Sipsworth

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. How did this book compare to other books you have read about the relationship between humans and animals?

2. Compare this book to others in the “found family” genre, such as Fredrik Backman’s A Man Called Ove or Jesse Q. Sutano’s Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers. 

3. Discuss your emotional response to the relationship between Helen and Sipsworth.

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1. How do you relate to Helen’s struggle to live in the present? 

2. Helen’s past—for instance, her job as a cardiologist—helps her achieve her goals in her present. In what ways has your past equipped you with skills for the present?

3. In your opinion, why do lost family and friends have such a strong hold on our memories, as they do on Helen’s?

Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes.

1. At the beginning of the novel, Helen experiences deep grief and isolation. Compare and contrast her experiences as an older person to what you may have witnessed in the way older people live in your community.