BKMT READING GUIDES
The Next Thing on My List: A Novel
by Jill Smolinski
Paperback : 304 pages
321 clubs reading this now
197 members have read this book
—Richmond Times-Dispatch
After a car accident in which her passenger, Marissa, dies, June Parker finds herself in possession ...
Introduction
“You’ll be hooked by this charming story. . . . Smolinski gives us a quick-witted heroine . . . with just the right amount of romance and a tad of suspense.”
—Richmond Times-Dispatch
After a car accident in which her passenger, Marissa, dies, June Parker finds herself in possession of a list Marissa has written: “20 Things to Do by My 25th Birthday.” The tasks range from inspiring (run a 5K) to daring (go braless) to near-impossible (change someone’s life).
To assuage her guilt, June races to achieve each goal herself before the deadline, learning more about her own life than she ever bargained for.
Excerpt
Chapter 1Next on the list: Kiss a stranger.
"How about him?" Susan pointed to a guy so rakishly handsome, it was odd to see him in a downtown Los Angeles bar wearing a shirt and tie instead of modeling underwear in front of a camera, where he clearly belonged. ... view entire excerpt...
Discussion Questions
From the author:1. Marissa died soon after she lost 100 pounds. Was the timing of this was significant to the story, and if so, in what way?
2. Why do you think the author had June complete someone else’s life list and not write it as a woman completing her own?
3. Which items on the list were most challenging to June? Which would you have the hardest time completing? Did any appeal to you?
4. Have you ever written a “life list?” If so, what sort of items were on it, and have you completed any of them? If you haven’t, why not?
5. Life lists aim to help people live more dynamically by doing things—how does fit in with your philosophy of what makes a person’s life important?
6. After the accident, June says that there are two types of horrible events: the type that make you grab life by the throat and never take it for granted, and the type that make you watch a lot of reality TV. Was her reaction realistic? How would you feel if a passenger died when you were driving?
7. What did you think about the relationship between June and Deedee? How would June’s experience have been different if she’d been given the type of “Little Sister” she’d been
expecting?
8. At Sebastian’s party, guests who learn about the list assume that Marissa must have been unhappy if she was fat. Were they being, as one woman put it, “size-ist?” or it is impossible to be overweight and happy in this society?
9. What characteristics attracted June to Troy? Do you think she would have been drawn to him if he wasn’t a traffic reporter? If he wasn’t Marissa’s brother?
10. Several of the items on the list were open to interpretation—do you think June did it in a way Marissa would have liked? What other ways might she have completed some of the tasks on the list?
11. If someone you loved died (or has died), what dream of his or hers would you most want to see fulfilled? What dream of yours do you fear might never happen if you died suddenly?
12. By the end of the book, June feels that she’s changed. What do you think had the biggest impact on her transformation?
Suggested by Members
Notes From the Author to the Bookclub
A note from Jill: Does your reading group have THE NEXT THING ON MY LIST or FLIP-FLOPPED on its list? I'd be happy to “join you” at your meeting, either by answering a few questions by e-mail or scheduling a 20-minute conference by speakerphone. I’ve actually been part of a reading group myself for 15 years—and while we boast that we’re possibly the worst book club in the world (we’ve had entire meetings that have consisted of, “I liked it,” “Me, too,” “Is there any more wine?”)—more often the discussion leads us to sharing ideas and reflecting on what we’ve read in a light we might not have otherwise considered. Please email me at [email protected] so we can set up a mutually convenient time. In your email, let me know how long your group has been meeting, number of members, the city and state where you’re located, a preferred date and time (if you have one) and any other information you think might be pertinent. I look forward to talking with you!Book Club Recommendations
Recommended to book clubs by 101 of 112 members.
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