The Ultimate Badass Book Discussion Guide
In this time of social distancing I am seeing so many people posting about wanting to do online book clubs with friends or colleagues. As the founder of an online book club, I fully support this idea as a way to maintain and strengthen connections.
I launched the Badass Women’s Book Club to build a community of women who support each other on the journey to being their most empowered, authentic and confident self. My goal is to help women move from inspiration to action, through intentional discussions, meaningful connections and engaging resources.
Each monthly Badass Women’s Book Club book is chosen intentionally. I try to alternate between fiction, nonfiction, memoir and personal development, but our books are always FOR and BY badass women authors. I create a discussion guide to accompany each book. The questions are constructed not just to elicit an engaging conversation, but also to focus on self-awareness, inspiration and action.
Below are some of our most popular books over the last two years. I’ve included the discussion guide for each one. I am sure that with all of these choices you’re sure to find one (or two or three!) books that appeal to you and your group of readers.
Happy reading (and discussing)!
Discussion Questions
Which individual in the book do you think most impacted Michelle Obama’s “becoming” journey and why?
What surprised you the most about her life? What impressed you the most?
Why do you think Michelle Obama chose to name her memoir Becoming? What does the idea of “becoming” mean to you?
What is the one question you’d like to ask her after having read her autobiography?
Discussion Questions:
What does the word “badass” mean to you?
What were your main takeaways from the book?
Did the author’s style of writing appeal to you? Was it funny? Too brash? Too “spiritual”?
What did you think of the fact that the author ended each chapter with “Love Yourself”?
Have you made any changes in your life based on the advice given in the book?
What is one badass action you will commit to doing in the next week?
Discussion Questions
The story is told from the perspectives of Alix and Emira. How did these different narrators affect your reading/listening experience?
There are many uncomfortable, but relatable, moments in this book. In what ways did you see your own experiences reflected in this story? How did you feel seeing them explored through the characters?
Toward the end of the novel, Alix is confronted with the possibility that she had not acted in Emira’s best interests. Do you think Alix meant well by getting involved in Emira’s situation? Do her intentions ultimately matter?
How do you think the title, Such a Fun Age, relates to the story?
Were you satisfied with how the novel ended? Were you hoping for a different resolution?
Discussion Questions
Which character in the novel did you most relate to?
Compare and contract how Jo and Bethie are both influenced by their mother. How does it impact each of their lives?
Discuss the themes of womanhood in the novel (women in the workforce, marriage, motherhood, sexuality, education for women, body image, etc). Which ones most resonated with you?
The book spans half of the 20th century and the early part of the 21st. What period details make you feel immersed in each decade? What effect did this have on your reading experience?
What did the title Mrs. Everything mean in the context of this story?
Discussion Questions:
Which essay was your favorite? Why?
Gay points out her feminist failings: listening to rap music, wanting to be taken care of, liking the color pink – contradictions that make her a “bad feminist.” What do you think are the characteristics of a “good feminist?” Is there such a thing as a bad or good feminist?
Gay writes, “I sometimes cringe when I am referred to as a feminist, as if I should be ashamed of my feminism or as if the word “feminist” is an insult. The label is rarely offered in kindness.” What common misconceptions do people have about the words feminist and feminism?
What will you take with you from reading “Bad Feminist”? Will you continue to consider the issues that were explored?
Discussion Questions
Was there anything about Chanel’s story that surprised you?
Was there anything about the legal system and process from a victim’s perspective that you found surprising?
In what ways do you think the legal system failed Chanel? What–if anything–do you think was done well?
One of the arguments against punishing Brock beyond six months in jail is that serving a prison sentence would ruin his life. And yet, as Chanel asks in this book, what about my life? How did this experience affect Chanel and her loved ones?
What was your biggest takeaway from the book?
Discussion Questions
Before starting “The Power,” what assumptions do you have about a book on women who develop superpowers?
Why do you think Alderman chose the ability to conduct electricity and send jolts as women’s newfound superpower?
At several points in the book, Alderman writes that women are using the power in unsettling ways simply “because they can.” Do you believe this is true of human nature?
The premise of The Power seems to be that if a new world order were created—with women in charge—it would look little different from the way it does now. That woman would use their power to oppress men. Do you agree with that premise? Does Naomi Alderman make her case convincingly? Do you see other possibilities?
How did this book make you think differently about gender, or about power?
The novel: bleak or hopeful?
Discussion Questions
Prior to reading this book did you identify as a feminist? Why or why not?
Did hearing the author’s definition of a feminist (“a person who believes in the social, political, and economic equality of the sexes”) change whether or not you identify as a feminist? What would you add or edit in her definition?
The author makes the point that the concept of gender tells us how we “should” be in society. What messages do we send about how women “should” behave versus how men “should” behave? How do you think those expectations affect us?
Are there any points in the book that you disagree with?
What’s one key takeaway from the book that you’d like to share with someone else? With whom would you share it?
Discussion Questions
The author has chosen to write this as a memoir in the form of essays. What did you think about this format?
Which of the essays did you like the best? Which did you like the least?
Wong’s humor has been called “raunchy”. Does her style appeal to you? Are there other adjectives you would use?
If you got a chance to ask the author a question, what would it be?
Date a DJ – yes or no?
Discussion Questions
There were many dramatic moments in the book. Which was most memorable for you?
What is something new you learned about this issue by reading this book?
How do you think this book helps advance the #MeToo movement?
If you could ask the authors one question what would it be?
Discussion Questions
Was there any part of the book that particularly resonated with you?
Would you call this a self-help book or an autobiography?
Is there anything from the book that you plan to apply to your life (at home or at work)?
What will you say YES to in the coming year
Would you recommend this book to others? Why or why not?
Discussion Questions
What do you think that it is about Tara that allowed her to escape her circumstances?
What do you think Tara is referring to with the title Educated? And what statement do you think the book makes on education at large?
Westover’s life changes dramatically thanks to an encouraging professor at Brigham Young. “He’d seemed to say, ‘First find out what you are capable of, then decide who you are,’” she writes. Has anyone ever given you advice to do something beyond what you thought you were capable? Did you follow it?
What were you most shocked by in the book? (Can you even pick just one?)
Looking back over the book, what did you learn about family and forgiveness and trauma? What did you learn about education?
Looking for books and gifts for you and the badass women in your life? Visit our Badass Women’s Book Club Online Store! I do earn a small commission from sales made from this site (and the links above!) – so thank you in advance for your support!