Keep those suggestions, comments and critiques coming and they will be posted right here.

Ginger, Florida

I just love the concept and the manifestation of your products. I used to teach, and my favorite part of it was the lesson planning, so this is what I feel like you do with books (my favorite thing in the world). The research and the background is some of the best part! Most of all, keep up the great work, and keep us all informed on the new projects. I’m spreading the word in my circle, and always look forward to discovering the books maybe I haven’t read on your list.

Melody, Illinois

I don't belong to a book club, but I love finding out more information on the history of books that I enjoy. Your guide to Suite Francaise provided everything I wanted - and then some! Thank you so much for all your hard work in producing such an excellent guide!

Charlotte, California

It was a joy to read the book...do a light plan and then read your program to flesh out my approach. I'm SO busy these days that finding you was a great relief. BookClub in a Box helped me from an academic point of view and it scores high on my "sensitivity" requirements. The guide helped me reveal the book's message(s). It lends a level of authenticity and fact and order, which normally do not come naturally to me. And for all of that, I thank you.

Cheryl, Wisconsin

I really enjoyed using the guide for Suite Francaise at my last book group discussion. There are so many aspects of this book to consider and the guide covered them all: the author's life and the history of the book, the stories and characters, the beautiful writing. We had so much to talk about and so much insight and additional information to share. Thanks!

Ann, from Morgantown, W.V.

The information provided (by Bookclub-in-a-Box) enhanced and guided our discussion in a very positive direction. Thank you for making my job so easy.

Martha, West Virginia

I liked the (Bookclub-in-a-Box) workbook because it provided additional information, clarified some points and provided some interesting questions. It was something to fall back on especially if you weren’t sure what points to bring up.

Joanne, Santa Monica, California

I just finished reading my downloaded copy of "A Fine Balance." I just loved that book and thanks to your presentation of the information, received even more enjoyment and understanding. I participated in a bookclub discussion of "A Fine Balance" this past week. We're still emailing and discussing thoughts about the book and the ideas brought forth by BOOKCLUB-IN-A-BOX. I appreciate your product and will return again. Excellent job!

Carolyn, Toronto:

Well done, for your critique of Anne Marie McDonald's, "The Way the Crow Flies." It was superb: a long, complex work with many themes, many cultural nuances of a time and a place told in real time in chronological order but also with a retrospective look at it...you covered all of it in detail with tremendous thoughtfulness. I am sure the author will be most appreciative to know (and maybe she does know) that her efforts have been held up to light for the many who would otherwise fail to see.

Ann, North Carolina:

When I suggested "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time" as the required summer reading for my campus's new freshmen, I unwittingly committed myself to teaching the group discussion leaders how to review the book. I had lots of ideas, thankfully, but when I discovered the BOOKCLUB-IN-A-BOX available for Mark Haddon's outstanding novel, I was (appropriately) curious.

I'm happy to say that the Box -- really a detailed, annotated, fully-referenced booklet -- enriches and enhances any review of the fictional Christopher Boone's story. "Box" author Marilyn Herbert cites sources and page numbers for most observations, allowing Christopher to speak for himself. This is not an erudite deconstruction or a Cliff's Notes; on the contrary, the "Box" pulls out passages and sentences I would otherwise have overlooked, and lures me back to get even more out of the original prose. The plot is reviewed, not merely summarized, and every character is offered for exploration as well. I found the Box rich in insights and ideas for my own projects and questions.

In short, the Box helped me to do exactly what it promised: to launch a discussion, with myself and then with others who had read the book, with the result that we enjoyed it even more, understood it without picking it apart.

Tasha, Ottawa:

Thank you for the guide to Jeffrey Eugenides’ Middlesex. When I was reading the book, I knew there was so much that I was missing, so I decided to order your guide. I was right. By the time our group discussed this novel, we were able to talk with insight about the contribution of mythology, hermaphrodism, and psychology to the book. We came out of the discussion in awe of Jeffrey Eugenides and in love with the novel. Thanks again.

