Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Bookish Wisdom earns from qualifying purchases. This doesn’t change our picks or your price.
Quick answer: Good discussion questions for any book are open-ended and ask readers to explain their reactions, like “Which character did you connect with most, and why?” or “Was the ending satisfying?” Below are 25 universal questions grouped into opening, characters, plot, themes and personal connection.
Quick facts
Number of questions: 25
Grouped into: 5 categories
Best use: pick 8 to 12 per meeting
Works for: fiction, and most of it for nonfiction too
Not every book comes with a reading guide, and even when it does, the questions can feel stiff. That’s why every book club host should keep a set of universal discussion questions handy. These 25 questions work for almost any novel, and most work for memoirs and nonfiction too. They start broad, move into characters, plot and themes, and end with personal reflection, which is a natural flow for a meeting.
Table of Contents
Opening Questions
- What was your overall reaction to the book, in one word or sentence?
- Did the book meet your expectations? Why or why not?
- Which scene or passage has stayed with you the most?
- Would you recommend this book to a friend? Who would enjoy it?
- How did the opening pages shape your expectations?
Characters
- Which character did you connect with most, and why?
- Which character frustrated you the most?
- Did any character change significantly over the course of the book?
- If you could ask one character a question, what would it be?
- Were the characters’ choices believable?
Plot and Structure
- Were there any twists you saw coming, or any that surprised you?
- How did the setting shape the story?
- What did you think of the way the story was told, such as the narrator, timeline or structure?
- Was the ending satisfying? How would you change it?
- Which moment felt like the turning point of the story?
Themes and Meaning
- What do you think the author wanted readers to take away?
- What does the title mean, and does it fit the book?
- Which themes felt most relevant to today?
- Did the book change your opinion about anything?
- What questions does the book leave unanswered?
Personal Connection
- Did the book remind you of any experiences in your own life?
- Did it remind you of any other book, movie or show?
- How would you have acted in the main character’s situation?
- Did reading this book with a group change how you saw it?
- If this book were a movie, who would you cast in the lead roles?
How to Use These Questions
- Pick 8 to 12 questions per meeting; you won’t get through all 25.
- Start with an opening question to warm up the group.
- Follow up with “why?” to get deeper answers.
- Mix universal questions with book-specific ones about key scenes.
- Print them or put them on cards so members can choose questions at random.
For a ready-made option, many groups use a deck of book club question cards, which add a game-like feel to meetings.
How to Adapt These Questions for Nonfiction
For memoirs and nonfiction, swap character questions for ones about the author and their argument. Ask what the author wanted readers to understand, which facts or stories surprised you, whether the book changed your mind, how the author’s background shaped their view and what you’d still like to know. For memoirs specifically, talk about memory and honesty: how much can anyone truly remember, and does it matter if some details were reconstructed?
How to Write Your Own Book Club Questions
Universal questions are a great backup, but a few book-specific questions make a discussion memorable. As you read, mark scenes where a character makes a big choice, where you felt strongly or where you were confused. Turn each one into an open question: “Why do you think she lied to her sister in chapter 12?” Avoid questions with a single right answer, and include at least one question about the ending. Three or four custom questions plus a handful from this list is the perfect mix.
A Sample Meeting Using These Questions
Here’s how a 60-minute discussion might flow. Open with question 1, asking everyone to describe the book in a word, which takes about 10 minutes and reveals where opinions differ. Move to questions 6 and 7 about favorite and most frustrating characters, and spend 15 minutes there, since characters usually spark the most debate. Next, use questions 14 and 15 about the ending and turning point for another 15 minutes. Spend 10 minutes on themes with questions 16 and 18, then close with question 23 or 25 for a lighter, personal finish. You’ll have used just seven questions, which is plenty when the conversation flows.
Save this page or print the list, and you’ll never be stuck without something to ask, even when the book you picked has no official reading guide.
Related: how to run a book club meeting and how to choose book club books.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are good general book club questions?
Open-ended questions like “Which character did you relate to most?”, “What did you think of the ending?” and “What do you think the author wanted us to take away?” work for almost any book.
How many discussion questions do you need for a book club?
Eight to 12 questions is usually enough for a 45- to 60-minute discussion.
How do you start a book club discussion?
Begin with a broad question, like asking everyone to rate the book or describe it in one word, to get everyone talking.
Do these questions work for nonfiction?
Most do. Swap character questions for ones about the author’s argument, research and what you learned.
What questions should you avoid in a book club?
Avoid yes-or-no questions and ones with a single right answer, like plot recall. Open-ended questions about choices, feelings and meaning lead to better conversations.
Should the host share questions before the meeting?
Sharing a few questions in advance helps quieter members prepare their thoughts, but keep some in reserve so the discussion still feels fresh.