"The Authenticity Project" by Clare Pooley

The Authenticity Project by Clare Pooley
Call Number: FICTION Pooley
"A story about a solitary green notebook that brings together six strangers and leads to unexpected friendship, and even love. "Everybody lies about their lives. What would happen if you shared the truth?" This is the question that Julian Jessop, an eccentric, seventy-nine-year-old artist, poses within a pale green exercise book that he labels The Authenticity Project, before leaving it behind in Monica's Café. When Monica discovers Julian's abandoned notebook, not only does she add her own story to the book, she is determined to find a way to help Julian feel less lonely. And so it goes with the others who find the green notebook that will soon contain their deepest selves. It will also knit the group together In Real Life at Monica's Cafe, where they'll discover the thrill and sometime-risk of being completely honest--and, for some, find unexpected love. With a cast of characters who are by turns quirky and funny, heartbreakingly sad and painfully true-to-life, The Authenticity Project is a novel readers will take to their hearts and read with unabashed pleasure".

*ebook & audiobook on Libby

The Authenticity Project: Discuss the concept of "The Authenticity Project" and its role in the novel. How does the project bring together the characters and catalyze their personal journeys? What does authenticity mean to each character, and how do their perceptions of authenticity change throughout the story?
Friendship and Community: Explore the friendships that develop among the characters as a result of "The Authenticity Project." How do they support and challenge each other? What role does community play in their lives, and how does it contribute to their sense of belonging?
Honesty and Vulnerability: Consider the importance of honesty and vulnerability in the novel. How do the characters grapple with the challenges of being open and authentic in a world that often values appearances and pretense? What are the consequences of withholding the truth, and how does honesty foster deeper connections?
Storytelling and Identity: Analyze the role of storytelling in "The Authenticity Project." How do the characters' stories shape their identities and influence their relationships? In what ways do they use storytelling as a means of self-expression and connection?
Character Development: Trace the journeys of the main characters, including Julian, Monica, Hazard, and Riley. How do they evolve and grow throughout the novel? What pivotal moments or revelations contribute to their personal development?
Themes of Loneliness and Isolation: Loneliness is a recurring theme in the novel, affecting several characters in different ways. How do characters like Monica, Hazard, and Julian grapple with feelings of loneliness and isolation? How do their interactions with others alleviate or exacerbate these feelings?
Cultural and Generational Differences: The novel features characters from diverse backgrounds and age groups. Discuss how cultural and generational differences influence their perspectives and experiences. How do they bridge these differences to form meaningful connections?
Love and Relationships: Explore the various romantic relationships depicted in the novel, including Julian and Emma's burgeoning romance, Monica and Hazard's unconventional connection, and Riley's search for love. How do these relationships intersect with themes of authenticity and self-discovery?
Redemption and Forgiveness: Consider the theme of redemption and forgiveness in the novel, particularly in relation to characters like Monica and Hazard. How do they confront their past mistakes and find opportunities for growth and redemption?
Reflection and Resolution: Reflect on the ending of the novel and the characters' journeys towards authenticity and acceptance. How do they reconcile their pasts, embrace their true selves, and forge authentic connections with others? What lessons can be gleaned from their experiences?

Early Life and Career: Clare Pooley was born and raised in the United Kingdom. She studied Economics at Cambridge University and later pursued a career in advertising, working for some of the world's leading agencies. During her time in the advertising industry, Pooley honed her skills as a writer, crafting compelling narratives for various campaigns and clients.

Personal Journey: Pooley's path to becoming a published author took a significant turn when she decided to quit drinking alcohol in 2015. Her decision to embrace sobriety marked a profound turning point in her life, inspiring her to document her journey and share her experiences with others. Pooley chronicled her personal transformation in a widely popular blog, "Mummy Was a Secret Drinker," where she candidly discussed her struggles with alcoholism, her journey to sobriety, and her reflections on motherhood and life.

Literary Success: Building on the success of her blog, Clare Pooley transitioned to writing books, drawing on her own experiences and insights to craft compelling narratives. In 2018, she published her debut novel, "The Sober Diaries," which blends memoir and self-help elements to offer an honest and inspiring account of her journey to sobriety. The book received critical acclaim and resonated with readers around the world, earning Pooley praise for her candid storytelling and relatable voice.

