Book Club Discussion Questions and Guide for The Memory Library by Kate Storey

1. What was your first impression of Ella, and did that change by the end of the book?
2. Do you think Sally should have told Ella the truth about her father after his death, or even before?
3. The question of when we learn to see our parents as individuals, rather than through the lens of being their child, is addressed in the book. Did that resonate with you?
4. Do you have a favorite supporting character? If so, why do you think you were attracted to them?
5. How do you feel about the relationship between Sally and Andrew at the end?
6. Do you prefer books set in real or fictional places? Have you ever been to Greenwich? If you have, do you think it was depicted well?
7. Do you use your local library? If so, what services do you take advantage of that your library offers? Why do you think libraries are important?
8. How did you feel about Sally's community? Did the community in the book make you think about your own community and your place in it?
9. Why do you think readers gravitate towards books about books?
10. Have you ever read a novel that changed your view of the world?
11. Is there a book with a special meaning that you would add to Sally and Ella's library? What would you hope they might learn from it?
12. If you were to start your own memory library, which would be the first book you choose, and why? Have you considered starting a memory library for someone else since reading the book?
13. Do you know someone with dementia, or someone with a relative who has the disease? What did you think of the way the author portrayed Sally's condition?
14. Ella frequently thinks that if she were Queen of the World she would take a specific action. What did you think of this strategy? If you were Queen or King of the World, what change would you make?
15. Ella drops everything to help out her mother and straighten out her affairs – at first very grudgingly but later enthusiastically. What do you feel caused this change in attitude? How much responsibility should children take for their aging parents, in your opinion?
16. Sally quotes Virginia Woolf to Verity, telling her she needs a room of her own to be successful. What did you think of this advice? Do you have a room of your own, and if so, does it have a special purpose?
17. Pru tells Ella, "Comparison is the thief of joy." What do you suppose she means? Do you agree?
18. Is there a quote or scene in the novel that stood out for you? Why do you suppose it resonated?
19. What audience would you recommend The Memory Library to? Is there another book or author you feel has a similar theme or style?
20. Overall, what did you think of The Memory Library? (no spoilers, please!)

Unless otherwise stated, this discussion guide is reprinted with the permission of HarperCollins Publishers. Any page references refer to a USA edition of the book, usually the trade paperback version, and may vary in other editions.