Fall into Go Set a Watchman

Autumn is fast approaching and before the days of summer wind down so was our last book club of this season.

Just as a painter needs light in order to put finishing touches to his picture, so I need an inner light, which I feel I never have enough of in the autumn - Leo Tolstoy

Time is flying and yet another year of holiday book club parties is fast approaching. Choosing a really good Halloween book is a must (can't believe we are talking about spooky reads already!) as well deciding on a costume theme but first let's get into our book discussion of the long awaited Go Set a Watchman. 

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Transition into Go Set a Watchman Discussion

Before our dialogue of Harper Lee's novel our book club host surprised us with a game of ten trivia questions. I have to give a shout out because those questions were tough! Only one winner took away a fun prize and for that one lucky person who obviously paid way more attention to the novel than the rest of us did.  

This quote from The Los Angeles Times summed up our opinion of the novel, “Don’t let ‘Go Set a Watchman’ change the way you think about Atticus Finch…the hard truth is that a man such as Atticus, born barely a decade after Reconstruction to a family of Southern gentry, would have had a complicated and tortuous history with race.”  Yes! Once we verbalized our thoughts and concerns about Atticus Finch we finally understood, as a group, what the heart of this book was about.

​When it came down to it we truly admired GSAW warts and all (and believe me there were plenty of warts). It was damn hilarious in places and cringe worthy in others but having the opportunity to read this ground breaking piece of literature with my book friends was inspiring. If you are still on the fence and hold in high esteem To Kill a Mockingbird, like I do, please read Go Set a Watchman for the delicious tidbits of childhood flashbacks of Scout, Jem and Dill. Who wouldn't want to see a peek into the pure genius of Harper Lee's set up for what became To Kill a Mockingbird? 

Wrapping up the night it was time to make decisions for our annual Halloween book selection and costume theme. Looking at the list of Halloween books (gathered over time) included several spine tingling, mysterious, eerie picks! In the end, And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie became the clear winner while The Distant Hours came in a close second. Last, we voted on a costume book theme 'fairy tales' and now a race for the best costume is afoot! 

There's always room for Southern goodies!
​More on Book Club Ideas  

Go Set a Watchman Trivia Questions 

Enjoy these 10 trivia questions for your book party put together by a member of our club! Give a point for the right answer and a half point for a somewhat right answer. Give a prize to the winner!
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1. When was the only time Jean Louise wore a hat?   (Jem's funeral)
2. Who said it? "Old Uncle Jack with his cane and his crutch when he was young he boogie-woogied too much;  Put the sales tax on it-"   (Jean Louise)
3. How old was Jean Louise?  (26 years old)
4. What three words described Atticus Finch?   (Integrity, humor, and patience)
5. What number trip home did this make for Scout?  (#5)
6. Jean Louise would wear what when visiting her hometown?   (gray slacks, black sleeveless blouse, white socks and loafers)
7. Scout said she would marry Hank if they moved where?  (Finch's Landing)
8. Flashback to Scout's childhood:  When Jem preached on Heaven what did he say heaven was full of? (bananas - Dill's favorite/ scalloped potatoes - Scout's favorite and Jem said "eat good things"
9. Fill in the blank:  Jean Louise thought styles may come and styles may go, but he (Uncle Jack) and Atticus will cling to their blank  forever.   (vests)
10. What did every girl from 9th grade up write on a note for Mr. Tuffet?    (they look like mine and signed)