The Echo of Old Books Book Club Kit

The Echo of Old Books by Barbara Davis is the official April 2024 pick for the Peanut Blossom Book Club for Recovering Readers.

A copy of The Echo of Old Books is on the table.

One of my favorite things about the Peanut Blossom Book Club is the member recommendations of books they loved.

When I see a title popping up again, and again, and again as something someone loved enough to share, it catches my eye.

This month’s book club pick is one of those books. The Echo of Old Books came recommended several times in the last year or two and once I took a peek at the plot, it sounded like an excellent choice for this year’s line-up.

P.S. Just joining us? Don’t miss the full 2024 line-up for our book club picks.

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Peanut Blossom Book Club
What is The Echo of Old Books About?
Get Your Copy
The Echo of Old Books Discussion Questions
Book Club Party Menu
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Peanut Blossom Book Club

This book club pick is one of the awesome books from our tenth year of book club.

We’re still going strong! Want to join us?

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What is The Echo of Old Books About?

“Rare-book dealer Ashlyn Greer’s affinity for books extends beyond the intoxicating scent of old paper, ink, and leather. She can feel the echoes of the books’ previous owners―an emotional fingerprint only she can read. When Ashlyn discovers a pair of beautifully bound volumes that appear to have never been published, her gift quickly becomes an obsession. Not only is each inscribed with a startling incrimination, but the authors, Hemi and Belle, tell conflicting sides of a tragic romance.

With no trace of how these mysterious books came into the world, Ashlyn is caught up in a decades-old literary mystery, beckoned by two hearts in ruins, whoever they were, wherever they are. Determined to learn the truth behind the doomed lovers’ tale, she reads on, following a trail of broken promises and seemingly unforgivable betrayals. The more Ashlyn learns about Hemi and Belle, the nearer she comes to bringing closure to their love story―and to the unfinished chapters of her own life.”

Get Your Copy

Genre:
Historical Mystery
Family Life Fiction

Pages: 443

Get your copy here:
Kindle | Paperback | Audiobook | Bookshop

The Echo of Old Books Discussion Questions

I believe the best book club questions to spark a lively discussion in your group help readers make personal connections to the story.

You can read about how to write the best book club questions on your own here, but hopefully these will get you started!

Question 1:

Ashlyn is able to actually feel the lingering emotions that cling to old books. What emotions would she pick up on your latest reads if she held your copies of the books?

Question 2:

How did you feel about the mysterious pair of anonymous author books? Which perspective did you enjoy reading the most: Hemi, Belle, or Ashlyn?

Question 3:

Why do you think Ashlyn was so motivated to track down the original authors of the books? Would you have invested that effort if you discovered them yourself?

Question 4:

What genre would you place this book in? Historical fiction, magical realism, something else?

Question 5:

If you could change anything about the plot, what would you tweak in this story? Was there a moment in particular you would wish your characters to have avoided?

Question 6:

One of the main themes of the books is forgiveness. Which character do you think had the most to forgive? Could you forgive in that situation?

Question 7:

Would you recommend this book to another friend? Would you read something similar to it again?

Book Club Party Menu

I think it is so fun to plan your book club dinner menu or dessert list based on the theme of the book.

Without spoiling the book, the Hanukkah celebration at the end lends itself to the easiest book club party menu.

You can read my full list of 18 Hanukkah recipes that are easy enough for a weeknight or here’s a shortcut to a few of my favorites:

Faster Matzo Ball Soup

This fast matzo ball soup is made using a rotisserie chicken. You can roll the matzo balls smaller if you want to share them in appetizer-sized bowls for your party.

GET THE RECIPE

Make-Ahead Potato Latkes

Make ahead potato latkes can be cooked in advance and frozen. Reheat them in the oven or air fryer for perfectly crispy potato pancakes. They are delicious served with homemade microwave applesauce and/or sour cream.

GET THE RECIPE

Easy Bread Machine Challah

You can bake a homemade challah bread loaf right in your bread machine, it is much easier to do than the more traditional braided egg bread. Serve slices with some whipped honey butter.

GET THE RECIPE