Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. Joan remains married to Bill despite his pattern of infidelity. Do you think that some people have relationship patterns that they cannot change? Did you agree with Joan’s decision to remain in her marriage?

2. What were your impressions of Joan? Did you find her to be a likeable character?

3. Despite the title, the plotline of Joan’s café only appears relatively late in the novel. Were you surprised by the structure of the plot? Did you find it engaging?

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

1. Joan and Bill fall in love despite a significant age gap. Have you ever had a crush or a relationship with someone much older or younger? What types of challenges do you think these relationships face?

2. Have you ever been drawn to the idea of opening your own business? What kind of business would you most want to own?

3. If a conversation café like the Satisfaction Café existed near you, do you think you would go? What would you look for in a host, and what topics would you be drawn to discussing?

4. Lee moves back in with Joan at several junctures in her life. Have you ever returned (or contemplated returning) to live with a parent? Or have you had adult children return to live with you? What were the challenges and benefits of these living arrangements?

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

1. As an Asian woman, Joan faces reoccurring episodes of racism and microaggression. What types of settings or environments do you think foster inclusion, and which ones encourage exclusion?

2. Joan decides to take her own life rather than endure a protracted decline and death. How do you feel about medically assisted dying? Do you think Joan should have been able to access physician-assisted suicide?

3. The success of Joan’s café rests on the need for socialization and human connection. How do you think that AI is changing or will change the ways in which people seek connection?

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

1. Discuss the impact of the novel’s third-person narration. Would you have preferred first-person narration from Joan’s perspective? Or the perspective of another character?

2. What roles do minor characters such as Trevor, Ellison, Patty or Nelson play in the narrative? How do they contribute to thematic development?

3. The novel spans a long period of time. How did Wang evoke specific historical details or provide context for the setting?

4. Did you expect the novel to conclude with Joan’s death? Did you find the ending satisfying?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. If this book were adapted into a movie, who would you cast in the lead roles?

2. Joan creates a thriving business based on an unmet need that she observes in society. If you could create any sort of business to resolve any existing social problem, what would it be? How would your business resolve this challenge?