Introduction

When Madeline Drake wakes up from an accident and finds herself in a small, turn of the century town, her only thought is how to get home. But as Madeline tries to find her way out of this eddy in time, she inadvertently wrenches open the lives of the town’s spinster postmistress, Parathinia “Ninny” Minch, and Savannah Clarke, a starchy widow with dark secrets.

As their lives intersect, Madeline discovers a cozy and magical place of her own where friendship, purpose and empowerment are hers for the asking if only she’s willing to reach beyond the constraints of her old life. But is she really willing to give up her modern life?
 

Discussion Questions

1. If you were to go back in time, where would you want to go? What would be the challenges you face, and what would you miss from your home?
2. If you found yourself in Bethlehem, what would you want to do or see? Who would you want to meet? Which event—such as the Christmas Bazaar, the Cake Dance, or the Opera Gala—would you want to attend? Would you accept an invitation to go to Mrs. George L.’s birthday luncheon?
3. What wish would you put in the blue jar?
4. If you were Madeline, by the end of the book would you leave or stay?
5. What did you think of Savannah at the beginning of the book, and how did your perceptions of her change as you learned more about her?
6. One reviewer wrote that this book is a “love story to friendship.” Did you find the friendship between Ninny and Madeline believable? Have you had unexpected friendships in your life? Is it harder to find friends as you get older? What makes someone a friend?
7. If you had a second chance at your life, what would that look like? What would it change about your current life? What do you think Madeline, Ninny or Savannah would do over in their lives? How would that change their current situations?
8. Ninny’s cake “accidentally” crashes to the floor and it is for her a humiliating disaster. Have you had a holiday disaster that is now a favorite family story or turned out for the best?
9. Food is an essential part of this book with different characters sharing their favorite things or what they make best. Madeline points out that Ninny’s coffee cake she makes every year might be in response to the stress of Mrs. George L.’s birthday invitations. What is your favorite comfort food during the holidays? What is something that you or your family makes every year that the holidays wouldn’t be the same without it?
10. Ninny’s lie puts her life, and that of others, in turmoil—do you agree with her decision? And how did you feel about her withholding the truth for so long? Did you agree with what Badger and Mr. Thayer did?
11. The women in Bethlehem help each other, as shown by Mrs. Bergstrom’s need for assistance after her baby is born. Do you think we help each other enough in current times?
12. Is there a villain in this story? Or is it the characters and their own flaws and failures in their lives that they are facing that takes on the role of the villain.
13. What do you think of the potential romance between Wick and Madeline? What challenges do they face? And what are the challenges for Badger and Ninny going forward? Do either of these couples have a future together?
14. Which scene or part of the book has stuck with you the most?
15. If this became a streaming series, who would you cast as Madeline, Ninny, or Savannah?
16. The holidays in Bethlehem are a social whirl. Did you have a favorite holiday tradition in the book? Do you have a favorite holiday activity that you like to do each year, such as light viewing, decorating the tree, visiting Santa, holiday bazaars?
17. The need for libraries drove many small, rural communities during this time period to seek a Carnegie Library grant, raising additional funds and donating books to fill the shelves. Do you think we take our public libraries for granted?
18. Far from Bethlehem, Iceland has a Christmas Eve tradition called Jolabokaflod, which translated means “Christmas Book Flood.” On December 24th, every one receives a new book and they spend the evening reading it. What’s a book you’ve read this year that you want others to read, or that you are considering gifting to friends and family? What book did you receive for Christmas that you still remember and cherish?
19. Sending out postcards was a big holiday tradition during this time period, with postcards being the most popular because they were only a penny to send. Do you send out Christmas cards? If not, who would you like to send a holiday greeting to and what is holding you back?