Book Club Night Kit

Careless People

Sarah Wynn-Williams

Cozy night

A former Facebook policy executive gives a candid, sometimes funny, often unsettling insider's account of life inside one of the world's most powerful companies. It's a good pick for a warm evening of honest talk about work, conscience, and the technology in our pockets.

Log Off, Cozy Up

Join us for warm pies, mulled wine, and heartfelt talk about Careless People. Bring your slippers and your stories about the jobs and apps that shaped you.

Reading level: Easy

Best for: Clubs who like a story that sparks heartfelt 'that reminds me of my own job' conversations over a bowl of something warm

Discussion

Warm-up

1.Before we open the book, what does your own relationship with Facebook or social media feel like right now: an old friend, a guilty pleasure, or something you've quietly drifted away from?
2.The author starts out hopeful that technology could do real good in the world. What were you hopeful about when you first joined a social network, and does any of that hope still linger?

Digging in

1.Which moment in the book made you laugh out loud or shake your head, and how did it feel to laugh at something that was also a little alarming?
2.The author describes long hours, constant travel, and huge demands while trying to hold a family life together. Did any of her juggling feel familiar to you, and what helped you through your own stretch of 'too much'?
3.Have you ever worked somewhere you believed in at first, then started to feel uneasy about? How did the author's experience of that slow shift sit with you emotionally?
4.Was there a point where you felt real tenderness or compassion for the author, and was there a point where you wanted to reach into the pages and give her some advice?

Going deep

1.The title echoes a famous line about people who break things and let others clean up the mess. After finishing, who did you find yourself feeling most protective of, and why did they stay with you?
2.Speaking up can cost a person a lot. Having read the whole story, how did it change the way you feel about the times you've spoken up, or stayed quiet, in your own life?

On the table & to sip

To eat

Mini Kiwi Mince and Cheese Pies

A nod to the author's New Zealand roots, these hand-held savory pies are cozy, filling, and easy to bake from store-bought pastry.

Tomato Soup Shooters with Grilled Cheese Soldiers

The ultimate comfort food for anyone who has worked too many late nights, a gentle reminder to take care of ourselves after a book full of burnout.

Mini Pavlovas with Whipped Cream and Berries

New Zealand's beloved dessert, sweet and a little indulgent, with a crisp shell and soft heart that fits a story about idealism meeting reality.

To sip

Honey Flat Whites or Rich Hot Chocolate (no alcohol)

The flat white is a Kiwi and Australian cafe staple, a warm tribute to where the author began. Offer hot chocolate for anyone skipping caffeine.

Slow-Cooker Mulled Wine

A pot simmering with orange and spice makes the room smell like a hug, perfect for a long, unhurried conversation.

Honey Whiskey Hot Toddy

Soothing and warming, the kind of drink you'd want after a long flight or an even longer day at the office.