Mailman: My Wild Ride Delivering the Mail in Appalachia and Finally Finding Home

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. What did you expect before you began reading, and did the book meet those expectations?

2. Did you empathize with Grant? Why or why not?

3. What makes this memoir stand out from others that involve similar themes, settings, or character arcs—for instance, J. D. Vance’s depictions of Appalachia in Hillbilly Elegy, or Stephanie Land’s account of service work in Maid?

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

1. Did reading Grant’s memoir rekindle memories of isolation and boredom during COVID-19? What was this process of reliving this like for you?

2. Have you ever faced a major setback in your life that forced you to reckon with yourself? What did you learn from the experience?

3. Have you ever had a transformative spiritual experience of the kind Grant describes? How did it impact you?

4. If you no longer live in your hometown, would you ever want to go back? What kinds of memories do you think doing so would evoke?

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

1. What did you learn about Appalachia that you may otherwise have never known, if not for reading from a mail carrier’s perspective? How does the book challenge or uphold stereotypes about the region?

2. How does Grant’s depiction of the USPS contribute to ongoing conversations about the privatization of public services? In what other sectors might his critique apply?

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

1. In what sense does Grant’s story challenge typical success narratives? Why do you think he frames his memoir in this way?

2. Which seemingly insignificant moments in Grant’s daily experiences ended up leading to the most personal growth? Is there a common thread that links them?

3. How did you feel about the work’s nonlinear structure? How did it contribute to your understanding of events and themes?

4. How does the Appalachian setting shape the tone of the memoir and Grant’s personal interactions with people along the way?

5. Why does Grant have such an emotional connection to his vehicle? What does this say about the nature of postal work?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. What precious items have you received through the mail? Bring one to the discussion and explain what it means to you.

2. If you were using a route planner app like Google Maps or Roadtrippers to create your ideal mail route, how would you balance concerns like efficiency and safety?

3. When was the last time you wrote a letter? If you were writing a letter to someone you care about or want to thank, what would you say? What kind of stationery, writing utensil, etc., would you use?