Discussion Questions for Debby's Books

Waiting for a View

As we grow older, God dims our vision so we can't see the dust.

Discussion questions:
  1. Can you relate to Sherry’s resistance to change? If so, did something happen in your life that made you that way?
  2. Naomi has been there for Sherry all her life, so Sherry doesn’t have the heart to ask her to stop meddling. Is there someone in your life who seems to know you better than you know yourself?
  3. Why do you think Sherry has such a difficult time with the idea of moving, even though her house is falling apart around her?
  4. Small children often speak their minds, and Lacy did exactly that when she called Sherry the “old maid lady,” repeating what her mother had said during one of those frazzled moments moms experience. Have you ever been the object of a child’s faux pas? How did that make you feel? Was it worse or better coming from a child?
  5. What do you think is the main theme of Waiting for a View? Sub-themes?
  6. Brad has always been fond of Sherry, but he valiantly didn’t act on his feelings as long as his old friend Theo was in the picture and dating Sherry. What would you have done in his position?
  7. Why do you think Brad didn’t pursue Sherry immediately after Theo left town and married someone else?
  8. Sherry greeted her old boyfriend’s wife at the urging of Naomi. Have you ever had to face something from your past that made you very uncomfortable? Did the results make you glad you did it?
  9. Something Sherry overheard Theo say devastated her. Have you ever jumped to conclusions when overhearing a snippet of conversation?
  10. Do you sit in the same pew at church? If so, why? If not, do you see things you missed from a different vantage point?
  11. Naomi has always enjoyed being an integral part of young people’s lives. During the course of the story, she started transferring some of her helpfulness from Sherry to Lacy. Why do you think she does this? Is she missing something important in her own life?
  12. When Sherry acknowledges all that Gina and Jeremy have overcome, her perspective in her own life changes. Have you ever experienced learning through observing other people’s hardships?
  13. How does the contrast between the fresh, new apartment and the house Sherry grew up in compare to what is going on internally?
  14. Did you notice that Naomi and Pamela schemed together, even though they normally didn’t get along? Have you ever had to work with someone you didn’t want to, only to discover you had more in common than you thought?



Sweet Baklava

Like a bird that flees its nest is anyone who flees from home.
Proverbs 27:8

 Discussion Questions: 
  1. Why is Paula so adamant about staying in Tarpon Springs?
  2. Why is Nick so eager to leave a town where he has a family that clearly adores him?
  3. Nick was the classic high school football hero, and Paula was more studious. What attracted Nick to Paula? What attracted Paula to Nick?
  4. What is the significance of baklava in the story? Have you ever tried baklava? How would you describe the flavor?
  5. Paula obviously has a reversal of the parent-child role in her relationship with her mother. How could this have happened, and when do you think it began?
  6. Why would Paula continue to give her mother money without more accountability?
  7. Do you think Paula’s mother and stepfather can work through their issues?
  8. After Amanda tries to steal from Paula, what drives Paula to help Amanda?
  9. Kate was clearly the “bad girl” from high school. How does this affect her relationship with her daughter? How does this affect her relationship with Paula?
  10. Have you ever experienced being labeled “class nerd,” “class clown,” “the pretty one,” “jock,” or any other label typically placed on high school kids? Has this affected you for the rest of your life, and if so, how?
  11. After Nick retires from the Air Force, do you think he can be happy living in Tarpon Springs?



Love Finds You in Treasure Island, Florida

Teach me good judgment and knowledge: for I have believed thy commandments.
Psalm 119:66

Discussion questions:
  1. What is the major theme of the book?
  2. Should Amanda continue to resist love after being jilted at the altar? Why or why not?
  3. How does Amanda really feel about staying in Treasure Island?
  4. Why is Lacy so resistant to growing up? What does this have to do with Amanda?
  5. Is Amanda justified in getting annoyed when her sister has trouble with one child in her kindergarten class? Why or why not?
  6. Is Jerry justified in his feelings toward his siblings for putting their spouses and children ahead of their parents?
  7. Should Amanda be concerned about Jerry's attentiveness to his parents? Why or why not?
  8. What kinds of frustrations do Rosemary and Harold have in their marriage?
  9. Is there a chance for Lacy and Brad to have an honest, open relationship? If so, how? If not, why not?
  10. What does Amanda's bicycle shop represent in her life?
  11. What is the foundation for the bond between Harold and Timmy?
  12. Does Harold really know deep down what the treasure is that he's looking for?
  13. What makes the setting of this story unique? How does the setting tie in to the theme?
  14. How do Amanda and Jerry grow or change in this story?
  15. How did you feel about Harold and Rosemary? Did anything about their health issues make you uncomfortable? Have you ever had to deal with a relative or close friend with Alzheimer's or Parkinson's?
  16. What does the bicycle helmet symbolize in the relationship between Amanda and Jerry? Rosemary and Harold? Lacy and Brad? Lacy and Timmy? Harold and Timmy?