The reading group should plan a tasting party. The menu should include olives, good olive oil (oliveoillovers.com), Marconi almonds, Spanish wines, crispy bread etc. Possibly a Fideuà or Paella.
Who has been to Spain? Which parts? What were your impressions?
Who were your favorite characters? Who were your least favorite characters?
Discuss the journey of grieving. How is it different and the same for all of us? Did the way Baxter handled grief drive you crazy?
Watching Mia grow and morph between a child and tiny adult throughout the book, how do you feel about how much Baxter should share with her? How do children handle tough situations?
Considering Ester’s struggles to do the right thing apropos her daughter’s love for the estate and her son’s struggles with it, have you ever had to make a difficult decision regarding the people you love? Can you relate to her having to make that decision; how do you think she handled it?
Would you do 23 and Me? Have you done it? Do you have any great stories about the process?
Do you believe that a person has only one great love?
Do you believe that a dead loved one comes back to touch you or guide you in the right direction? OR that someone you loved can reach through the beyond and touch your heart gently when you really need it?
Discuss Spanish family culture. How does it differ from American family culture? Have you or do you ever want to live abroad?
Have you ever been so moved by a concert or music that it brought you to tears? If so, what and where and who were you with?
How do you feel about siestas? Does anyone take them? What are the benefits?
A Spanish Sunrise puts you in Spain. The smells of the earth, the flowers, and herbs. Can you recall the earthy scents of places you have traveled?
Do you now have a different perspective regarding olive oil?
Let’s talk about duende, loosely translated as something having soul, almost otherworldly. What does this mean to you? Who or what do you know that has duende? Can wine or olive oil have duende?
Discuss Baxter’s change with accepting the Arroyos for himself and Mia.
Discuss how first impressions can be good or so wrong.
Discuss Booisms that we all love. Here are some favorites: “Mia inflated like an airbag in a fender bender.” or “His beard was as unkept as his lawn.”
6 Responses
I previously read The Singing Trees and An Unfinished Story – loved them both! I am halfway through A Spanish Sunrise – will finish it today, but I want more! Anything in the works? As an Italian-American who LOVES to cook, I’ll never buy cheap olive oil again! Thanks for the wonderful descriptions of the Spanish countryside and the food…
Thank you for taking the time write! A new one coming August 22nd, and then one a year after that! I can’t wait to share.
I loved this book, A Spanish Sunrise. A touching, heartfelt read. I could not put it down, reading in an afternoon. You made these characters seem so real. The best thing Baxter did was follow up with Esta AND go to Spain. Your descriptions of Baxter’s first time seeing Spain was breathtaking! I marked the pages so I can read them again & have my husband read them. Hopefully he will feel as I do & our next trip will me to Spain.
This is the first book of your I’ve read but surely will read the all.
By the way, we summer on Chebeague Island & live outside of Boston.
Your newest fan,
Marthann
Hello new friend! Thank you so much. Let’s stay in touch.
I’m am more than ready for a new good/great book! I’m reading at least 100 books this year & am running up against some real stinkers in the process.
I hope you’ll be cranking out your next book asap!
Thanks in advance.
Here’s to no more stinkers!