Discussion Questions
for The Twenty
- Have you ever undertaken a challenge, physical or otherwise, to mark a milestone birthday, anniversary, graduation, or achievement? If so, what was it and how did it go?
- Who is your favorite character and why? Who is your least favorite character and why? Did you identify with a specific character and why?
- Which character in the book would you most like to meet?
- If you could hear this same story from another character’s point of view, who would you choose?
- If you made a movie of The Twenty, who would you cast?
- Do you have a favorite quote from the book? What is it and why did it stand out for you?
- What feelings did The Twenty evoke for you?
- What aspects of the author’s story could you most relate to?
- How honest do you think the author was?
- Were there gaps in the story you wish the author had filled in and were there points where you thought she shared too much?
- Why do you think the author chose to tell this story? Does it have universal appeal, or is it of interest only to a maturing population?
- If you could ask the author one question, what would it be?
- Did you race to the end, or was it more of a slow read?
- Is there one scene that has stuck with you the most?
- Does The Twenty make you want to visit Corsica? Why or why not?
- Do you like the book’s title? How does it relate to the book’s contents? What other title might you choose?
- What do you think of the book’s cover? How well does it convey what the book is about? Do you have a different idea?
- Why do you think the author wrote this book? What was she trying to convey?
- Did you know anything about the GR20 or the GR trail system before you read this book?
- What new things did you learn, and do you still have questions?
- Did you like the writing, and would you want to read another book by this author?
Discussion Questions
for Gap Year Girl
- If you were able to take a Gap Year, what would you do? Where would you go? With whom would you go or would you go alone?
- What barriers — financial, emotional, logistical, and other — would you have to overcome in order to take a year off?
- Discuss what specific steps you could take to minimize homesickness while away.
- Which of the destinations the author visited intrigued you most and why? Which least interested you and why?
- Have you visited any of the places in the book and if so, were your experiences similar or different from those of the author?
- Discuss the pros and cons of taking an Adult Gap Year/Senior Year Abroad. Are you considering taking one in the future?
- Did you like the author and her husband? Why or why not? Do they seem like people you’d like to spend time with?
- If you spent a year away, how would you record your experience? Journals, podcasts, blogs, online photo albums? How often do you expect you would communicate with loved ones at home?
- While thinking back about the author’s year away, is there anything you would do differently if you had been in her shoes?
- Discuss the role adventure plays in your life. Do you actively search out adventure or try to avoid it? Would you like to have more or less adventure in your life?
- What is most important to you when you travel? Meeting people? Learning about the culture? Visiting museums? Hiking the countryside? Eating the local food? Relaxing?
- Are there differences between travel and vacations? If so, what are they?
- Is there one scene that has stuck with you the most?
- Does The Twenty make you want to visit Corsica? Why or why not?
- Do you like the book’s title? How does it relate to the book’s contents? What other title might you choose?
- What do you think of the book’s cover? How well does it convey what the book is about? Do you have a different idea?
- Why do you think the author wrote this book? What was she trying to convey?
- Did you know anything about the GR20 or the GR trail system before you read this book?
- What new things did you learn, and do you still have questions?
- Did you like the writing, and would you want to read another book by this author?
for Gap Year Girl
