Book Club Night Kit
Book Lovers
Emily Henry
Cozy night
A whip-smart, big-hearted romance about a cutthroat literary agent who reluctantly trades Manhattan for a tiny mountain town and keeps running into her bookish rival. It's a love letter to readers, sisters, and second chapters.
Sweaters, Snacks, and Sunshine Falls
Come curl up for a cozy night with Emily Henry's Book Lovers. Bring your softest socks and your favorite reading snack opinions, we'll handle the pot pie and cider.
Reading level: Easy
Best for: a club that loves swoony romance, witty banter, and curling up with something heartwarming
Discussion
Warm-up
- 1.What was the first scene that made you smile, sigh, or hug the book a little closer?
- 2.If you'd been escaping to Sunshine Falls with Nora and Libby, what comfort items would have been in your suitcase?
Digging in
- 1.Nora is often cast as the 'city girl villain' in other people's stories. Was there a moment her softer side made you feel especially tender toward her?
- 2.Sisterhood is the warm beating heart of this book. Which Nora-and-Libby moment reminded you of someone you love?
- 3.Charlie and Nora bond over books and editing in such an intimate way. What's a small, nerdy thing someone has done that felt deeply romantic to you?
- 4.Sunshine Falls is cozy on the outside but messier underneath. What real place gives you that same complicated, comforting feeling?
Going deep
- 1.Emily Henry plays with the idea that we cast ourselves (and others) into story roles. Did the book gently nudge you to rethink a role you've been playing in your own life?
- 2.Without spoiling anything, what did this story leave you feeling about love, ambition, and letting yourself be taken care of?
On the table & to sip
To eat
Sunshine Falls chicken pot pie
A hug in pastry form, perfect for the small-town diner energy Nora and Libby fall into
Warm brown butter chocolate chip cookies
Bookish comfort classic, ideal for nibbling between chapters of conversation
Build-your-own grilled cheese bar with tomato soup shooters
Low-effort, high-coziness nod to long reading nights and homey kitchen scenes
To sip
Spiked apple cider with cinnamon sticks
Warm, mountain-town-in-summer-evenings feel for the romance readers
Hot honey-vanilla London Fog (no alcohol)
Soft, bookstore-armchair drink for the editor in all of us
Sparkling rosé in coupes
A little Manhattan literary-agent glamour to balance the country quiet
Run of show
7:00
Soft landing
Greet guests with slippers-welcome energy, hand out warm drinks, let the playlist set the porch-light mood
7:15
Cozy graze
Open the grilled cheese bar and pot pie, encourage everyone to plate up and nestle into couches
7:35
Warm-ups
Ease in with the two warm-up questions while people are still eating, no pressure to be profound
8:00
Heart of the chat
Move into the theme questions, pass cookies around, let tangents happen
8:40
Deeper sips
Refill mugs, dim the lights a touch, and slow into the two deep questions
9:10
Scorecards and send-off
Fill out scorecards together, hand out bookmarks, share next month's pick with a hug at the door
Host tips
- Tell guests in advance to wear their softest sweater or pajamas, it sets the tone immediately
- Keep a stack of throw blankets by the couch and reading lamps on instead of overheads
- If conversation lulls, ask what scene they'd reread on a rainy Sunday, it always restarts the warmth
Playlist
Soft acoustic indie and gentle pop, like string lights on a porch in summer
- 01 The Book of Love - Peter Gabriel
- 02 Cardigan - Taylor Swift
- 03 Lover - Taylor Swift
- 04 Hold On - Chord Overstreet
- 05 Put Your Records On - Corinne Bailey Rae
- 06 Bloom - The Paper Kites
- 07 First Day of My Life - Bright Eyes
- 08 Honey - Kehlani
Trivia
- 1.Who wrote Book Lovers? (Emily Henry)
- 2.In what year was Book Lovers published? (2022)
- 3.What is the profession of the main character, Nora Stephens? (Literary agent)
- 4.What is the name of the small North Carolina town the sisters visit? (Sunshine Falls)
- 5.What is the name of Nora's younger sister? (Libby)
- 6.What is the profession of Nora's bookish rival, Charlie Lastra? (Book editor)
- 7.Emily Henry is best known for writing in what genre? (Contemporary romance)
- 8.Name another Emily Henry novel released before Book Lovers. (Beach Read or People We Meet on Vacation)
Bookmarks
Print, cut, and tuck one at every seat, a small keepsake from the night.
Rate the book
Coziness☆☆☆☆☆
Swoon factor☆☆☆☆☆
Sisterhood feels☆☆☆☆☆
Banter☆☆☆☆☆
Reread potential☆☆☆☆☆
One word for how this book made me feel: ______________________
The scene I'd reread on a rainy Sunday: ______________________
A character I'd invite over for tea: ______________________
That's a wrap
Thank you for coming
We hope the company was good and the conversation even better. Until the next chapter.