Ultimately, Queenie is a profoundly human protagonist. Welcome to Hello Saturday’s September’s Book Club Pick!! They aren’t that far apart in age, yet, they both approach the world so differently. “Our people don’t do therapy” – do you think mental health in the immigrant community is accurately portrayed here? What do you make of Queenie’s relationship with her younger cousin Diana? Why do you think mental health is such a taboo topic in so many communities? –PopSugar, "Candice Carty-Williams, a young Londoner, has a flair for story-telling that appears effortlessly authentic. –US Weekly, "[A] brazenly hilarious, tell-it-like-it-is first novel." –Kirkus Reviews, starred review, "A charming read for fans of women's fiction; Carty-Williams sets herself apart with her relatable and poignant writing." –PureWow, "This bloody brilliant novel is heralded as 'Bridget Jones’s Diary meets Americanah,' and you’ll be sold from page one." There is a lot of humour in the way she interprets the things she hears and a lot of sadness too when adults try to keep things from her and she totally misunderstands situations. –Bustle, "Love a book that gives you all the feels? Discussion Questions: 1 Before you read Before We Were Yours, did you know the historical side of adoption and that there was a black market for babies back then? Her book navigates a whole host of topics from female friendship, mental health, sex, race, therapy, gentrification, the list is endless. She’s not easy to love at times, and many readers will find themselves exasperated with her, but her trials are so very real and relatable. Queeie Candice Carty-Williams, 2019 Gallery/Scout Press 336 pp. The story hurtles along at an incredible pace, following Queenie as she faces misfortune after misfortune, and makes a series of increasingly questionable choices. Virtually the entire thing is about Queenie making terrible choices with men, talking about men, thinking about men, being used by men and not once actually meeting a … I had the pleasure of joining Renée for a fun chat that gave side-by-side treatment to BMGDE. And why do you think she did so in those moments? How do you think Queenie’s relationship with race changes throughout the story? Besides the below book club questions, remember, the easiest way to be a participant at the book club is to be an active reader. People are going to love it.” –Nina Stibbe, author of Love, Nina, "An irresistible portrait of a young Jamaican-British woman living in London that grows deeper as it goes." She is also the author of The Love Song of Miss Queenie Hennessy, The Music Shop, and the digital short story A Faraway Smell of Lemon and is the award-winning writer of more than thirty original afternoon plays and classic adaptations for BBC Radio 4. –O, The Oprah Magazine, "Vibrant, confused and honest, Queenie is a relatable heroine for modern times." ... Black Girls Must Die Exhausted, along with Queenie, was an April selection for the Book Girl Magic community. –Hey Alma, "Carty-Williams adds her voice to a timely conversation about mental health, sex and womanhood." We hope that these ideas will enrich your conversation and increase your enjoyment of the book. Firstly the good things about the book are the writing, especially the natural dialogue, and the fact that Queenie does get that … Book club notes on The Love Song of Miss Queenie Hennessy by Rachel Joyce. How does the final scene leave you feeling? What's the Deal With Gua Sha and Jade Rolling. Would you have ended the story differently? Get a FREE e-book by joining our mailing list today! There are myriad layers to uncover in the book. This reading group guide for Queenie includes an introduction, discussion questions, and ideas for enhancing your book club. full terms and conditions and this month's choices, Fiction > African American > Contemporary Women, Staff Picks: 12 Books We’re Raving about This Black History Month, 9 Amazing #OwnVoices Books by BIPOC Authors to Read Now, Hygge Home Sweepstakes: Enter for a Chance to Win a Cozy Winter Reading Bundle, 5 Beloved Characters We’re Thankful to Have in Our Lives, The Mary Tyler Moore TBR: 8 Books with Awesome Women to Feed Your Inner Mary Richards, Adulting Is Hard: 6 Clever Novels that Capture the Struggles of Millennials, Author Picks: 5 Novels That Perfectly Capture the Wonderful and Messy Nature of Complicated Families, Track by Track: 5 Books to Read after Listening to Halsey’s, The Perfect Blend: 12 Book and Tea Pairings, Our Black History Month TBR: 8 Impactful Books We Couldn’t Put Down, 9 Picks Your Book Club Will Love This Winter, 6 Fantastic Novels New in Paperback This November, 6 Powerful Stories You Need to Read for World Mental Health Day, 5 Books that Remind Me of Past Relationships—and My Present Love, Roxane Gay Recommends: 10 Books Straight Off Her Shelf, 12 Novels That Will Take You on an Adventure Around the World, 12 Perfectly Bodied Book-and-Wine Pairings, #IAmQueenie: 7 Books Raising Awareness About Mental Health, The 5 Best Books I Judged by Their