-old. Quickly realizing that parenting--even if temporary--isn't solved with treats and jokes, Patrick's eyes are opened to a new sense of responsibility, and the realization that, sometimes, even being larger than life means you're unfailingly human.

      With the humor and heart we've come to expect from bestselling author Steven Rowley, The Guncle is a moving tribute to the power of love, patience, and family in even the most trying of times."

      Read the full description of the book here.

      Discussion Questions for The Guncle

      You can read the online book club discussion of The Guncle right here.

      If you plan to host your own book club discussion, these questions are a great place to start:

      Question 1

      What did you think of this month's pick? Would you have chosen it on your own?

      Question 2

      Did you love the Guncle's rules?? Which one was your favorite?

      Would you add something to his list?

      Question 3

      Do you recognize similarities between your own siblings as were presented in this book?

      Question 4

      How do you feel about the portrayal of the experience of grief in this book?

      Was the lighthearted approach to such a heavy topic effective?

      Question 5

      How does your parenting style compare to the Guncle's? How would you feel about him care taking for your kids for a summer?

      Question 6

      Have you ever worn a kaftan? Did this story make you want to try?? (It did for me!)

      What's your summer wardrobe staple?

      Question 7

      Where do you think the family's story goes from here? What happens next for everyone?

      Book Club Party Menu

      First, grab a bottle of sparkling wine and mix it with this homemade strawberry lemonade for summery spritzers.

      Then serve elegant strawberry bruschetta, creamy pina colada dip, and a spicy taco dip to channel the Palm Springs aura!

      • A glass of strawberry lemonade has a fresh sprig of mint on the top for garnish and sits next to several slices of fresh lemon.
        Easy Strawberry Lemonade
      • 2 crostini toasts are topped with diced strawberries and a sprinkle of fresh basil to show the strawberry bruschetta appetizer. A plate of crostini sits in the background.
        Fresh Strawberry Bruschetta
      • A ruffled bowl of pina colada dip has shredded coconut on top and is surrounded by fresh strawberries, pineapple, and gingersnap cookies.
        Creamy Piña Colada Fruit Dip
      • A container of homemade taco dip has a spicy cream cheese filling and is topped with shredded cheese and lettuce. A serving spoon has scooped a portion out.
        Spicy Taco Dip

      You May Also Like

      If you liked this book, you may also enjoy these other fun book club picks about parenting and marriage:

      • The Overdue Life of Amy Byler by Kelly Harms
      • A copy of The Arrangement by Sarah Dunn sits on a table.
        The Arrangement by Sarah Dunn
      • A copy of Truly Madly Guilty by Liane Moriarty sits on a table.
        Truly Madly Guilty by Liane Moriarty
      • A copy of Where'd You Go Bernadette sits on a table.
        Where'd You Go, Bernadette? by Maria Semple
      A copy of The Guncle by Steven Rowley sits on a table.

      More Best Book Club Picks

      • A cover of the book What the Wind Knows by Amy Harmon
        What the Wind Knows by Amy Harmon
      • A copy of the book club book The Ex Talk by Rachel Lynn Solomon is on the table.
        The Ex Talk by Rachel Lynn Solomon
      • A book club party at a dinner table next to a photo of a pile of books and two recipe ideas.
        All the Book Club Dinner Ideas You'll Ever Need
      • A copy of The Last Thing He told Me sits on a table.
        The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave

      Reader Interactions

      Share Your Thoughts Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




      Primary Sidebar

      Hi, I'm Tiffany!
      I believe a great family recipe is one that makes everyone at the table happy, not just the kids. I'm the author of two bestselling cookbooks for kids that are chock full of recipes everyone in your family will love. I'm also the hostess of the best online book club for moms.

      More about me →

      What's Trending Now

      • A photo collage shows the variety of recipes that can be made in a bread maker.
        50 Best Bread Machine Recipes
      • A blue baking dish filled with mac and cheese with bread crumb topping. A serving spoon has removed a portion to show the creamy elbow noodles.
        Make Ahead Mac and Cheese
      • An airfryer basket has 7 seasoned chicken tenderloins golden brown and cooked.
        Healthy Chicken Tenderloins in the Air Fryer
      • Two salmon filets are surrounded by fresh green beans in an air fryer basket.
        How to Cook Salmon in Air Fryer

      Popular

      • A freezer-friendly metal pan holds an 8x8-inch apple crisp with crumble topping.
        Freezer Friendly Apple Crisp
      • A stack of the best books for book club in 2023
        Best Book Club Picks 2023
      • A taco salad made with mini frozen tacos.
        10-minute Trader Joe's Meals
      • A young kid's hand is holding a homemade pizza lunchable.
        30 School Lunch Ideas for Kids
      • A collage of easy dinners for busy nights.
        30 Quick Dinners for Busy Nights
      • A photo collages shows several easy dinner ideas kids could make.
        Easy Dinner Ideas for Yo-Yo Nights {You're On Your Own!}
      • A meal train dinner kit featuring supplies for tacos sits in an aluminum tray for delivery.
        30 Clever Meal Train Ideas with Recipes
      • Harry Potter themed snacks are in a platter with a witch hat sitting next to an open copy of a Harry Potter book.
        21 Harry Potter Snacks for Movie Night

      Footer

      As Seen On

      The Taste of Home Logo
      The Pioneer Woman Logo
      The Country Living Logo
      The Buzzfeed logo
      The Good Housekeeping Logo

      About

      As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

      Contact
      Privacy Policy
      Disclaimer

      Favorites

      Bread Recipes
      Soup Recipes
      Quick Dinner Recipes
      Harry Potter Fan Club
      Reading with Kids

      Holidays

      Easter Recipes
      4th of July Recipes
      Catholic Celebrations
      Thanksgiving Recipes
      Christmas Recipes

      Recipes

      Appetizers
      Dinners
      Salads
      Side Dishes
      Desserts
      Brunch
      Homemade Pantry

      ↑ back to top

      Copyright © 2023