Bookends

Reader’s Guide

 

In every work regard the writer’s end,

Since none can compass more than they intend.

Alexander Pope

 

  1. Emilie Getz describes herself to Jonas Fielding as “born Moravian.” How has her from-the-cradle upbringing in the church helped shape her character? Maybe Bookends served as your introduction to the Moravians and their many historical traditions. In what ways are their methods of worship similar to those in your own church, particular at Christmas and Easter? And what practices seem uniquely Moravian?

 

  1. Are Jonas and Emilie truly “bookends,” looking at life from completely different viewpoints? Make a list of Emilie’s distinguishing character traits—perfectionist, touchy, serious, etc.—and then create a corresponding list that describes Jonas in opposite terms—easygoing, casual, fun-loving, and so forth. After coming up with as many opposites as you can, consider what traits Emilie and Jonas might have in common. What’s required for two “bookends” to build a long-lasting relationship?

 

  1. If Bookends ever landed on the silver screen, which actors might you cast in the leading roles of Emilie, Jonas, and Nathan? Who might make a suitable Beth Landis, Helen Bomberger, or Dee Dee Snyder? When you read a novel, how do you form a clear picture of the characters in your mind— from how they are described physically, from what they say and do, or from the emotions they evoke as their stories unfold?

 

  1. Prickly people like Emilie are often hard to sympathize with, perhaps because their overly-sensitive natures feel uncomfortably familiar. Which aspects of Emilie’s life situation might you identify with in some way? Her long-term singleness? Her commitment to career success? Her uncertainty about motherhood? Her fear of failure? What did you learn about yourself while following Emilie’s journey?

 

  1. Beginning the story during Advent and ending it on Easter served two purposes—from a spiritual sense, it connected the birth of Christ with the atoning death and resurrection of Christ. On a more human plane, the change of seasons was meant to show Emilie’s chilly personality thawing from winter to spring. Find an example of cold-hearted Emilie from the early chapters and warm-hearted Emilie from the closing scenes. At what points did she thaw along the way? Have you seen such transformations in real life?

 

  1. Jonas is determined to show Emilie what joy really means. How would you define “fullness of joy”—practically, emotionally, and spiritually? At first, Emilie does little to encourage Jonas on his mission. What do you think motivates him to continue with his help-Emilie-find-joy project? If there’s an Emilie in your life, have you tried to help her embrace true joy? How would you go about it? And what might happen if you carried through with those ideas?

 

  1. A charming child and countless pets help contribute to Emilie’s growth. What role does little Sara Landis play in Emilie’s life? Have you had a similar experience with a youngster? As to the many animals that invade Emilie’s small house, how does caring for them stretch her in new directions? Has a pet affected your life in some way?

 

  1. The opening epigraphs for each chapter are carefully selected, based on the action that follows or the mood of the scene. How do these brief quotations enhance the story for you? Flip through the two dozen epigraphs in Bookends. Which one is your favorite and why?

 

  1. The prodigal son of Bookends is Nathan Fielding. What sort of feelings did this rebel stir inside you? Sympathy? Anger? Frustration? Were you surprised, perhaps even disappointed, with how things stood with Nate in the final chapter? What makes this ending more honest than a sudden conversion scene? Maybe you know a Nathan, someone who has chosen to turn his back on God. What will it take for Nate—or for your friend or loved one—to surrender his heart to the One who loves him?

 

  1. If you were to pick a favorite scene from Bookends, which one might it be and why? Was it a funny scene or a tender one? Was it mostly humorous or gently spiritual? Weaving those two important threads—humor and faith—throughout the fabric of this contemporary romance was a daunting but delightful challenge. In what ways did Bookends succeed in giving you fullness of joy as a reader?