Covers, Enter for a Chance to Win the Perfect South of France Adventure, 9 Books to Read During Black History Month and Every Month, 2019 Bookish Resolution to Read More Owned Voices, 20 Most Anticipated Books to Add to Your TBR, Author Photo (jpg): Candice Carty-Williams, Publisher: Gallery/Scout Press (November 5, 2019). (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Who's That Gal: Mavis Hicks, Founder of Beauty N Simplicity, Who's That Gal: Jhenane Joseph, Founder of Natural Love Skincare Products by JJ, Who's That Gal: Savannah Williams, Founder of Savvy Cocoa’s. –Woman's Day, “My favorite novel this year. Queenie may be saying that she and her friends are "decent" for a number of different reasons. Queenie is a twenty-five-year-old Black woman living in south London, straddling Jamaican and British culture whilst slotting neatly into neither. After winning book of the year at this year’s British Book Awards, we just know we’re onto a goodun here! –Sharlene Teo, award-winning author of Ponti, “This book isn't even out yet and people are talking about it. ISBN-13: 9781501196010 Summary Bridget Jones’s Diary meets Americanah in this disarmingly honest, boldly political, and truly inclusive novel that will speak to anyone who has gone looking for love and found something very different in its place. –All About Romance, "I'm reading Queenie by Candice Carty-Williams. Thank you for signing up, fellow book lover! This is a book club, after all. If there is anything right in the world, Candice Carty-Williams is going to be a literary superstar.” –AJ Pearce, author of Dear Mrs. Bird, "Queenie is the best mate we all want—funny, sharp, and more than a little vulnerable. I'm all about the Biography and non fiction.Give me a story about a woman who has lived and thrived in the changing Eras of our history and I'm hooked and it'll definitely make my book club … I’ve found that the best book club discussion questions are ones that are open-ended and that get people to share their personal opinions. Joyce was named the Specsavers National Book Awards “New Writer of the Year” in 2012. We hope that these ideas will enrich your conversation and increase your enjoyment of the book. See full terms and conditions and this month's choices. You asked about the queenies so get ready for me! As a friend, what advice would you have given her? How does it impact her choices? “Brilliant, timely, funny, heartbreaking.” –Jojo Moyes, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Me Before You, "A must-read novel about sex, selfhood, and the best friendships that get us through it all." When danger strikes close to home, Queenie finds an ally in Mrs O’Leary, whose two sons are the kingpins of the East End. I can't articulate how completely and utterly blown away I am." With “fresh and honest” (Jojo Moyes) prose, Queenie is a remarkably relatable exploration of what it means to be a modern woman searching for meaning in today’s world. –AM New York, "They say Queenie is Black Bridget Jones meets Americanah. 3. ... How might things have been different for Harold and Maureen if she had told him about Queenie’s visit to the house in which she explained why she took the blame? After a messy break up from her long-term white boyfriend, Queenie seeks comfort in all the wrong places…including several hazardous men who do a good job of occupying brain space and a bad job of affirming self-worth. –Good Housekeeping, "Carty-Williams deftly depicts a woman struggling through depression and self-destruction, and offers an astute commentary on prejudice in Britain today." Queenie is one such book, which provides a look at being black and female in modern day England. New book club pick: The Love Song of Miss Queenie Hennessy A taciturn woman realizes it’s not too late to declare her love. In turns hilariously funny and quietly devastating, Queenie is an important, timely story." by Books to Barbells Book Club, July 26, 2020. In her own letter, included at the end of The Love Song of Miss Queenie Hennessy, Rachel Joyce says that the patients at St Bernadine’s are a "chorus for Queenie—her backing vocals." I'm loving it." Basically, the second the book opened with Queenie in stirrups at her gynecologist’s office, I knew I was sold. I loved Queenie and was cheering her on all the way. –Louise O'Neill, bestselling author of Asking for It, "A really special book with much to say about black female identity, sexual politics, group chats, emotional becoming in a way that feels totally unforced. • Queenie by Candice Carty-Williams is published by Trapeze (£12.99). Queenie is the sort of novel you just can’t stop talking about and want everyone you know to read. –Hello Giggles, "Meet Queenie Jenkins, a 25-year-old Jamaican British woman who works for a London newspaper, is struggling to fit in, is dealing with a breakup, and is making all kinds of questionable decisions. Want to see these questions in action, and join a fun monthly online book club (no awkward silences, promise!)