11/5 Spells for Forgetting

[Resa]

Welcome to our discussion of Spells for Forgetting by Adriene Young! Below are some questions to get the discussion started, but feel free to bring up any topics you’d like to discuss.

1. How does the setting of Saoirse Island with its folklore and magic contribute to the atmosphere of the story?

2. Emery and August have a complicated history. How does their past affect their interactions and relationships in the present?

3. The disappearance and death of Lily Morgan is a central mystery in the story. How did her death change the shape of the town in the present?

4. The way the past affects the present is a common theme in the book. How have past events affected the present lives of Saoirse residents?

5. Discuss the symbolism of the changing tree colors on Saoirse Island. What do you think they represent, and how do they relate to the unfolding events?

6. Emery and August both carry secrets from the past. How do these secrets shape their actions and decisions throughout the book?

7. The town's residents seem to have a collective desire to see August gone. Why do you think they hold such strong animosity towards him?

8. The story explores themes of betrayal and hidden promises spanning generations. How do these themes play out in the narrative, and what do they reveal about the characters' motivations and choices?

9. How does the Blackwood's Tea Shoppe Herbal Tonics & Tea Leaf Readings fit into the narrative, and what role does it play in the story's development?

10. In the end, what did you think of Lily’s death? How else has magic played a role in the events on Saoirse Island and the residents’ relationships to each other?