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Book club questions for The List by Yomi Adegoke explore the themes of trust and betrayal in relationships, the blurred boundaries between public and private lives, and the impact of social media on personal and professional reputations.
This exciting novel will make you think about the risks of social media.
Can you say anything online without facing consequences? Imagine if your attempts to get back at someone ended up hurting innocent people. How much damage can a revenge post cause? Read this book to find out. It’s a fun read that will spark interesting discussions!
What were your impressions of this novel? ✨
The List by Yomi Adegoke
In this blog post you will find the discussion questions for The List by Yomi Adegoke.
At the bottom of this post I have prepared a printable PDF with downloadable book club questions so you can use them with your book clubs, and I also have some additional suggestions for novels that share similar themes and narratives.
If you find these book club questions useful, let me know! I’m excited to hear your unique perspectives during your book club discussions!
Book Club Questions | Additional Recommendations | Printable List
About the Story
The List follows the story of Ola Olajide, a successful journalist, and her fiancé Michael, whose seemingly perfect life takes a dark turn when Michael’s name appears on a viral social media post titled “The List,” which compiles anonymous allegations against people.
Ola, usually a vocal supporter of such exposés, faces a moral dilemma when her own partner is accused. The book navigates the complexities of online life, exploring the real-world consequences of digital accusations and the blurred lines between truth and fiction on social media.
It’s a compelling read for fans of contemporary fiction, addressing timely themes and moral dilemmas.
About the Author
Yomi Adegoke is a multi award-winning journalist and author. She is currently a columnist at The Guardian and British Vogue and is the former host of the Women’s Fiction Prize podcast.
In 2018, she co-wrote the bestselling book Slay In Your Lane and the same year was named one of the most influential people in London by the Evening Standard. She also was awarded the Groucho Maverick and Marie Clare Future Shaper awards.
In 2021, she was named on the Forbes 30 under 30 list.
In 2023, Adegoke published her debut novel, The List, which won numerous awards and was selected as the GMA book club pick for October 2023!
Book Club Questions for The List
Disclaimer: the following discussion questions contain spoilers, so proceed with caution if you haven’t finished the book yet.
- What was your initial reaction when you discovered that Michael’s name appeared on The List?
- Did your sympathy lean more towards Ola or Michael? Did your perspective on them change as the story unfolded?
- How did experiencing the story from their alternating viewpoints influence your understanding of the narrative?
- Were you familiar with similar lists like the one in the book before reading it? What are your thoughts on the discussion surrounding it in the novel?
- Did you anticipate the revelation that at least two men on The List were falsely accused for revenge? How did this twist impact your perspective on the story?
- From call-out lists to online harassment, do you believe that the ability to remain anonymous online is beneficial or harmful?
- What were your thoughts on the portrayal of Michael and Ola’s relationship in the story?
- Do you believe Michael is guilty of any wrongdoing? Why do you hold that opinion?
- Considering the book’s focus on social media, what responsibility do individuals have when posting accusations online? Did reading the book make you reflect on your own online behavior differently?
- Ola identifies as a feminist but questions her claim to that identity after Michael’s name appears on The List. What are your thoughts on her struggle with this dilemma?
- If someone close to you faced anonymous accusations, how do you think you would handle the situation?
- Discuss the book’s approach to feminism, particularly in the context of intersectionality. How were issues of race, class, and gender portrayed in the story? Did it contribute to a nuanced understanding of feminism?
- What were your impressions of Celie’s response to The List, and how did your perception change as the story progressed?
- Explore the portrayal of mental health challenges faced by characters like Michael, Lewis, and others in the novel.
- Some readers mentioned the book felt slow in parts. Which parts did you find particularly slow or engaging? How did the pacing impact your overall reading experience?
- The novel delves into the relationship between the online and offline lives of its characters. Do you believe these two worlds can be entirely separated?
- In what ways did The List prompt you to consider the various paths to justice available for survivors of sexual assault?
- Compare Ola’s journey with other contemporary fictional characters navigating similar challenges in the age of social media. How does her story differ, and what makes it unique in the context of modern literature?
- To what extent did you sympathize with Lewis, and do you think his fate is a consequence of the internet age?
- How did you feel when you reached the conclusion of the novel?
Additional Recommendations
Hope you enjoyed the book club discussion questions and reading guide for The List by Yomi Adegoke!
Here are some more of my book club recommendations related to this book:
Starling House by Alix E. Harrow
In the eerie town of Eden, Kentucky, resides an infamous mansion called Starling House, once owned by the reclusive 19th-century author, E. Starling. Opal, a determined young woman striving for a better life for her brother Jasper, becomes entangled in the mysteries surrounding this haunted house.
Driven by her childhood obsession with Starling’s work, Opal seizes an opportunity to explore the enigmatic mansion and earn money for her brother’s escape. However, as she delves deeper, she uncovers sinister secrets that bind Starling House to the town’s dark history. Strange occurrences and Arthur, the mansion’s misanthropic heir, add to the chilling atmosphere.
Opal’s dreams and reality blur as she realizes that Starling House might hold the key to her own identity. With the town drowning in its ghosts and malevolent forces closing in, Opal finds a reason to fight back.
“Starling House” is a gripping modern gothic fantasy, weaving a tale of obsession, courage, and the supernatural. As Opal battles the haunted past of Starling House, readers are invited to join her on this spine-tingling journey through a haunted mansion filled with mysteries waiting to be unraveled. Will she uncover the truth, or will she become another ghostly resident of Starling House? Enter, if you dare, and discover the secrets that lie within.
For my book club questions for this book, click here!
For my list of all Alix E. Harrow’s books in order, click here!
How to Say Babylon by Safiya Sinclair
Her father, a reggae musician and staunch believer in Rastafari, imposed rigid rules on his family, restricting their clothing, behavior, and freedom. He feared the corrupting influence of the Western world, referred to as Babylon.
Despite these restrictions, Safiya’s mother secretly encouraged her love for books and poetry. Safiya used her education to find her voice and rebel against her father’s oppressive beliefs.
The memoir explores Safiya’s journey as she fights to assert her identity as a woman and poet, challenging patriarchy, tradition, and colonialism in Jamaica. It’s a powerful story of resilience, rebellion, and self-discovery.
Happiness Falls by Angie Kim
Happiness Falls is a gripping novel that follows the harrowing journey of an Korean American family in Virginia when their father mysteriously disappears after a walk in a nearby park.
As they search for answers, they must confront their own secrets and navigate the challenges of communication, love, and human connection, all while racing against time to find their missing patriarch, with the unique perspective of their non-verbal younger brother adding complexity to their quest.
For my book club questions and printable reading guide for this book, click here.
Printable PDF
Feel free to distribute these discussion questions to your book club members before your meeting. Simply click the link below to download and print the PDF file.
Happy reading! ❤️