Sophia Book Club
Hey book lovers!
Love getting lost in a good story?
Join our Sophia Book Club! Every other month, Julie (Executive Director at Sophia Recovery Centre) will share a book she's really enjoying. Julie picks great books that have some connection to substance use challenges.
The best part about being in a book club is sharing thoughts and ideas. Discussion helps us enrich our understanding of a novel, explore our own ideas, and consider other perspectives. Julie shares her personal insights about the story's themes and provides thoughtful questions to think about while you're reading.
We now have two virtual ways to "discuss" the Sophia Book Club selections...
Julie's Bi-weekly email
Sign-up to our mailing list for Julie's book selection announcements, ponders, and updates on book club news.
And...
Our Members-only Facebook Group
Join our private Facebook Book Club here or use this QR code.
(To join the Facebook group, you will need to "follow" Sophia Recovery Centre on Facebook in order to access the private group.)
Our March-April 2025 Book
The Most Fun We Ever Had
by Claire Lombardo
This New York Times bestseller was chosen as a Reese's Book Club pick and longlisted for the 2020 Women's Prize in Fiction. While not a central theme, substance use weaves through the narrative, reflecting both personal struggles and complex family dynamics.
Various characters turn to alcohol and other substances as coping mechanisms for emotional distress—whether stemming from inadequacy, grief, or unresolved trauma.
Rather than presenting addiction as the primary conflict, Lombardo frames it as a symptom of deeper issues: strained relationships, societal pressures, and personal insecurities. In doing so, she highlights how self-destructive behaviors can ripple through generations.
“A wonderfully immersive read that packs more heart and heft than most first novels… A deliciously absorbing novel with—brace yourself—a tender and satisfyingly positive take on family.” – NPR
Sophia Book Club Question Guide for
The Most Fun We Ever Had
At first glance, The Most Fun We Ever Had may seem like an unexpected choice for Sophia’s Book Club. If you’ve read it before, you might be thinking, "I don’t remember that novel being about addiction". And you wouldn’t be wrong. However, we invite you to revisit the story with fresh eyes, considering the subtle yet significant ways substance use appears throughout.
Consider Julie’s questions below as you read the novel:
1. Coping and Escape – Several characters use substances as a way to cope with stress, grief, or personal struggles. How does the novel portray substance use as a method of escape? Do yo think these characters are aware of their reliance on substances?
2. Family Influence – Substance use is not a dominant theme in the novel, but it appears in ways that reflect family dynamics. How do you think the Sorenson family’s culture—whether through parenting, sibling relationships, or emotional expectations—shapes the characters' behavior regarding substance use? Are there examples of healthy substance use or drinking?
3. Intergenerational Patterns – The novel examines how behaviors, trauma, and coping mechanisms are passed down through generations. Do you see any patterns in how different members of the Sorenson family approach self-medicating or avoiding emotional pain?
4. Judgment and Compassion – How do different characters react to substance use within the family? Is there judgment, empathy, or avoidance? How do their reactions shape our understanding of addiction and dependency?
5. Broader Themes – The book explores themes of perfectionism, pressure, and the fear of failure. How does substance use tie into these larger themes? Are there moments where you see characters engaging in other forms of self-destructive behavior that parallel substance use?
6. Societal Expectations – The Sorenson sisters, in particular, grapple with societal expectations and personal setbacks. Do you think gender plays a role in how substance use is portrayed in the novel? Are women judged more harshly for their coping mechanisms than men?
7. Resolution and Growth – By the end of the novel, do you think the characters have gained a healthier understanding of their struggles? Are there moments of healing or self-awareness that change how they cope with pain?
Through her nuanced character development, Lombardo explores the many ways people attempt to manage pain, seek control, or escape reality. Ultimately, the novel underscores the importance of understanding, connection, and compassion in the face of personal struggles.
PREVIOUS BOOK CLUB BOOK PICKS...
Our August-September 2024 Book
Demon Copperhead
by Barbara Kingsolver
"May be the best novel of [the year]... Equal parts hilarious and heartbreaking, this is the story of an irrepressible boy nobody wants, but readers will love.” - Ron Charles, Washington Post
Demon Copperhead won the 2023 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction (co-recipient) and the 2023 Women's Prize for Fiction.
It was also a New York Times "Ten Best Books of the Year", an Oprah’s Book Club Selection, and a New York Times, Wall Street Journal and Washington Post bestseller.
Are you ready to be awed by a masterful storyteller who plunges her readers into the world of her characters? We hope you’ll join us for our virtual book club meeting in September.
Sophia Book Club Question Guide for
Demon Copperhead
Consider these questions as you read this compelling story:
1. Sometimes it’s easy to judge a character by their circumstances. How would you describe the following characters, without including any mention of their substance use challenges: Demon, Dori, Demon’s mom, Emmy? Consider their qualities and aspirations.
2. Discuss the theme of second chances in the book. How do various characters, including Demon, use opportunities for redemption and growth?
3. Examine the concept of community support in recovery. How does the broader community in Lee County both hinder and help characters striving for better lives?
4. Discuss the stigma associated with addiction in the novel. How does it affect characters' willingness to seek help or support others?
Resources:
Read a plot summary of Demon Copperhead.
Read an analysis of the theme of addiction in Demon Copperhead (1.5-minute read). This primary analysis is accessible to non-subscribers of LitCharts.
Our Inaugural Book Club Selection
April-May 2024
The Girl on the Train
by Paula Hawkins
A #1 Globe and Mail and New York Times Bestseller
In this psychological thriller reality blurs as the story unfolds through the eyes of the primary narrator, Rachel.
“Rachel takes the same commuter train every morning and every night.
Every day she rattles down the track, flashes past a stretch of cozy suburban homes, and stops at the signal that allows her to watch the same couple having breakfast on their deck.
She's started to feel like she knows them; she calls them Jess and Jason. Their life--as she sees it--is perfect.
Then Rachel sees something shocking as she's passing by on the train--it's only for a minute, but it's enough. And now everything's changed…”
“Perfectly paced, from its arresting beginning to its twist ending; it’s not an easy book to put down.” —NPR
Sophia Book Club Question Guide for
The Girl on the Train
Once you have finished reading the book, consider the story and characters through the lens of substance use:
1. What are the signs that substance use, or addictive behaviour, was negatively impacting Rachel’s life?
2. What role might trauma have played in Rachel’s problematic substance use? How might trauma have impacted her self-esteem?
3. Most people are familiar with the idea of triggers. “Glimmers” are the opposite. They’re the small moments that spark joy and provide strength for individuals seeking to change their substance use habits. What triggers may have influenced Rachel’s behaviour (emotional, environmental, other)? Are there positive influences (glimmers) that help her begin to regain control of her circumstances?
5. Relationships can strengthen an individual’s recovery journey. In what ways do people around Rachel try to help her? In what ways is she judged?
Resources:
Substance Use Health: Just like mental health, or any other kind of physical health, substance use health exists on a spectrum. Learn more here.
Read an analysis of the theme of addiction in The Girl on the Train (4-minute read). This primary analysis is accessible to non-subscribers of LitCharts.