Get The God of the Woods book club questions (without spoilers!) to better discuss Liz Moore’s thought-provoking, emotional Fallon Book Club pick on Barack Obama’s summer reading list and recently named Book of the Month’s (and my) best book of the year. This novel set in summer blends elements of mystery books, family drama novels, and historical fiction into one captivating read you can binge in one or two sittings, as I did.
You’ll also get book club ideas and printables like a bingo card game to easily make your meeting fun and topical. Let’s get literary!
Why The God of the Woods Is A Good Book Club Book
In The God of the Woods, 13-year-old Barbara Van Laar vanishes from Camp Emerson, which her family owns, in 1975. This disappearance comes after her brother Bear’s mysterious disappearance from the camp 14 years prior and unravels deep secrets and tensions among the camp’s wealthy owners and working-class locals.
The God of the Woods is a good book for book clubs because it is ripe with discussion-worthy themes of secrets, survival, class differences, gender differences, and justice. This five-star read is also filled with intriguing plot twists and is propulsive for readers to binge.
Read more in my full review of The God of the Woods.
The God of the Woods Book Club Questions (Without Spoilers)
What is the meaning of the title, The God of the Woods?
What does the cover art represent (particularly, the pink drip)?
Some readers consider The God of the Woods to be an unputdownable book, while others consider it to be a slow-burn. Which one was it for you?
In what format did you listen to The God of the Woods, and how did it affect your reading experience?
Did you like or dislike the many points of view from The God of the Woods characters?
Did the changing timelines confuse you?
Did you see and/or utilize the map at the beginning of The God of the Woods in reading it?
Why do you think the author chose an Adirondack camp setting for The God of the Woods?
If you attended summer camp, how did this one compare and contrast?
How did the 1950s-1970s timing affect this story?
How does Bear’s disappearance impact the characters?
Why do the characters choose to keep secrets?
What does the name of the Van Laar’s family home, “Self-Reliance,” symbolize?
Discuss the theme of class in The God of the Woods.
Discuss the theme of gender in The God of the Woods.
Discuss the dynamics of the Van Laar family.
What does survival mean in The God of the Woods, both literally and figuratively?
What roles do Slitter and Scary Mary play?
Who was your favorite female character and why?
Why does T.J. do what she does for Barbara?
What did you think happened to Bear and Barbara?
Was justice served?
How did revelations of the truth change the lives of the characters?
Many readers have had astute questions about the details of the ending of The God of the Woods. Do you?
What do you think will happen next to these characters?
Free Printable PDF Discussion Questions
FREE PRINTABLE BOOK CLUB GUIDE
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Book Club Food and Activity Ideas
- Eat: Camp food like smores and grilled food.
- Do: Camp activities like hiking, ghost story telling, survival courses, and bracelet making.
Similar Books to Read Next
If you loved these The God of the Woods book club questions, discuss these at your next meeting:
remember, it’s a good day to read a book. – jules