Following the success of "The Sober Diaries," Pooley continued to explore themes of love, friendship, and personal growth in her fiction writing. In 2020, she published her debut novel, "The Authenticity Project," a heartwarming story about the transformative power of honesty and connection. The novel received widespread acclaim for its engaging characters, poignant themes, and uplifting message about the importance of authenticity.

Personal Life: Clare Pooley resides in London with her family. She is a passionate advocate for mental health awareness, sobriety, and living an authentic life. Through her writing and public speaking engagements, Pooley continues to inspire and empower others to embrace their true selves and pursue fulfilling, meaningful lives.

Legacy: Clare Pooley has established herself as a talented and influential voice in contemporary literature, known for her candid storytelling, relatable characters, and uplifting messages of hope and resilience. Her writing resonates with readers of all backgrounds, offering insight, encouragement, and a reminder that it's never too late to embark on a journey of self-discovery and personal growth.

My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry by Fredrik Backman
Call Number: FICTION Backman
Elsa is seven years old and different. Her grandmother is seventy-seven years old and crazy--as in standing-on-the-balcony-firing-paintball-guns-at-strangers crazy. She is also Elsa's best, and only, friend. At night Elsa takes refuge in her grandmother's stories, in the Land-of-Almost-Awake and the Kingdom of Miamas, where everybody is different and nobody needs to be normal. When Elsa's grandmother dies and leaves behind a series of letters apologizing to people she has wronged, Elsa's greatest adventure begins. Her grandmother's instructions lead her to an apartment building full of drunks, monsters, attack dogs, and old crones but also to the truth about fairy tales and kingdoms and a grandmother like no other. My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry is told with the same comic accuracy and beating heart as Fredrik Backman's bestselling debut novel, A Man Called Ove . It is a story about life and death and one of the most important human rights: the right to be different.
The Collected Regrets of Clover by Mikki Brammer
Call Number: FICTION Brammer
What's the point of giving someone a beautiful death if you can't give yourself a beautiful life? From the day she watched her kindergarten teacher drop dead during a dramatic telling of Peter Rabbit , Clover Brooks has felt a stronger connection with the dying than she has with the living. After the beloved grandfather who raised her dies alone while she is traveling, Clover becomes a death doula in New York City, dedicating her life to ushering people peacefully through their end-of-life process. Clover spends so much time with the dying that she has no life of her own, until the final wishes of a feisty old woman send Clover on a trip across the country to uncover a forgotten love story--and perhaps, her own happy ending. As she finds herself struggling to navigate the uncharted roads of romance and friendship, Clover is forced to examine what she really wants, and whether she'll have the courage to go after it. Probing, clever, and hopeful, The Collected Regrets of Clover is perfect for readers of The Midnight Library and Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine as it turns the normally taboo subject of death into a reason to celebrate life.
Meet Me at the Museum by Anne Youngson
Call Number: FICTION Youngson
In Denmark, Professor Anders Larsen has lost his wife and his hopes for the future. On an isolated English farm, Tina Hopgood is trapped in a life she doesn't remember choosing. Brought together by a shared fascination with the Tollund Man, subject of Seamus Heaney's famous poem, they begin writing letters to one another. From their vastly different worlds, they find they have more in common than they could have imagined, and an unexpected friendship blooms. When Tina's letters stop coming, Anders is thrown into despair. How far are they willing to go to write a new story for themselves?
The Lost Manuscript by Cathy Bonidan
ISBN: 1250256305
Publication Date: 2021-01-12
"Cathy Bonidan's The Lost Manuscript is a charming epistolary novel about the love of books and magical ability they have to bring people together. Sometimes a book has the power to change your life... When Anne-Lise Briard books a room at the Beau Rivage Hotel for her vacation on the Brittany coast, she has no idea this trip will start her on the path to unearthing a mystery. In search of something to read, she opens up her bedside table drawer in her hotel room, and inside she finds an abandoned manuscript. Halfway through the pages, an address is written. She sends pages to the address, in hopes of potentially hearing a response from the unknown author. But not before she reads the story and falls in love with it. The response, which she receives a few days later, astonishes her...

Islington Branch Book Club - Past Titles: "The Authenticity Project" by Clare Pooley

"The Authenticity Project" by Clare Pooley

QUICK LINKS

CONNECT WITH US

Westwood Public Library

Main Library

Islington Branch