? All I wanted to do when I finished was to open book two.” –Cathy Rentzenbrink, bestselling author of The Last Act of Love, "Queenie has all the things you want in a debut novel—a startlingly fresh voice, characters you fall in love with from the very first page, and a joyous turn of phrase that makes this book almost impossible to put down. Queenie by Candice Carty-Williams. September Book Club. How is her approach to race different than her friend Kyazike’s, and why do you think that is? We announce the book selection on the first Monday of the month and discuss on the last Monday of the month at 9:00pm … What do you think they could have done differently? Laurie Grassi Updated November 16, 2014 She’s Jamaican-British, and doesn’t fit into either label, and this informs so much of the story and her actions. Her title character is a woman you both know and cannot forget... Carty-Williams has taken a black woman’s story and made it a story of the age." –BuzzFeed, "The story of how 25-year-old Queenie Jenkins balances her Jamaican and British heritages while navigating professional inequalities and romantic dilemmas is Black and brilliant all on its own." Queenie's response takes the concept of decency one step further. How do you think class impacts Queenie’s relationships, and her outlook on life? Book Club Discussion Questions Are Available for Download! –Black Girls Book Club, "In this Bridget Jones-esque story, a Jamaican British woman working at a London newspaper seeks comfort in the wrong places after a messy breakup from her white boyfriend." 2. She is not only referring to what she and the other two girls are wearing, but to who they are as people—decent girls. It's also clever and funny and has the most glorious cover." Follow her on Twitter and Instagram @CandiceC_W. To order Queenie Malone’s Paradise Hotel for £13.19, Questions I Am Asked About the Holocaust for £11.43, or With the End in Mind for £8.79, go … Debut author Candice Carty-Williams has created a truly one-of-a-kind heroine in Queenie, whose story is universally relatable without ever flinching in the face of challenging subjects that are more important now than ever. –Ruth Ware, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Woman in Cabin 10, "The protagonist of this debut novel has been dubbed the 'black Bridget Jones' and comes from England buoyed by praise from Jojo Moyes. We meet in a private Facebook group and chat about a new book every month. She works at a national newspaper, where she’s constantly forced to compare herself to her white middle-class peers. Young Queenie grew up in the backstreets of Whitechapel during World War II, which was a real-life lesson in survival. Plus, receive recommendations for your next Book Club read. The suggested questions are intended to help your reading group find new and interesting angles and topics for your discussion. The story by Candice Carty-Williams will have you careening from relatable cringes to laughter to tears." Kirkus calls Queenie, “A black Bridget Jones, perfectly of the moment,” and I am deeply inclined to agree." –Time Magazine, “Poignant… [with] an irresistible heroine.” –Seattle Times, “This book is equal parts millennial comedy and treatise on modern race relations, and a work of fiction that leaps from the page as all truth, no filler.” –NPR, “I found this book to be the most important one I’ve read for twentysomethings struggling with self-acceptance—especially in the modern dating world… Carty-Williams does a fantastic job of creating a relatable character who learns that acceptance comes from within.” –Book Riot, "Candice Carty-William represents Black Girl Magic to the fullest... QUEENIE named after the name character follows a young black woman post-break-up on a journey full of pain, honesty, and undeniable wit." Queenie seems to live her life craving validation from people around her, not standing up for herself, putting others before her and allowing people to treat her horribly. –Bernardine Evaristo, author of Mr. Loverman, “I ate up Queenie in one greedy, joyous gulp. “[B]rilliant, timely, funny, heartbreaking.” —Jojo Moyes, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Me Before You For fans of Luster and I May Destroy You, a disarmingly honest, unapologetically black, and undeniably witty debut novel that will speak to those who have gone looking for love and found something very different in its place.Queenie Jenkins is a twenty-five-year-old Jamaican British woman living in London, straddling two cultures and slotting neatly into neither. I m the "B" part of the Book Club Queen. Candice Carty-Williams is a senior marketing executive at Vintage. Are there certain moments you want to root for her more than others? I came to Queenie just as I’d hit a bit of a general life slump… A trio of girlfriends offers support via text messages; we can’t wait to meet them all." Filthy, funny, and profound." 