BKMT READING GUIDES

For One More Day
by MITCH ALBOM

Published: 2006
Hardcover : 208 pages
38 members reading this now
16 clubs reading this now
36 members have read this book
WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF YOU COULD SPEND ONE MORE DAY WITH A LOST LOVED ...
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Introduction

WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF YOU COULD SPEND ONE MORE DAY WITH A LOST LOVED ONE

Editorial Review

No editorial review at this time.

Excerpt

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Discussion Questions

From the Publisher:

1. In the first paragraph of the novel, and repeated several times throughout the book, is the line “every family is a ghost story.” What do you think that means? Who is the real ghost in the Benetto family?

2. Which scene resonated with you the most, and why?

3. Re-read the “Beginning” section. Now that you know the identity of the narrator, how does your understanding of the section change? Did the narrator’s identity surprise you? Why, or why not?

4. Discuss the last paragraph of the “Beginning” section, on page 4: “Have you ever lost someone you love and wanted one more conversation, one more chance to make up for the time when you thought they would be here forever? If so, then you know you can go through your whole life collecting days, and none will outweigh the one you wish you had back. What if you got it back?” What did you imagine this meant when you first read it? What does it mean to you now? Is there someone in your own life with whom you’d like to spend one more day?

5. Why do you think Chick tried to commit suicide? Was it for the reasons he stated, or was there something else behind it?

6. On page 7, Chick says “Mothers support certain illusions about their children.” What did he mean by that statement? What about fathers?

7. Consider the passage on page 10 in which Chick talks about missing his daughter’s wedding. Given the identity of the book’s narrator, what do you think is happening here? Is it manipulation, guilt, hubris, or something else entirely?

8. Several times in the novel, Chick says that you can either be a mama’s boy or a daddy’s boy, but not both. Which was Chick? Which did he believe himself to be? Do you agree that you can only be one or the other?

9. On page 36, Chick says, “kids chase the love that eludes them.” How does this play out over the course of the novel? Whose love does he chase, ultimately, and why?

10. Chick believes strongly in the power of words: “divorcee” (page 70), “Mom” (page 160), “She died” (page 187). What makes these words so powerful? Is it the context of the story, or are they freighted in real life, too?

11. Throughout the novel, Chick outlines various times when he failed to stand up for his mother, and was often quite cold to her. Is there a special cruelty that children inflict on their parents? Is Chick cruel to other characters?

12. Novels about mother-son relationships are relatively rare. Can you think of any others you’ve read and enjoyed? How did their portrayals compare to For One More Day?

13. On page 151, a mountain climber tells Chick that descending is much more difficult than ascending: “The backside of a mountain is a fight against human nature. You have to care as much about yourself on the way down as you did on the way up.” Do you agree with this statement? Where were Chick’s ascents and descents? How did he deal with them?

14. Discuss the significance of the Old Timers’ Game—its timing, Chick’s deception, his father’s involvement. How is it a turning point?

15. Chick learns a shocking secret about his father’s life on page 192. How does it change his understanding of his parents’ relationship? How does it change your understanding of Posey, Leonard, and Chick as characters?

16. Consider the other characters’ secrets: Chick’s lies about the Old Timers’ Game, Posey’s hiding her work as a housecleaner. What motivated them? Are some lies more damaging than others?

17. On page 201, Chick says, “I ran away. In that manner, I suppose, my father and I were sadly parallel.” Were they similar in other ways? Did Chick take after his father more than his mother?

18. Have you read any of Mitch Albom’s other books? What thematic links do you see?

19. Does this story have a moral? If so, what is it?

Notes From the Author to the Bookclub

No notes at this time.

Book Club Recommendations

Member Reviews

Overall rating:
 
 
  "For One More Day"by Chris G. (see profile) 10/15/12

I thought this was a sweet, thought provoking story that provided very good discussion topics for our club. Reading it made me stop and think about relationships in my own life and things I would or can... (read more)

 
  "This book should be read by all men, who sometimes don't appreciate their mother's as much as they should do...."by Jaana G. (see profile) 10/25/07

 
  "Fantastic in more ways than one!"by Karen O. (see profile) 10/23/07

Chick plays the victum really well. So many relationships are uncovered and discussed in detail...... Everyone can relate in some way or another. The book was fun and easy to read.

 
  "If you had one more day with a person who had died, this is the day."by Kathy D. (see profile) 09/29/07

Well written and thought provoking. I enjoyed this book, but liked Tuesday's with Maury better.

 
  "Quick & easy read for a short discussion"by Jenny H. (see profile) 08/07/07

We found it was alittle hard to discuss the people in this story as it was very short & we had to guess as what we thought about most of the characters. This was an easy read but didn't get as in depth... (read more)

 
  "Probably my favorite of Mitch Albom's"by Jeanne A. (see profile) 05/08/07

As with his other books, Mitch Albom gives you something to think about. We all probably have someone we would like to see "for one more day." We would probably give anything to have the opportunity... (read more)

 
  "Great book"by Joleen R. (see profile) 04/20/07

Our book club read this book in conjuction with an at work book club we have. We had a group of about 18 people at the first lunch/discussion event, but the second time slot was full with 32 people who... (read more)

 
  "A book to make you think"by Michelle D. (see profile) 04/18/07

This was truly a small but very powerful book. It afforded great discussion for our bookclub, as well as many different angles that the topic raised of spending one more day. We would highl... (read more)

 
  "Fast, easy read"by Stephanie R. (see profile) 03/18/07

 
  "A short easy read."by Jenna K. (see profile) 02/06/07

This poignant book has many topics that will inspire your book club to discuss different issues on many levels. Everyone will have something to add to the discussion.

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