Book Club Discussion Questions and Guide for Honey by Isabel Banta

Book Club Discussion Questions

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Please be aware that this discussion guide will contain spoilers!

1. Did you grow up in the late '90s/early 2000s? If so, what do you remember of pop music at that time? Did this book change your perspective of those celebrities and their careers?
2. How do you think Amber's rise to pop stardom might have played out in the present day? What do you think is responsible for the differences between that era of pop culture and today?
3. Early in the book, Amber wonders "if two people can really be happy if there's no one else to see it. If they can just exist together, truly happy." Later she says she believes they can. Do you agree that this is possible in the current age of social media? What about in celebrity relationships?
4. As we follow Amber's journey, she always seems to be reaching for something more. How did her definition of success, of "making it," change over the years? When do you believe she reached success, if at all?
5. Do you think Amber's complicated family dynamics impacted her career choice and its trajectory?
6. How is Amber and Gwen's friendship representative of girlhood, growing up, and female friendships? Were you surprised that Amber and Gwen were so close — almost like sisters — when '90s tabloids often portrayed female pop stars as enemies?
7. Amber's image is built on derogatory terms that she says girls learn from their mothers. In what ways does this language damage young women? What are some examples of this in Honey?
8. The initial distinction between Savannah, Gwen, and Amber is based on their sexuality, and they are marketed using these differences. How did sexuality drive public opinion in Honey?
9. How did the '90s shape our perspective of sexuality now? Toward the end of the book, Amber finally gains artistic control in her songwriting and music production, but she recognizes that she is supported by older men like Pat and Sonny, who have benefited from her success. In what ways did they help and hurt Amber? Do you think her success would have been possible without the male gaze?
10. When thinking about her identity, Amber says, "They are stacked inside my head, these paper girls, all patient, selfless, capable of restraint." How does Amber create different versions of herself to share with others? When do you think she realizes and expresses her authentic self?
11. When recording with Amber, Axel shares, "For most people…the art and being the fact of the art is interchangeable." Do you agree with Axel? What are some examples of this? Does this only apply to certain kinds of people/artists/celebrities?

Unless otherwise stated, this discussion guide is reprinted with the permission of Celadon. Any page references refer to a USA edition of the book, usually the trade paperback version, and may vary in other editions.