Book Club Discussion Guide
Book Club Discussion Guide
Book Club Discussion Guide
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A few questions to help spark conversation about the novel.
A few questions to help spark conversation about the novel.
A few questions to help spark conversation about the novel.
A few questions to help spark conversation about the novel.
Thank you for choosing Balsamic Moon for your book club. Every reader brings different experiences, perspectives, and questions to a story. There are no right or wrong answers—only opportunities to reflect, discuss, and discover together.
I hope these questions enrich your conversation, and I'm honored you've spent time with these characters.
— Alan Gartenhaus
Thank you for choosing Balsamic Moon for your book club. Every reader brings different experiences, perspectives, and questions to a story. There are no right or wrong answers—only opportunities to reflect, discuss, and discover together.
I hope these questions enrich your conversation, and I'm honored you've spent time with these characters.
— Alan Gartenhaus
Thank you for choosing Balsamic Moon for your book club. Every reader brings different experiences, perspectives, and questions to a story. There are no right or wrong answers—only opportunities to reflect, discuss, and discover together.
I hope these questions enrich your conversation, and I'm honored you've spent time with these characters.
— Alan Gartenhaus
Before You Begin
What do you remember about Hurricane Katrina and the flooding of New Orleans in August 2005?
What do you remember about Hurricane Katrina and the flooding of New Orleans in August 2005?
What do you remember about Hurricane Katrina and the flooding of New Orleans in August 2005?
How did your own memories—or lack of them—shape your experience of the novel?
How did your own memories—or lack of them—shape your experience of the novel?
How did your own memories—or lack of them—shape your experience of the novel?
First impressions
Before you began reading, what did you expect from the title Balsamic Moon?
Before you began reading, what did you expect from the title Balsamic Moon?
Before you began reading, what did you expect from the title Balsamic Moon?
How did your own memories—or lack of them—shape your experience of the novel?
How did your own memories—or lack of them—shape your experience of the novel?
How did your own memories—or lack of them—shape your experience of the novel?
characters
Doreen
Doreen
Doreen
What surprised you most about Doreen?
What surprised you most about Doreen?
What surprised you most about Doreen?
In what ways did she grow or change throughout the novel?
In what ways did she grow or change throughout the novel?
In what ways did she grow or change throughout the novel?
Which of her decisions did you understand most? Which did you question?
Which of her decisions did you understand most? Which did you question?
Which of her decisions did you understand most? Which did you question?
characters
Richard
Richard
Richard
What surprised you most about Richard?
What surprised you most about Richard?
What surprised you most about Richard?
How did your perception of him evolve over the course of the story?
How did your perception of him evolve over the course of the story?
How did your perception of him evolve over the course of the story?
What role did he play in Doreen's journey?
What role did he play in Doreen's journey?
What role did he play in Doreen's journey?
Themes
The novel explores resilience, loss, compassion, and unexpected human connection.
The novel explores resilience, loss, compassion, and unexpected human connection.
The novel explores resilience, loss, compassion, and unexpected human connection.
Which theme resonated with you most?
Which theme resonated with you most?
Which theme resonated with you most?
Were there moments when the characters challenged your assumptions?
Were there moments when the characters challenged your assumptions?
Were there moments when the characters challenged your assumptions?
How did the disaster change the relationships between strangers?
How did the disaster change the relationships between strangers?
How did the disaster change the relationships between strangers?
Memorable Moments
Which scene has stayed with you the longest?
Which scene has stayed with you the longest?
Which scene has stayed with you the longest?
Which moment was the most emotionally difficult?
Which moment was the most emotionally difficult?
Which moment was the most emotionally difficult?
Was there a passage or line you found especially beautiful or meaningful?
Was there a passage or line you found especially beautiful or meaningful?
Was there a passage or line you found especially beautiful or meaningful?
Authenticity
The novel is set against the backdrop of real historical events.
The novel is set against the backdrop of real historical events.
The novel is set against the backdrop of real historical events.
Did the story feel authentic?
Did the story feel authentic?
Did the story feel authentic?
What details made New Orleans come alive for you?
What details made New Orleans come alive for you?
What details made New Orleans come alive for you?
Secondary Characters
Buddy
Buddy
Buddy
What were your thoughts about the couple selling Buddy?
What were your thoughts about the couple selling Buddy?
What were your thoughts about the couple selling Buddy?
Why do you think this subplot was included?
Why do you think this subplot was included?
Why do you think this subplot was included?
Authenticity
What did you enjoy most about the novel?
What did you enjoy most about the novel?
What did you enjoy most about the novel?
Was there anything that surprised you?
Was there anything that surprised you?
Was there anything that surprised you?
If you could ask one character a question, who would it be?
If you could ask one character a question, who would it be?
If you could ask one character a question, who would it be?
If you could ask the author one question, what would it be?
If you could ask the author one question, what would it be?
If you could ask the author one question, what would it be?
If you enjoyed Balsamic Moon, your review on Amazon or Barnes & Noble would be greatly appreciated. Your support can help others discover Balsamic Moon.
Thank you!
If you enjoyed Balsamic Moon, your review on Amazon or Barnes & Noble would be greatly appreciated. Your support can help others discover Balsamic Moon.
Thank you!
If you enjoyed Balsamic Moon, your review on Amazon or Barnes & Noble would be greatly appreciated. Your support can help others discover Balsamic Moon.
Thank you!
© 2026 Alan Gartenhaus
© 2026 Alan Gartenhaus