'Queenie' Author On 16 Best Books by Black Women. Carty-Williams doesn’t mince words when it comes to the thorny issues inherent to interracial relationships (platonic, romantic and professional), and what happens when they aren’t addressed. Candice Carty- Williams’ Queenie is a stellar and uplifting novel that follows Queenie, a young black woman from London. –Stacey Halls, author of The Familiars, "Hilarious and off the wall and tender." This month, we had the pleasure of reading Queenie by Candice Carty-Williams – winner of the British Book Awards Book of the Year. This smart, funny, and tender debut embraces a modern woman's messiness." –BET, Any use of an author photo must include its respective photo credit. ), however the body of work concerning the black experience in other countries isn’t as easy to come by. In America, we have access to a lot of literature about the black experience in the US (although, still, not nearly enough! Queenie Jenkins is a 25-year-old Jamaican-British woman, a newspaper reporter in London, forced to re-evaluate her life choices after a bad breakup with her white boyfriend. Do you think, as Queenie changes throughout the novel, some of the peripheral characters also change and grow? Offer redeemable at Simon & Schuster's ebook fulfillment partner. Queenie Malone's Paradise Hotel is a gorgeously written piece of fiction that tackles big-picture topics when it comes to family dynamics. I may be biased, but Mom's Book Nook is the best online moms book club you'll find. –Taylor Jenkins Reid, New York Times bestselling author of Daisy Jones & The Six, "Queenie goes on heartbreaking, hopeful, sometimes funny, and always relatable journey." In other words, she's highly relatable. Add on its fascinating and unique cast of characters, and it's a book that's difficult to put down. –Newsday, "You’ll read Queenie, a novel about a young Jamaican British woman trying to find her place in London, in one day. I am hooked." This is so much more than the “black Bridget Jones”; it may have a similar style of comedy, but beyond that, it’s a sharp commentary on what it’s like to be a young black woman in the UK. She contributes regularly to i-D, Refinery29, BEAT Magazine, and more, and her pieces, especially those about blackness, sex, and identity, have been shared globally. ), however the body of work concerning the black experience in other countries isn’t as easy to come by. Do you think Queenie and her family approach race issues differently? In 2016, she created and launched the Guardian and 4th Estate BAME Short Story Prize, which aims to find, champion, and celebrate underrepresented writers. –USA Today, "You'll likely feel seen while reading this (yes, it's that relatable), an example of what happens when you go looking for love and find something else instead." Author interviews, book reviews and lively book commentary are found here. Lots to enjoy and think about. It may be best to ... What themes later explored in the book are set out in the opening description of the trip to the British Empire Exhibition and Queenie’s first encounter with a black man? –Roxane Gay, New York Times bestselling author of Bad Feminist, via Twitter, "Candice Carty-Williams delivers a hilarious roller coaster of a story." –Newsday, “Adorable, funny, heartbreaking. Queenie is her first novel. –BookPage, "In what is perhaps the funniest novel on this list, a 25-year-old Jamaican-British journalist finds herself single again after her longterm relationship with her white boyfriend goes in the bin." A site dedicated to book lovers providing a forum to discover and share commentary about the books and authors they enjoy. Queenie, the character and the novel, are both brave and hugely funny. Hello, Bonjour, Hola, Hollar!!!! By clicking 'Sign me up' I acknowledge that I have read and agree to the privacy policy and terms of use. © 2021 Simon & Schuster, Inc. All rights reserved. This reading group guide for Queenie includes an introduction, discussion questions, and ideas for enhancing your book club. Our Reading Guide for Queenie by Candice Carty-Williams includes Book Club Discussion Questions, Book Reviews, Plot Summary-Synopsis and Author Bio. What are the instances in the book when you think she chose herself? Snort your tea out funny one moment and utterly heart breaking the next, (and with the best cast of characters you’ll read all year), I absolutely loved it. –Essence, "Queenie is, quite simply, the best novel I’ve read this year so far... Queenie is an incredibly well-written, compelling novel about life in a modern London for young black women." This was a book club read and not the usual genre I would opt for, which may have contributed to my overall negative experience reading it. –Nikesh Shukla, author of The One Who Wrote Destiny, "Candice Carty-Williams is a fantastic new writer who has written a deliciously funny, characterful, topical, and thrilling novel for our times." Tell your book club about them. Why are you doing it? How do you think their relationship evolves? Which of her friends do you think you most relate to in your friend circle? Why is it so hard for her to discuss it and stand up to micro and