<aside> <img src="https://prod-files-secure.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/f38711d4-66aa-49f9-abea-2322a123578a/b9a44da0-7c68-4ab7-a769-b6fedf5b9903/octagon-alert_(1).png" alt="https://prod-files-secure.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/f38711d4-66aa-49f9-abea-2322a123578a/b9a44da0-7c68-4ab7-a769-b6fedf5b9903/octagon-alert_(1).png" width="40px" /> This club is currently inactive

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Information

<aside> <img src="https://prod-files-secure.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/f38711d4-66aa-49f9-abea-2322a123578a/37b589b2-f2e4-429c-a218-2f76263ad394/book-open-check_(1).png" alt="https://prod-files-secure.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/f38711d4-66aa-49f9-abea-2322a123578a/37b589b2-f2e4-429c-a218-2f76263ad394/book-open-check_(1).png" width="40px" /> Current month’s book and upcoming meeting:

• Current Book: N/A
• Upcoming Meeting: N/A </aside>

<aside> <img src="https://prod-files-secure.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/f38711d4-66aa-49f9-abea-2322a123578a/007d4095-f0b8-422f-82e4-f039eb9fa194/info.png" alt="https://prod-files-secure.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/f38711d4-66aa-49f9-abea-2322a123578a/007d4095-f0b8-422f-82e4-f039eb9fa194/info.png" width="40px" /> Context for this book club:

• Name: Shelf Care
• Cadence: Third Sunday of the month
• Location: TBA, in person
• Membership: Group is not exclusive, anyone can bring a friend
• Selection: Anyone suggests books, then ranked choice voting on a reduced selection of six
• Requirements: Fully reading the book is not required, but see note on spoilers below
• Spoilers: Not avoided, but spoilers of future books in a series are not allowed
• Structure & Concept: Laid back with some questions, but mainly organic
• Host: @Jolene will lead the discussion, unless someone desires to do so
• Communication: A WhatsApp group - contact @Jolene for access </aside>

Discussion

<aside> <img src="https://prod-files-secure.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/f38711d4-66aa-49f9-abea-2322a123578a/37b589b2-f2e4-429c-a218-2f76263ad394/book-open-check_(1).png" alt="https://prod-files-secure.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/f38711d4-66aa-49f9-abea-2322a123578a/37b589b2-f2e4-429c-a218-2f76263ad394/book-open-check_(1).png" width="40px" /> Framework and example questions to help drive discussion, not all questions need to be asked.

• can be useful. </aside>

Impact

<aside> <img src="https://prod-files-secure.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/f38711d4-66aa-49f9-abea-2322a123578a/007d4095-f0b8-422f-82e4-f039eb9fa194/info.png" alt="https://prod-files-secure.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/f38711d4-66aa-49f9-abea-2322a123578a/007d4095-f0b8-422f-82e4-f039eb9fa194/info.png" width="40px" /> How well the story evokes the intended feelings. How enjoyable the story is.

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1. Did the emotional beats hit?
2. Was the action exciting? Was the horror scary?
3. Did you find yourself thinking about the story after finishing it?
4. Were you emotionally invested enough to care about what happens next?
5. Did the pacing of revelations and emotional moments give time to process?
6. Is the atmosphere and mood felt through the descriptive language?

Plot + Themes

<aside> <img src="https://prod-files-secure.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/f38711d4-66aa-49f9-abea-2322a123578a/007d4095-f0b8-422f-82e4-f039eb9fa194/info.png" alt="https://prod-files-secure.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/f38711d4-66aa-49f9-abea-2322a123578a/007d4095-f0b8-422f-82e4-f039eb9fa194/info.png" width="40px" /> Quality of the plot, focus, pacing, and themes.

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1. Does the story make sense? Was it interesting? Were there plot holes?
2. How was the pacing? Were the acts structured well, such as the common 3-act structure?
3. Does the setting work with the plot?
4. Was there symbolism present? If so, what did you think of the message?
5. Are the themes explored with nuance or are they heavy-handed/superficial?
6. Do plot twists and reveals feel earned with proper setup and payoff?
7. Does the section structure enhance or disrupt the narrative flow?
8. Are subplots given space to develop or do they feel rushed/bloated?

Bechdel Test

<aside> <img src="https://prod-files-secure.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/f38711d4-66aa-49f9-abea-2322a123578a/007d4095-f0b8-422f-82e4-f039eb9fa194/info.png" alt="https://prod-files-secure.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/f38711d4-66aa-49f9-abea-2322a123578a/007d4095-f0b8-422f-82e4-f039eb9fa194/info.png" width="40px" /> Quality of the representation and agency of women.

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1. Do two named women talk to each other about something other than a man?
2. Are female characters given agency and meaningful roles?
3. Do female characters have their own goals and arcs?
4. Is there diversity in the types of female characters portrayed?

Characters

<aside> <img src="https://prod-files-secure.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/f38711d4-66aa-49f9-abea-2322a123578a/007d4095-f0b8-422f-82e4-f039eb9fa194/info.png" alt="https://prod-files-secure.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/f38711d4-66aa-49f9-abea-2322a123578a/007d4095-f0b8-422f-82e4-f039eb9fa194/info.png" width="40px" /> Quality of the main and side characters, and their impact on the story.

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1. Was the bad character hated? Was the good character lovable?
2. Did you care about the characters? How well are the character arcs done?
3. Are character motivations clear and believable, even when disagreeing with their choices?
4. Do relationships between characters feel authentic with genuine chemistry/tension?
5. Would the story still work if any other character was slotted in for character X?
6. Are characters distinct enough to be identified as speaking without dialogue tags?
7. Does the internal monologue deepen understanding or feel redundant?
8. Which character in the book would you most like to meet?
9. What would the dream cast look like?

Dialogue + Prose

<aside> <img src="https://prod-files-secure.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/f38711d4-66aa-49f9-abea-2322a123578a/007d4095-f0b8-422f-82e4-f039eb9fa194/info.png" alt="https://prod-files-secure.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/f38711d4-66aa-49f9-abea-2322a123578a/007d4095-f0b8-422f-82e4-f039eb9fa194/info.png" width="40px" /> Quality of the script, dialogue, writing, etc.

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1. How was the spoken and unspoken dialogue? Do the characters have unique voices?
2. Is it believable and engaging? Does it feel natural or forced and expository?
3. How is the written prose? Does it help visualize scenes?
4. Is the narrative voice consistent and compelling throughout?
5. Does the author balance showing vs. telling effectively?
6. Favorite quote?

World + Craft

<aside> <img src="https://prod-files-secure.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/f38711d4-66aa-49f9-abea-2322a123578a/007d4095-f0b8-422f-82e4-f039eb9fa194/info.png" alt="https://prod-files-secure.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/f38711d4-66aa-49f9-abea-2322a123578a/007d4095-f0b8-422f-82e4-f039eb9fa194/info.png" width="40px" /> Quality of the world-building, technical craft, and artistic choices in bringing story to life.

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1. Is the world immersive with believable history, cultures, and geography?

<aside> <img src="https://prod-files-secure.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/f38711d4-66aa-49f9-abea-2322a123578a/37b589b2-f2e4-429c-a218-2f76263ad394/book-open-check_(1).png" alt="https://prod-files-secure.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/f38711d4-66aa-49f9-abea-2322a123578a/37b589b2-f2e4-429c-a218-2f76263ad394/book-open-check_(1).png" width="40px" /> Overall, how was this book?

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Candidate Bookshelf

Untitled