"Sworn to Silence" by Linda Castillo

There is good *and* evil in all societies, including the Amish community.  Were you surprised that Kate and her family chose to keep the secret of Daniel Lapp rather than reporting the crime through the law.  Is the law different for the Amish community?

For further information about the author, check out:

http://www.lindacastillo.com/

"Heart of the Matter" by Emily Giffin

At the end of the book, Tessa has a decision to make. Do you feel she made the right one? What would you have done? What do you see as the "heart of the matter" in this story?  How is trust distinct from forgiveness?

For further information about the author, check out:
http://www.emilygiffin.com/


For an interview with Emily Giffin about this book, go to:
http://www.bookreporter.com/authors/emily-giffin/news/interview-051410

"The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver

At the novel's end, the carved-animal woman in the African market is sure that "There has never been any village on the road past Bulungu," that "There is no such village" as Kilanga.  What do you make of this?

For further information about the author, check out:

http://www.kingsolver.com/biography/



"The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society" by Mary Ann Shaffer & Annie Barrows

Numerous Guernsey residents give Juliet access to their private memories of the occupation. Which voices were most memorable for you? What was the effect of reading a variety of responses to a shared tragedy?

For information about the authors, check out:


http://www.bookreporter.com/authors/mary-ann-Shaffer


For information about the German occupation of the Channel Islands:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/topics/occupation_channel_islands

"Al Capone Does My Shirts" by Gennifer Choldenko

As Moose obediently helps his sister off the boat as they head to school, he thinks to himself, "Good Moose, obedient Moose. I always do what I'm supposed to do".  Is this true?

For further information about the author, check out:
http://www.gennifercholdenko.com/about/faq1.html


For information about autism, the author and the book:
http://www.alcaponedoesmyshirts.com/autism/autism01.html


Alcatraz - The True Stories: interviews with people who lived and worked on The Rock:
http://www.alcaponedoesmyshirts.com/interviews/

"Brooklyn" by Colm Toibin

If Eilis had been able to choose freely, between Brooklyn and tony, and Enniscorthy and Jim, what do you think she would have chosen? Or is Eilis really a young woman who does not choose, who allows others to determine her fate?

For further information about the author, check out:

http://www.colmtoibin.com/

To read the New York Times Sunday Book Review of "Brooklyn" from May 1, 2009:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/03/books/review/Schillinger-t.html?_r=0

"The Book of Unknown Americans" by Cristina Henriquez

How does Alma’s lingering guilt about Maribel’s accident affect her choices and interactions when she’s in America? Do you think that she still feels this way by the end of the book? What does she have to do, and realize within herself, to move beyond her feelings? Do other characters besides Alma struggle with guilt? How does this emotion echo throughout the book, even among the varying narrators/voices?

For further information about the author, check out:

http://www.cristinahenriquez.com/

For information about the Unknown Americans Project, check out:

http://unknownamericans.tumblr.com/

For interviews with author Cristina Henriquez:

https://lareviewofbooks.org/interview/three-questions-cristina-henriquez

http://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/novelist-cristina-henriquez-immigrants-unknown-americans-n276336

"The Kind Worth Killing" by Peter Swanson

Is Lily a victim of her upbringing and circumstances?

Did you as a reader identify with any of the characters or their motives?

For further information about the author, check out: 
http://www.peter-swanson.com/

"I Am the Messenger" by Markus Zusak

One of Ed’s first messages is to soothe Milla Johnson’s loneliness by posing as her deceased husband. How does this experience show Ed the real meaning of love? Then, Ed delivers a message to Sophie, the barefoot runner. Explain the courage that Ed learns from Sophie. What does Ed learn from each of the twelve messages that he delivers? How is each mission a lesson for the heart?

For information about the author, check out:
http://www.chipublib.org/markus-zusak-biography/

For an interview with Markus Zusak, check out:
http://yappingaboutyoungadult.blogspot.com/2008/07/interview-with-author-markus-zusak.html

For an extremely well-written review and interpretation of the book and its ending, check out:
https://discombobulatedbooks.wordpress.com/2012/10/28/i-am-the-messenger-markus-zusak/

"What Alice Forgot" by Liane Moriarty

Out of all the characters in the book, who do you think had changed the most over the past decade and why?

For further information about the author, check out: 
http://lianemoriarty.com.au/

For a Q&A with Liane Moriarty, go to:
http://www.realsimple.com/work-life/entertainment/liane-moriarty-answers-questions-from-online-book-club