1. I never dreamed in a kazillion years that I would ever be fired from a job. As I write in my book, when I was fired I handled the whole situation poorly. What would you do if this happened to you? And would you do anything differently now that you have finished reading my book?

2. I have often been judged by the way I look and my profession. People tend to put people in neat, little compartmentalized boxes. What if there was no box? What is your criteria for judging others? Do you judge a book by its cover?

3. I will always be a small town Kansas girl and I have grown to be proud of that fact. Even though I live in Texas and now call it home, really Eureka, Kansas will truly always be home to me no matter how many times I sing "Yellow Rose of Texas" or give the Texas "Hook'em Horns" sign. What does home mean to you and how do you believe it shapes you?

4. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee is my favorite book of all time. What is your favorite book, and why? If you could make a list of your favorite books, what would they be?

5. If you could do anything in this world without fear of ridicule or amount of money you earned, what would you choose as an occupation, and why?

6. Obviously, since you are reading these discussion questions, you are either in a book club or love to discuss books. Why do you think women in particular have embraced the book club culture?

7. If you are in a book club, do you think that any of your fellow members would have been someone you would have naturally selected as a friend? What have you learned from these other members that you would have not learned otherwise?

8. Pulpwood Queen Joyce Jackson Futch changed my outlook on life. Have you ever met a friend that transformed you as a person? What does friendship mean to you and how are you a friend to others? Joyce also changed my outlook on death. What did you learn from reading about Joyce's story?

9. Growing up, I adored the Miss America pageant, but as a child of the 70's and being forced into a pageant, I found them demeaning. What do you think about beauty pageants and do you think they have a future in our society today?

10. Author Doug Marlette believed that in life, our hope is that we will reach a point where we no longer seek fame and fortune, bright lights, big city, but that we become satisfied with a job well done. I too believe in such a dream. What do you think society can do as a whole to affirm that service above self is much more important than the almighty buck and keeping up with the Joneses?

11. Teachers, librarians, and others who have mentored me have been a blessing in my life. What can we do to help recognize those individuals who believe that a child has worth and should be educated with the highest respect regardless of race, color, religion, economic background and where they live? Also what can we do as readers to help instill that reading is taught to be the highest form of entertainment and where imaginations are to be cultivated?

12. I have always felt and and now know that creating beauty and reading are to be my calling in life --- my life's mission. I love to make people feel better about themselves and I love to encourage reading. There is no higher honor than to serve others. What does that statement mean to you? And why as a society don't we praise others who make our lives easier?

13. Name a book that changed your views on seeing the world.

14. I believe that reading should be experienced by all the senses. I like to physically touch a book when I read it rather than read a book online. That is why we bring food that relates to our book pick to our Pulpwood Queens meetings, or have the author come visit our book club to have them read aloud from excerpts of the book or give a talk about the book. Nothing brings me more pleasure than reading a book I love, and then go see the movie, musical, or play based on that book. I think that when you envelop all five senses into the reading experience, the book becomes much more pleasurable. Do you agree or disagree, and why?

15. Some people believe that reading and book clubs are just a trend in society. People have also said this about leopard print, but judging from how much I am still seeing leopard print out there for the past 30 or 40 years, I rest my case. Do you believe that book clubs are just a trend like drinking hot Dr. Pepper with lemon like I did back in the 1970's, or do you think reading and books are here to stay?

16. I truly believe that books saved me. I came from a family that was different. Only now, after writing this book, am I beginning to question if any family is really like what you see on "Leave it to Beaver" or "Father Knows Best." What I do know is this: Reading helped me escape into another world. If I was scared, I could read a book. If I got too scared reading the book, I could close the book. I was in control of my environment instead of the other way around. What has reading done for you? Now that you have answered that question, here is an even better one: What can you do to help promote reading?