macroaggressions so many times? Digital products purchased from this site are sold by Simon & Schuster Digital Sales Inc. Don't miss our eBook deals starting at $0.99! Suggested book and reading club discussion questions for The Love Song of Miss Queenie Hennessy. Queenie Jenkins is a 25-year-old Jamaican British woman living in London, straddling two cultures and slotting neatly into neither. A must read for '19." How does it show up in her workplace, and amongst her friends and family? The perfect book club is made up of three key things: a great reading selection, yummy snacks, and a lively discussion. Share this Moving, unforgettable and guaranteed to change the way you think about dying, how one lives with regret and, of course, love, The Love Song of Miss Queenie Hennessy is Rachel Joyce’s parallel story to the bestselling book The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry . Book Club Discussion Questions for 'Queenie' by Candice Carty-Williams In America, we have access to a lot of literature about the black experience in the US (although, still, not nearly enough! Were you […] How do they impact Queenie’s world, the people in it, and her relationships to them? How do you think their experiences of being black in the UK are different from each other’s? The suggested questions are intended to help your reading group find new and interesting angles and topics for your discussion. If you’re ready to start a book club, here’s 40 of the best book club questions, for fiction and nonfiction alike. Free eBook offer available to NEW US subscribers only. After a messy break up from her long-term white… September’s book club pick needs no introduction but we’re going to serve you one up anyway. Suggested book and reading club discussion questions for The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry. After hearing about all the books that the members of your book club love, choose one for your next discussion. Who do you want to be?”—all of the questions today’s woman must face in a world trying to answer them for her. Neither does she shield the reader from the seamy underbelly of love, sex and intimacy and how they can sometimes spiral into something entirely different and damaging. Tell us what you like and we'll recommend books you'll love. And if not, why is that? We are pleased to announce that for the month of September, we will be reading ‘Queenie’ by Candice Carty-Williams.. ONE OF TIME’S 100 BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR ONE OF NPR’S BEST BOOKS OF 2019 NAMED ONE OF THE MOST ANTICIPATED BOOKS OF 2019 BY WOMAN’S DAY, NEWSDAY, PUBLISHERS WEEKLY, BUSTLE, AND BOOK RIOT! At the same time, it’s also just a reference on what it’s like to be a woman with insecurities, issues, trauma and concerns that we can all, on some level at least, relate. Is there a sequel planned? But while the O’Learys are the light in Queenie’s life, fate has a different path in store for her. –Time.com, "Queenie is the book for anyone who has ever asked: who am I? Written by a new and exciting young woman, it's articulate, brave and, in the new parlance, 'woke.' It’s that good." Queenie is the newest debut sensation coming out of the UK by Candace Carte-Williams. Do you think Queenie and Briny were at fault for losing their children? I loved climbing inside her mind and wish I could have stayed longer. Content includes books from bestselling, midlist and debut authors. To order a copy go to guardianbookshop.com or call 0330 333 6846. I thought all the mental health stuff was brilliant and so well done and authentic—it so often isn’t, in novels—and also all the unhappy sex rang so true. It tells the tale of 25-year-old, Queenie Jenkins, a Jamaican British woman living in London, straddling […] And how do I get there?" Which sounds so serious, but the way she weaves in text messages, e-mails, and more makes Queenie’s world feel so real. Is Queenie a character you want to root for? What are the reasons you think it took Queenie so long to come to terms with needing therapy, and accepting that it had something to offer her? Queenie Malone's Paradise Hotel is only a small part of the whole book but it was a paradise for our main character, Tilly, when she was a child. 2. Following on from our commitment to shake up our old reading habits and make our Book Club a more inclusive community, we are thrilled to announce Queenie as our September pick. I can’t wait to read whatever Candice writes next. And what an adorable, precocious child she was. She works at a national newspaper where she's constantly forced to compare herself to her white, middle-class peers, and beg to write about Black Lives Matter. Funny, wise, and of the moment, this book and this writer are the ones to watch.” –Kit de Waal, author of My Name is Leon, “Candice gives so generously with her joy, pain and humour that we cannot help but become fully immersed in the life of Queenie—a beautiful and compelling book.” –Afua Hirsch, author of Brit(ish), "So raw and well-written and painfully relatable.