Book Club Discussion Questions and Guide for Christmas by the Book by Anne Marie Ryan

1. Christmas by the Book opens at The Stowford Bookshop. What were your first impressions? Did it remind you of any bookstores you have visited?
2. Nora and Simon are struggling financially at the start of the story, but when a man comes in and buys a book they've never been able to sell, it gives Simon an idea. Why does the couple decide to start the anonymous book deliveries? What six books would you choose to give away?
3. There are a number of great characters in this story, including Sam, Olwyn, Will, and Mateo. Discuss some of their backstories, and whether you connected with any in particular.
4. David Langdon is a complicated character in the book. How does he change, and how does the village's perception of him shift?
5. The magical spirit of the holidays is an important theme in Christmas by the Book. What part does Christmas play in the story, and why is it an important time of year for Nora and Simon?
6. What did you think of the fictional village of Stow- ford? In what ways do you think the story would have been different if it took place in a metropolitan city like London?
7. Discuss the role of community in this story. In what ways are Nora and Simon able to use social media to bring people together? How does it change the dynamic of Stowford?
8. Discuss how the residents of the village come together at the Stowford Bookshop Christmas party. What comes to light that evening, and how does it end up impacting the fate of the business?
9. At its heart, Christmas by the Book is a story about how books can bring us hope. How do the book deliveries connect with the recipients? What books have brought you comfort?
10. What were your thoughts about the ending, and what do you think is in store for Nora, Simon, and the bookshop?

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