The Martha's Vineyard Beach and Book Club

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. The Martha’s Vineyard Beach and Book Club has many layers and elements. How do you feel about Mari’s story compared to that of Briar and Cadence? What did you think of the multiple genres and the World War II setting?

2. What scenes or moments did you like the best? What parts were less intriguing? For example, were you more interested in Peter’s conflict, Cadence’s personal life, or Bess’s conflict with her mother?

3. Compare The Martha’s Vineyard Beach and Book Club to Kelly’s prequel to Lilac Girls, Lost Roses (2019)? What themes do the novels share? How does the World War I setting function similarly and differently than the World War II setting of this novel?

4.  What moments elicited a deep response? Tom’s death? Major Gilbert and Cadence’s romantic swim? How did Peter’s situation make you feel?

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

1. Which character was the most relatable to you and why? 

2. Have you ever experienced a moral dilemma during which you tried to maintain compassion for another person, despite the challenging circumstances? 

3. Have you ever had to postpone personal goals like Cadence? What was the result of that?

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

1. How does the book connect to ideas and beliefs about feminism? Do Cadence, Briar, Margaret, Gram, and Bess qualify as feminists?

2. How does Martha’s Vineyard shape the book? What does the island do to the characters? How does the island make them vulnerable to danger?

3. How does the book present the burden of war? Who feels the impact of World War II? How has war changed? In today’s society, do people regularly sense the consequences of war?

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

1. How did you feel about the book’s alternating narratives? Was it confusing or easy to follow? Was there a viewpoint you preferred?

2. What character changes the most? While Cadence and Briar’s situations change, do these situations alter the character? How does Mari transform?

3. Focus on the book’s tone. There are lighthearted moments and critical scenes. How does Kelly balance the seriousness of war with playful elements?

4. Talk about the book’s numerous symbols. Aside from reading books, the book club, and the golden heart bracelet, what other symbols are there? What might the Burbank potatoes symbolize? What does the island itself represent?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. If you were in charge of casting the movie or TV adaptation of The Martha’s Vineyard Beach and Book Club, who would you cast for Briar, Cadence, and the other main characters?

2. Cadence and Bess come up with special-sized books for soldiers, called Armed Service Editions (ASE). Create a list of books that you think should be produced as ASEs. Why are these books particularly valuable for military personnel? 

3. What other professional fields could benefit from access to books designed and chosen specifically for them? Write a proposal for a project like the ASEs, but for a different field. What books should be included, and why? How (if at all) should they be physically different from standard books? 

4. Cadence says, “I’ve read six hundred and thirty-two novels. I have them listed by a five-point ranking system” (199). Create your own “ranking system” for the books you’ve read. Explain how it works.

5. Create a timeline for the book that mixes the real history of World War II with the history of the Smith family. Your timeline might include the car accident, Cadence leaving high school early, and Tom’s callup.