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Table of Contents
About The Book
Chatting it up with bendy WASPs is the last thing on Coco Guthrie’s mind during her 8:30 a.m. yoga class. Having made her fortune as the world-renowned inventor of Butt-B-Gone derriere cream, Coco still doesn’t feel like she belongs among the upper class— until she attends the swankiest Halloween soiree in Greenwich, Connecticut, where three of her fellow morning yogis shared her brilliant idea to appear as Sarah Palin. Soon it’s clear that a love of stretching isn’t all this accidental sorority—which includes a single mom with echolalia, an entertainment reporter who charms the pants off handsome stars, and a drama-prone producer with a taste for drag— have in common.
When the four mischievous Sarahs wander away from the party to sneak a peek at the mayor’s neighboring estate, they are stunned to find him adorned in leather and latex, and rolling up a woman’s body in a Persian rug. To make matters worse, someone has spotted the spying Palins. Someone who threatens to expose their torrid affairs in business and the bedroom. Now the unlikely foursome must use all their wits and wiles to get to the bottom of the kinky crime. But will their budding friendship be strong enough to protect their deepest secrets?
When the four mischievous Sarahs wander away from the party to sneak a peek at the mayor’s neighboring estate, they are stunned to find him adorned in leather and latex, and rolling up a woman’s body in a Persian rug. To make matters worse, someone has spotted the spying Palins. Someone who threatens to expose their torrid affairs in business and the bedroom. Now the unlikely foursome must use all their wits and wiles to get to the bottom of the kinky crime. But will their budding friendship be strong enough to protect their deepest secrets?
Reading Group Guide
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This reading group guide for The Yoga Club includes discussion questions and ideas for enhancing your book club. The suggested questions are intended to help your reading group find new and interesting angles and topics for your discussion. We hope that these ideas will enrich your conversation and increase your enjoyment of the book.
Topics & Questions for Discussion
1. Coco, CJ, Bailey and Olivia are an unlikely group—do you think if they hadn’t witnessed the mayor’s crime together, they would ever have become friends? Why or why not?
2. Where did you meet your best friend(s)? What do you feel is the most important element of close friendship?
3. When the four friends witness the mayor’s suspicious behavior, their instinct is to turn around and forget it ever happened. Have you ever been in a situation where you saw something you wish you hadn’t? What did you do?
4. Do you have a favorite character in the book? Who is it, and why is he/she your favorite?
5. The Yoga Club is a comic novel, and might be described as a caper. Generally, this means that certain plot elements may be exaggerated or extreme. Do you think that was the case here? Did you find the story believable? What about the characters? Did that effect your enjoyment of the novel?
6. All of our main characters are shown in various romantic—and sexual—relationships throughout the book. What do you think about the way sexuality is used/portrayed in the novel?
7. Is there a message underlying The Yoga Club, or is it “just for fun”? What do you think the author intended to convey in writing this novel?
8. A lot of the novel hinges on gossip—between friends, about celebrities and politicians, and more. Do you consider celebrity reporting, like Bailey does, a form of gossip? Do you think gossip is harmful? Can it be helpful? Have you ever been a gossip or been gossiped about?
9. What’s the importance of yoga in this book? Do you think The Yoga Club is the right title for the novel?
10. Have you ever tried yoga? If so, what did you like/dislike about it? If not, do you have a hobby or activity that serves as a refuge or ritual? What is it?
Enhance Your Book Club
1. Come in costume! Whether it’s your best Sarah Palin disguise, or an idea of your own, this could be a fun way to emulate the book’s Halloween party (without witnessing a crime, of course!)
2. Bring yoga mats and lead the group through a sun salutation or two! Even yoga beginners may enjoy some gentle stretching to loosen stiff necks and shoulders from reading. (As with any activity, be careful and check with your medical professional before trying something new.)
3. Go around the room and invite everyone to share a “secret” about themselves—something that not everyone knows.
Topics & Questions for Discussion
1. Coco, CJ, Bailey and Olivia are an unlikely group—do you think if they hadn’t witnessed the mayor’s crime together, they would ever have become friends? Why or why not?
2. Where did you meet your best friend(s)? What do you feel is the most important element of close friendship?
3. When the four friends witness the mayor’s suspicious behavior, their instinct is to turn around and forget it ever happened. Have you ever been in a situation where you saw something you wish you hadn’t? What did you do?
4. Do you have a favorite character in the book? Who is it, and why is he/she your favorite?
5. The Yoga Club is a comic novel, and might be described as a caper. Generally, this means that certain plot elements may be exaggerated or extreme. Do you think that was the case here? Did you find the story believable? What about the characters? Did that effect your enjoyment of the novel?
6. All of our main characters are shown in various romantic—and sexual—relationships throughout the book. What do you think about the way sexuality is used/portrayed in the novel?
7. Is there a message underlying The Yoga Club, or is it “just for fun”? What do you think the author intended to convey in writing this novel?
8. A lot of the novel hinges on gossip—between friends, about celebrities and politicians, and more. Do you consider celebrity reporting, like Bailey does, a form of gossip? Do you think gossip is harmful? Can it be helpful? Have you ever been a gossip or been gossiped about?
9. What’s the importance of yoga in this book? Do you think The Yoga Club is the right title for the novel?
10. Have you ever tried yoga? If so, what did you like/dislike about it? If not, do you have a hobby or activity that serves as a refuge or ritual? What is it?
Enhance Your Book Club
1. Come in costume! Whether it’s your best Sarah Palin disguise, or an idea of your own, this could be a fun way to emulate the book’s Halloween party (without witnessing a crime, of course!)
2. Bring yoga mats and lead the group through a sun salutation or two! Even yoga beginners may enjoy some gentle stretching to loosen stiff necks and shoulders from reading. (As with any activity, be careful and check with your medical professional before trying something new.)
3. Go around the room and invite everyone to share a “secret” about themselves—something that not everyone knows.
About The Author
Photo by Michael Harrison
Cooper Lawrence is a radio personality, podcast host, and author. She has hosted the nationally syndicated talk radio show, The Cooper Lawrence Show and is now co-host of the award-winning podcast, Cooper & Anthony Show. Her show combines entertainment, pop culture, comedy, and celebrity all flavored with her unique brand of storytelling. She holds a PhD in psychology and she has written seven books. Some of her books include The Cult of Celebrity, The Cult of Perfection, The Fixer Upper Man, The Yoga Club, and CosmoGIRL's All About Guys. She lives in New York City.
Product Details
- Publisher: Gallery Books (December 20, 2011)
- Length: 336 pages
- ISBN13: 9781439187289
Raves and Reviews
"The perfect stoop read! I love to laugh, and this book provided ample opportunity." --Cat Greenleaf, NBC's "Talk Stoop with Cat Greenleaf"
"After several nonfiction titles, Lawrence's debut novel is adorably charming; she manages to incorporate just enough of the spoiled privilege and insecurity of the ultra-wealthy to make her Greenwich set seem authentic and vulnerable, while littering the tale with money, celebrity and numerous New York City landmarks. Readers will delight in the antics of this gang." --PW.com
Resources and Downloads
High Resolution Images
- Book Cover Image (jpg): The Yoga Club eBook 9781439187289
- Author Photo (jpg): Cooper Lawrence Photo by Michael Harrison(0.1 MB)
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