The inaugural installment of the #babeafbookclub is here! We are reading a book/month and for January 2022, we dove into Delia Owens' book, 'Where the Crawdads Sing' and we had the best time learning from each other and there are definitely a few twists and turns in the storyline that we were surprised by as we were going through it! We learned that the paperback as a small cookbook in the back and I'll be sure to post along with our review on socials.
Here are the general basis of the questions that were discussed, Thanks to @reesewitherspoon's bookclub doing it first, we loved following suite.
1. How does the North Carolina marsh setting shape the story? In what ways does the setting seem like another character in the novel?
2. Discuss the series of events that led to Kya living alone in the marsh. Who failed her, and who was there for her? Were there better choices that could have been made?
3. How do Kya’s observations of nature influence her understanding of the world? Give examples of how Kya’s decisions were influenced by things she saw in nature.
4. How did you feel about Kya’s decision not to return to school? How different would her life have been if she had stayed in school?
5. What is Kya’s relationship like with Jumpin’ and Mabel? Why are the drawn to Kya — and what do they have to offer her?
6. Which characters had the biggest influence on Kya? On whose lives did she make the biggest impact?
7. Did the people of Barkley Cove owe anything to Kya? What does it mean for her to be an outsider, and how does it impact her life and choices?
8. How is poetry used in the book? What does poetry mean to Tate and to Kya?
9. What does Kya learn about relationships by watching fireflies? How did her interpretation of their behavior inform her choices later?
10. Contrast Kya’s relationships with Chase and Tate. What do each of them offer her, and what does she represent to them?
11. What does Kya learn by watching the girls in Barkley Cove? How is her idea of womanhood influenced by her observations and by her life in the marsh?
12. Do you see Kya as a victim? Why or why not? How did your opinion of her change over the course of the book?
13. How did you feel about the outcome of the trial? Do you think Tate made the right decision? Why?
14. Did the ending of the book offer the closure you wanted? Were you surprised or disappointed by the way the book ended?
15. What did the title, Where the Crawdads Sing, mean to you before and after you read the book?
Be sure to check out Tieghan's recipe for a blackberry bourbon // recipe: https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/blackberry-bourbon-smash/
Zoom Happy Hour Drink Suggestion; Blackberry Bourbon Smash by Half Baked Harvest (thank you Tieghan Gerard) [In honor of the blackberry jam Kya takes to Jumpin’ and Mabel’s house, we suggest serving this Blackberry Bourbon Smash at your book discussion. Combining muddled blackberries with bourbon, ginger beer, honey, lemon, and a mint garnish, I think this beautiful and fruity cocktail will be a smash with our book group!]
Overall rating of the first book of 2022, why yes, the question everyone is asking ... (noone is asking but I'm giving it to you ANYWAY), 4/5 stars baby, would recommend. My only flaw is essentially my ability to comprehend and read faster so its nothing to do with Delia's ability. Can't wait to hand for February's book ya'll!
