Summer Book & Conversation Circle: Cultivating Connection
This August, we’re launching our online Book & Conversation Circle—a casual way to read, reflect, and connect with fellow members over meaningful stories and topics.
Our August Book Pick:
“The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue” by V.E. Schwab
Part historical fiction, part fantasy, and wholly unforgettable—this novel tells the story of Addie LaRue, a young woman in 18th-century France who makes a Faustian bargain to live forever… but is cursed to be forgotten by everyone she meets.
From her struggle to leave a mark on the world to her resilience and rebellion against invisibility, Addie’s journey is one of self-discovery, memory, and meaning that spans centuries and continents.
💬 Suggested Thinking Topics:
- The Desire to Be Remembered
- Addie’s greatest wish is to leave a mark on the world.
→ What does “leaving a legacy” mean to you personally?
→ How does the idea of memory shape identity, especially for women?
- Addie’s greatest wish is to leave a mark on the world.
- Freedom vs. Connection
- Addie gains immortality but loses the ability to form lasting relationships.
→ Can a life without deep connection still be meaningful?
→ What trade-offs do women today make between independence and intimacy?
- Addie gains immortality but loses the ability to form lasting relationships.
- Art as Remembrance
- Addie finds small ways to influence artists and be remembered through their work.
→ How does art (music, literature, design) allow us to be “seen”?
→ Are there personal mementos or traditions in your life that preserve memory?
- Addie finds small ways to influence artists and be remembered through their work.
- Women and Time
- The novel spans 300 years of Addie’s life, showing how the world changes—and doesn’t—for women.
→ How do different generations of women experience freedom and invisibility?
→ What do you think Addie would find familiar—or surprising—about today’s world?
- The novel spans 300 years of Addie’s life, showing how the world changes—and doesn’t—for women.
- The Power of Names and Identity
- Addie is constantly forgotten by others but never forgets who she is.
→ How do names, titles, and roles affect how we see ourselves?
→ In what ways do you hold onto your identity during life transitions?
- Addie is constantly forgotten by others but never forgets who she is.
🤝 What This Means for Our Club
Our Book & Conversation Circle isn’t just about reading—it’s about reflecting, relating, and reconnecting. By diving into stories like Addie LaRue, we’re reminded of the power of voice, memory, and the quiet impact we all make—whether in art, in friendship, or in service.