Delicious Reads: "A Darker Shade of Magic" Book Club Ideas Part 2

The Fabulous Brooke moderated our book this month and she did such a great job coming up with discussion questions, decorations, food ideas and entertainment based around the book, A DARKER SHADE OF MAGIC. This girl does not disappoint.

If you don't believe me you should check out the Bossypants Book Club she moderated. Even Tina Fey herself saw this and was amazed. (SERIOUSLY! It's one of the major highlights of my life!)

And you need to see the Shadow on the Crown Book Club she moderated also. Okay I could go on and on about Brooke but let's start talking about this fabulous book club she put together.

{Decoration Ideas}

Decorations were a little easier because there is a ton of stuff you can use. First thing we saw when we arrived was a piece of wood hanging on the door with "A Stone's Throw" written on it. And it was pretty simple to make. Just find a piece of wood and write on it with permanent marker, then hang it with a rope.

Over the food table we had cloth draped with each of the four colors to make a little tent. Plus we had many objects from the book all over the room some of which were used in the game. You for sure need a Black Rock and a White Rook, coins, music box, roses, pirate things, a coat to look like the magical coat,and Robin replaced the lightbulbs in her living room with red lightbulbs. It made the ambiance feel so cool.

{Printable}
The fabulous Robin (of course) designed these engineered prints that she had done at Staples. They do prints in color now for super inexpensive. You can order online and pick it up later that day in the store. Here's the link: Staples Online Ordering
This print is 36x24

Original File

This print is 24x36

Original File

Aren't these prints gorgeous. Robin is amazing.

{Dress Up & Masquerade}
We were told to come to book club in either all black, all red, all white or all gray to go with the four London's in the book. Brooke was dressed in all Black because she claimed to be a citizen from Black London. I love how she loves to act out a part every time she moderates. She is so entertaining.

Everyone came in their colors and masks to represent the Masquerade Ball in the book. Here we have one lady from each London. I love how Jen (second from the right) actually painted a mask on with make up. Kind of genius if you ask me because my mask wouldn't stay on.

And of course we are Instagramming our night.

Check back this Friday, Jen (below) is periscoping during book club. She's going to talk all about it coming soon. If you've wondered what Periscope is then make sure to check it out soon.

{Sanct Game}

Brooke came up with a fun way to play a game using the book. Just like in the book where Kel plays Sanct and wins his magical coat there are no rules. First she gathered as many objects as she could that related to the book such as: a black rock, white rook, two swords, map, dagger, music box, roses and a ship. She also had a deck of cards. She randomly passed out a card to some people. Everyone who didn't get a playing card had to choose and item from the coffee table. Then she had a random number of acts people had to do such as:

(Examples)

Pass your object or card two times to the left.
If you are wearing black trade your object with someone else wearing black.
If you have a playing card find someone else with a card and exchange them.

You can make up all the different things to do.
The winner is determined by a staring contest. So the two people that have the White Rook and the Black Rock are in the staring contest. First one to blink loses.

It was between Bryn and Robin and it lasted longer than any of us thought, but finally Robin barely won. They almost blinked at the same time.

What a fun prize! I'm totally jealous and wish I had won.

{Discussion Quotes & Questions}

QUOTES

1) “You poor thing,” said Lila coldly . . . “What do you want? Pity? You won’t find it from me.” . . . “You have a house if not a home,” she spat. “You have people who care for you if not about you. You may not have everything you want, but I’d wager you have everything you could ever need, and you have the audacity to claim it all forfeit because it is not love.” . . . “Love doesn’t keep us from freezing to death, Kell,” she continued, “or starving, or being knifed for the coins in our pocket. Love doesn’t buy us anything, so be glad for what you have and who you have because you may want for things but you need for nothing.” (pg 234-235, cut for length)

What do you think about what Lila says?

2) “Some people steal to stay alive. Some steal to feel alive.”

Do you think what she says is true? Is there any other reason to steal or do you think it can be broken down into those two categories?

3) “Aren’t you afraid of dying?” he asked Lila now. She looked at him as if it were a strange question. And then she shook her head. “Death comes for everyone,” she said simply. “I’m not afraid of dying. But I am afraid of dying here.” She swept her hand over the room, the tavern, the city. “I’d rather die on an adventure than live standing still.”

What do you think about Lila’s perception of death? What do you think she means by “live standing still?” Do you feel like you live your life more as an adventure or like you’re standing still?

4) “Why anyone would ever pretend to be weak was beyond her.”

Do you think women still do this today? If so, why? What do you think about Lila dressing up as a man? Would you ever hide your femininity if it could help you get what you want?

5) “A life worth having is a life worth taking.”

What does this quote mean to you?

(These were also in the book review)

{Group Pic}