BKMT READING GUIDES

Skipping a Beat: A Novel
by Sarah Pekkanen

Published: 2011-02-22
Kindle Edition : 352 pages
14 members reading this now
5 clubs reading this now
2 members have read this book
Recommended to book clubs by 1 of 1 members
WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF YOUR HUSBAND SUDDENLY WANTED TO REWRITE THE RULES OF YOUR ...
No other editions available.
Add to Club Selections
Add to Possible Club Selections
Add to My Personal Queue
Jump to

Introduction

WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF YOUR HUSBAND SUDDENLY WANTED TO REWRITE THE RULES OF YOUR RELATIONSHIP?

Editorial Review

No editorial review at this time.

Excerpt

Chapter 1
One

WHEN MY HUSBAND, MICHAEL, died for the first time, I was walking across a freshly waxed marble floor in three-inch Stuart Weitzman heels, balancing a tray of cupcakes in my shaking hands.

Shaking because I'd overdosed on sugar—someone had to heroically step up and taste-test the cupcakes, after all—and not because I was worried about slipping and dropping the tray, even though these weren't your run-of-the-mill Betty Crockers. These were molten chocolate and cayenne-pepper masterpieces, and each one was topped with a name scripted in edible gold leaf. ... view entire excerpt...

Discussion Questions

From the author:

*Skipping a Beat traces the marriage of Michael and Julia Dunhill, who go through wonderful times and well as terrible ones. Do you believe most marriages are as intensely complicated and layered? Do most marriages cycle through good times and bad - in a sense, containing mini-marriages within the marriage itself?

*In Skipping a Beat, the main character, Julia Dunhill, sees pieces of her life in scenes from the world's great operas. Do you recognize bits of your own story in music? If so, what song would best sum up your life?

*In Skipping a Beat, Julia notes that "Sometimes following the path that looks the safest leads to the most hurt." Do you believe this is true? If so, why?

Notes From the Author to the Bookclub

Note from author Sarah Pekkanen:

For me, ideas take shape gradually. I knew I wanted to write about a married couple forced to re-evalute their relationship after the husband's near death experience, but other pieces of the book - like the dog that swims underwater, Julia's ability to recognize bits of her life in scenes from the world's great operas, and the specifics of the Julia and Michael's incredible financial success - didn't come to me immediately. In fact, I was half-way through writing the book when I decided to change Michael's occupation from a technology guru to the founder of a flavored bottled water company! What I hope readers take away from Skipping a Beat is a simple message we can never hear enough: Love is the most important thing in this world.

Book Club Recommendations

Member Reviews

Overall rating:
 
 
  "Moving and Bittsersweet"by MJ R. (see profile) 03/11/11

Wonderful characters and a stunning examination of a marriage. Really moving!

Rate this book
MEMBER LOGIN
Remember me
BECOME A MEMBER it's free

Book Club HQ to over 88,000+ book clubs and ready to welcome yours.

SEARCH OUR READING GUIDES Search
Search




FEATURED EVENTS
PAST AUTHOR CHATS
JOIN OUR MAILING LIST

Get free weekly updates on top club picks, book giveaways, author events and more
Please wait...