I was one of those kids who loved the library. My mom would drop me off for an hour or so on a Saturday afternoon while she did the grocery shopping and I would pick out the books I wanted to read that week. I remember running my hands along the smoothly covered jackets and reading the book blurbs. I would grab books at random off the shelves or go straight for the ones that were faced out. The covers were usually the deciding factor. Each week, I would troop out of that building with three or four books. I’m sure I didn’t get through all of them. Probably started each one and then decided which one I really wanted to read.

With those childhood library memories firmly in place, it was with the greatest pleasure and awe that I viewed my book sitting on the shelf of the Port Alice Library. All decked out in that wonderful plastic protective wrap with the official barcode along the top. What a feeling of accomplishment.

We are in the middle of a long weekend here in Canada – Thanksgiving. The perfect time for me to shout out my thanks to all the people who requested my book through the library. It is because of you that my book now sits on that shelf.

I recently led a book club discussion for Disappearing in Plain Sight at my local library. Here is a taste of the questions used that night.

1. Disappearing in Plain Sight is a novel that delves into the life experiences of a number of characters, all of whom have issues to deal with. Did one of the characters stand out for you as the main character or protagonist? Defend your choice? In view of whom you have chosen to be the protagonist, who is the antagonist?

2. Caleb is a strong character – even though he has been dead for two years when the novel begins. How would you describe the role Caleb plays in moving the story forward?

3. There is a parallel between the relationship Izzy develops with Justin and the one Liam has with Lisa-Marie. Reflect on the way both Izzy and Liam resolved the conflict of their particular relationship. Do you see one of them rather than the other as holding the higher ground? Or is it more complicated than that?

4. As the back stories of certain characters are revealed, did you find your opinions about those characters changing? If so, how?

5. Secondary characters weave their way through the story and often end up having their own storylines and plot twists. Were there some characters you wanted to hear more about? Some you could have done without?

6. Many would say that the main theme of the book is learning how to move on from difficult life experiences. Discuss this theme as well as other themes that stood out for you.

7. How does the title relate to the experiences of the characters?

8. What role does the setting of the novel play in the overall reader experience?

9. If you had to choose a genre for Disappearing in Plain Sight, what would it be?

If you’ve read Disappearing in Plain Sight and would like to weigh in with your thoughts on any of the above questions, please do. We’ll have a blog book club in the comments section.