Ray, San Francisco:

Our group decided to concentrate on movie/novel combinations for our discussions. We independently watched the film The Hours, and then met to go over the novel. What a difference the guide made in appreciating both formats. We really feel as though we understand who Virginia Woolf really was and how she could write so beautifully. We are so impressed and can’t wait to buy our next guide.

Susan, Halifax:

It was so exciting to receive our BOOKCLUB-IN-A-BOX guide in the mail. It comes in such a great box and the guide made me feel like I was part of the process of preparing the discussion. We rotate the responsibility and it was my turn. I bought the guide for the curious incident of the dog in the night-time. It was so interesting to learn how Christopher could accomplish so much while having Asperger’s syndrome. Both the novel and the guide emphasize the understanding of people’s differences.

Ella, New Jersey:

As a teacher, it is often hard to get students into the head of a fictional character, but with your help (the guide to the curious incident of the dog in the night-time), the students managed beautifully. It was wonderful to see them engage with the character and be so enthusiastic about considering novel and narrative structure. Your BOOKCLUB-IN-A-BOX discussion guides are certainly for more than bookclubs.

Deirdre, Ottawa:

“J.M.Coetzee’s book, Disgrace, is a difficult book to tackle. We had widely different views on the characters, but the BOOKCLUB-IN-A-BOX discussion guide gave us a path to follow as we interpreted the plot, themes and issues in the novel. Without BOOKCLUB-IN-A-BOX, we would have been at a loss. It is so easy to use. Each section is clearly marked and easy to find.”

Cindy, Fort Worth:

“BOOKCLUB-IN-A-BOX was helpful in preparing me for the group's discussion. It saved me time and allowed me to feel confident and refreshed before the meeting.”

Jane, Toronto:

“Our group has now used BOOKCLUB-IN-A-BOX on two occasions when we discussed Roth’s The Human Stain and The Lovely Bones. Our meetings have never been better. Whenever we come across a BOOKCLUB-IN-A-BOX idea that supports our group’s thoughts, we feel validated. BOOKCLUB-IN-A-BOX has given us the confidence to freely voice our opinions and thoughts. Even our shy members now speak up. Thank you!”

Lynda, Toronto:

“My group recently used the guide for our meeting on The Poisonwood Bible. It was great to be able to pick and choose the information and topics we wanted to use … I love the concept. It totally made the whole experience easy.”

Shannon, Victoria:

I bought Life of Pi, as a resource for teaching the novel. We use it in our grade 11 curriculum. It has been a fabulous resource for teaching. Thanks for putting together such a great resource.

Nancy, Stittsville:

Our group enjoyed Middlesex. The BOOKCLUB-IN-A-BOX kit was fantastic. You sure give an in-depth review. I especially love the historical and mythological references.

Kayla, Lindsey:

Alice Sebold’s book The Lovely Bones was not a novel that I was looking forward to reading. But I was impressed with the tone and writing of the author. She shows such great sensitivity to her characters and to the subject of death, a subject that we all try to ignore. I am so glad I read this book and had a chance to think about this subject with Alice Sebold’s insight.

Ann, Toronto:

I know this book is not current, but our group was interested in J M Coetzee’s Disgrace. We took the title from your booklist. Although apartheid in South Africa has ended, there are strong on-going issues and political intricacies that are so relevant given the current world political climate. What Coetzee accomplished in this small novel was to bring to life the pain and the drama that this special racial situation has brought to both sides. Some of the members of our group are from South Africa, so our discussion took on a new meaning. Thank you for the insights added by your discussion guide. It was great.

Jean, New York:

Wow, did our discussion for Middlesex ever take off thanks to the notes in your BOOKCLUB-IN-A-BOX discussion guide. We were never at a loss for what to talk about next. Actually, we should have another meeting to cover it all. We especially liked the perspective on the great characters in the novel and the interesting and coincidental background facts that you included about the author. Thanks!