Book Discussion Questions
Possible Book Discussion Questions:
Reflections on a Changing Family: A Recipe Book of Life
1. What do you think was Ethel’s biggest challenge?....The giving up of her Swedish culture? Having to replace her middle class values with the values of generational poverty? The family’s lack of money? Or, the lack of her being able to work in business?
2. What truth revealed to Linda most resonates with you?
3. Is there any truth with which you don’t agree?
4. What do you feel is the book’s greatest asset? Its greatest drawback?
5. Do you think Carol was chosen to fill the role of mom because of her birth order or because of her personality?
6. If Linda would have been an only child, how would that have changed where she is today?
7. What appeared to be the most responsible for the author’s healing and growth?…The fire? The process of writing of her life’s story? The embracing of her wounded child? The reflections of how the past relates to the present?
8. Did the personalities of the kids seem to fit your knowledge of birth order?
9. What do you think was Linda’s family’s greatest strength? Weakness?
10. Why do you suppose Linda’s parents and siblings agreed to have this story published?
11. What values were passed down from generation to generation?
12. Did Linda appear to mostly adopt the values of her mom or of her dad?
13. Is it healthy to unbury our negative emotions and experiences?
14. What value is placed on food today? In earlier days?
15. Can families eat together today as they did in the 50’s and 60’s?
16. Do you feel that food can be used to heal?
17. What are you food memories?
Reflections on a Changing Family: A Recipe Book of Life
1. What do you think was Ethel’s biggest challenge?....The giving up of her Swedish culture? Having to replace her middle class values with the values of generational poverty? The family’s lack of money? Or, the lack of her being able to work in business?
2. What truth revealed to Linda most resonates with you?
3. Is there any truth with which you don’t agree?
4. What do you feel is the book’s greatest asset? Its greatest drawback?
5. Do you think Carol was chosen to fill the role of mom because of her birth order or because of her personality?
6. If Linda would have been an only child, how would that have changed where she is today?
7. What appeared to be the most responsible for the author’s healing and growth?…The fire? The process of writing of her life’s story? The embracing of her wounded child? The reflections of how the past relates to the present?
8. Did the personalities of the kids seem to fit your knowledge of birth order?
9. What do you think was Linda’s family’s greatest strength? Weakness?
10. Why do you suppose Linda’s parents and siblings agreed to have this story published?
11. What values were passed down from generation to generation?
12. Did Linda appear to mostly adopt the values of her mom or of her dad?
13. Is it healthy to unbury our negative emotions and experiences?
14. What value is placed on food today? In earlier days?
15. Can families eat together today as they did in the 50’s and 60’s?
16. Do you feel that food can be used to heal?
17. What are you food memories?
