Book Groups | Karen Nelson

Has your book group selected one of Karen's novels? Karen loves talking to book groups! If you want her to come chat in person (locally) or over Zoom (anywhere) she is always happy to meet readers, answer questions and chat about books and writing. Just reach out to her via her contact page.

Brooke’s family closed summer camp after the accident and Brooke has not been back to Feather River Ranch for ten years. Do you think closing summer camp was the right decision at the time?
Brooke struggles to come to terms with her role in the accident and whether it was an accident at all. When was the last time you found yourself in an unclear situation? How did you handle it?
In The Last Summer at Feather River most every character is keeping a secret. What are these secrets? When do you think it is appropriate to keep a secret and when is it not?
When she returns to Feather River, Brooke reconnects with her love of horses and riding. Are there activities you used to do as a child that you wish you still did?
Sleep-away camp is a rite of passage in some children’s lives. Did you attend summer camp? Would/did you send your own children to sleep-away camp?
Growing up, Brooke is considered a “tomboy” and often struggles to relate to the girls. Her relationship with Tommy straddles the line between friendship and romantic feelings, but it isn’t until Ethan comes along that Brooke experiences blossoming romance. What were you like as a child and when did you realize who you were attracted to?
Abby is worried about Charlie getting older and no longer being able to live at Feather River Ranch, but Charlie wants to stay at his home. Have you had to negotiate the challenges of caring for an older parent? How will you handle these issues when you’re the one needing care?

THE LAST SUMMER AT FEATHER RIVER: Discussion Questions

THE SUNKEN TOWN: Discussion Questions

Although Lindsay is adopted, she and her adoptive mother, Grace, have many characteristics in common. Throughout the novel, Lindsay also discovers traits she shares with Claire and Trey. What do you think the role of nurture vs. nature plays in who a person becomes?
Claire goes to very drastic measures to keep the Price family from finding out about Lindsay’s birth. Was it worth it? What do you think would have happened if the Price family found out? What would you have done in Claire’s situation? What about Trey’s?
Many characters including Claire, Trey, Grace and Lindsay are keeping secrets. When is it appropriate to keep a secret and when is it not?
The title The Sunken Town refers to the remnants of the town hidden beneath Lone Loon Pond, but it also could be a larger metaphor. What do you think The Sunken Town represents?
Lindsay is not interested in having children. At one point her mother, Grace, tells her “Too many generations of women were expected to be wives and mothers. I’m happy that you’re of a generation who can choose.” Do you agree with this?
Lindsay never gets to meet her birth mother Claire, but after her death, Lindsay learns about Claire through her home, friends and journal. What does Lindsay learn? What do you think the people and objects you leave behind would say about you?
Both Claire and Lindsay experience the cultural differences between California and Maine. What are these and what distinctions have you noticed when travelling between different regions of the country?
At the end of the book, Lindsay says, “I had a farmhouse and garden to learn to care for in Maine. I had a cottage with a red door and a jewelry studio waiting for me in California. And I had a dog to accompany me to both homes.” What do you think she should do next?
There are several Godfrey College traditions mentioned in the novel. Are they specific to Godfrey? What were your college’s traditions?
The Inca believed that certain spots on the earth have energy vortices including Machu Picchu. Do you believe this? Have you ever experienced a phenomenon that you couldn’t explain?