Book Clubbin’: 8 Discussion Questions for ‘The Lions of Fifth Avenue’ by Fiona Davis

Welcome to our monthly blog feature, Book Clubbin’! With some people back in the office, and others still at home, it’s important to keep busy and stay connected! Why not reach out to your bookish friends and see if they want to start a virtual book club or, if your area permits, a backyard book club (with social distancing in place, of course).

Let’s face it, it’s hard to find time to sit down and read these days! We’ve got work, commuting, chores, kids, and so many other things to worry about. That’s when audiobooks come in handy! Just pop on some headphones, press play, and you’ll be the CEO of multi-tasking in a flash!

This month our Book Clubbin’ pick is The Lions of Fifth Avenue by Fiona Davis, narrated by Erin Bennet and Lisa Flanagan. Davis is known for her bestselling historical fiction releases such as The Address and The Chelsea Girls. Her latest release, The Lions of Fifth Avenue, is already garnering buzz, as it was chosen as Good Morning America’s August book club pick. This listen follows Laura Lyons in 1913 as she heads to journalism school, and when valuable books are stolen from the New York Public Library, she gets sucked into the scandal.

Then, we jump forward 80 years to follow Sadie Donovan, Laura’s grand daughter, as she starts her new role at the New York Public Library. When items from the exhibit she was working on begin to go missing, Sadie is faced with unwelcome truths about her own family history.

This month’s pick is perfect for historical fiction fans and book lovers. This story will have you fully immersed. If you’re ready to start discussing The Lions of Fifth Avenue with your book club, get started with the questions below. Beware— SPOILERS ahead.

—————MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS!————

1) Attending the Heterodoxy club changes Laura’s outlook on her life. Are there clubs similar to this that exist today?

2) What is your opinion on how Laura reacts when she finds out who has been stealing books from the library?

3) At the beginning of the book, Laura fills the traditional role of housewife and mother, but she wants to add “student” to the mix. She is met with resistance from her husband when she expresses her intentions. Do you think this still happens today, where woman are expected to fulfill traditionally “female” roles in their households?

4) In both time periods, priceless books go missing from the New York Public Library. Do you think that history will always repeat itself?

5) The library is very important to the story, as well as to both protagonists. What do libraries mean to you? Why are they an important space in our communities?

6) Laura takes the brunt of the blame for the events that transpired. If the roles weren’t so traditional in her home with Josh, do you think that her response and willingness to accept the blame would be different?

7) When Sadie finds out the truth about her grandmother, how does this change her?

8) Do you agree with the punishment that was given to the book thief? What do you think would be a suitable punishment for theft of these priceless items?


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