Battle of the Bookstores

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. What was your opinion about Battle of the Bookstores overall? What was your favorite part? What was your least favorite part?

2. How does Battle of the Bookstores relate to other contemporary romance novels? Was it interesting to see how it pulled concepts and ideas from literary fiction into the romance genre?

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1. Josie and Ryan both tie their identities closely to their bookstores. Have you ever tied your sense of self-worth or purpose to your work, hobbies, or passions? How did that shape you?

2. Josie uses literature as an escape from her childhood struggles, while Ryan sees romance novels as a source of hope and representation. Which role do books most often play in your life—escape, hope, knowledge, companionship, or something else?

3. Josie feels judged for not finishing college, while Ryan feels inadequate next to his high-achieving siblings. Can you relate to moments of feeling “less than” compared to others, and what helped you move past these feelings?

4. The novel suggests that growth can come from unlikely partnerships. Have you ever learned something valuable from someone you initially dismissed or disagreed with?

Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes.

1. Josie’s aversion to romance is rooted in her mother’s unhealthy reliance on it during periods in which she neglected her daughters. What does the book suggest about society’s stereotypes of romance fiction, and do you think those stereotypes still exist today?

2. Ryan’s desire to prioritize diverse romance stories comes from wanting readers like his late friend JR to feel seen. How does this reflect broader conversations about representation in publishing?

3. The competition between literary fiction and romance mirrors debates in the real literary world about genre “hierarchies.” How does the novel challenge literary elitism in reading, and do you see these tensions reflected in your own reading communities?

Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and symbolism.

1. Analyze the book’s narrative structure and its impact on the story. The novel alternates between Josie and Ryan’s perspectives. How does this dual POV structure shape your understanding of both their rivalry and their romance?

2. BookFriends messages act as a hidden identity subplot. How does the anonymous online friendship add depth to elements surrounding trust, vulnerability, and perception?

3. What role does family play in shaping Josie and Ryan’s worldviews? How do their relationships with their mothers, siblings, or mentors influence the way they approach love and work?

4. Consider the symbolism of “Beyond the Pages” as the bookstore’s final name. What does it reveal about Josie and Ryan’s character arcs and the novel’s broader message about stories and life?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. If Battle of the Bookstores were adapted into a film or Netflix series, which actors would you cast as Josie and Ryan, and why?

2. Imagine you’re tasked with designing a joint event for Tabula Inscripta and Happy Endings. What would you create that blends literary fiction with romance, whether it be the genres themselves or the customers who consume that content?

3. What clues that would be written on your book’s wrapping paper if your life were a “Blind Date with a Book?”