Proactive Reading

Me again!

So our new book is an interesting pick for our little book club. A book titled Mommies Who Drink and we are 1 for 8 on the Mommy Front so far. I've perused the book and have to say I give it two thumbs up because it's something you can appreciate and ponder no matter what your "Mommy Status", and surely always a hot topic for our 30-something generation of educated, career-minded, and independent women.

I thought I'd start posting some questions for thought here to consider while we are reading, and not just after. Some are my own, and some are straight off the authour's website on the side bar if you wanted to look yourself....though I've edited them here so they are free of spoilers and just less wordy.

1. When Brett does find a group of moms with whom she identifies, they are the moms at Happy Hour. Do you think that these three, along with Brett, accurately represent the many different faces of motherhood? How diverse are the backgrounds of the moms you know? Do these three seem “ordinary” to you?

2. During one conversation at the bar, Brett says, “I find myself on that peculiar planet women meet on, where being together in that moment is enough.” What does she mean by that? Do the conversations at the bar seem realistic to you? What do you think about the fact that they rarely talk about their children? Are there subjects you wish they talked about more? What similarities does our Finer Things Book Club have with Brett's Friday Mommies Who Drink Club?

3. What do you think of Brett’s relationship with her husband Pat? Do you find him a sympathetic character? What do you think of the fact that Brett seems to need the company of other women even though she seems quite close to her husband?

4. One of the more provocative aspects of the book is Brett’s admission that she did a number of recreational drugs in her youth. Do you think that her past is similar to that of other women her age? Why do you think Brett found it necessary to dwell on her past as a particularly carefree one? How much is your past (or current life) like Brett's - oh yes...we have to discuss this one!!!!

5. A Question for Jasmine - Near the end of the book Katherine mentions the old parenting joke, “There are two kinds of people in the world: those who have children and those who don’t. And those who don’t, don’t know that there are two kinds of people in the world.” What is the meaning of the joke? Do you think it’s true?

6. Brett discusses her shortcomings quite freely in the book. Do you think this makes her more or less sympathetic? Do you think that women should share their fears and insecurities so freely with each other?

7. Do you find her ability to find laughter in the midst of pain attractive or alienating? Do you think that finding the humor in tragedy shows us a person who has dealt with that pain, or one who is denying it?

8. Notice that most of the book takes place in Brett’s head. Very little actually happens. Do you like the feeling of being “inside” her thoughts? Do you think that the fact that so much happens in Brett’s imagination gives her the ability to say things she could never say in real life? What are some examples of this?

9. Brett is in her 40's as she is trying to conceive. How much growing up were you influenced to beleive that having children is something that you did in your 20's? How much do you think parenting style is differs from a 20 year old, 30 year old, or 40 year old? How do you think our children's generation will be affected by having older parents?