As we get ready to talk about John Thavis' "The Vatican Diaries" tomorrow (see previous post), here are a few discussion questions to think about.
1. Why do you think Thavis opened the book with the story about the bells?
2. If you think of the book as you would a novel, who is your favorite "character"? Why? Likewise, your least favorite "character." Why?
3. What was your favorite line (or lines) from the book?
4. Thavis said on his website -- www.johnthavis.com -- that he wrote the book "to chronicle the human side of the Vatican -- warts and all ... ." How well do you think he succeeded?
5. Thavis has something of a dry wit. What did you think was the funniest part of the book?
6. What was the most inspirational part of the book?
7. After reading the chapter about Pope Pius XII, how do you feel about his sainthood cause?
8. How did Thavis' chapter "Sex" influence your thinking about the church sex abuse scandal?
9. How do you feel about Vatican "transparency" after reading this book?
10. Thavis published the book and retired from Catholic News Service shortly before Pope Benedict XVI also stepped down. If Thavis wrote a sequel, what would you like to see in it?
Please bring your own comments and questions to our discussion at Barnes & Noble in Cherry Vale Mall at 7 p.m., Oct. 30. Remember, the first 10 who arrive will win a free copy of "The Good Thief" by Robert Vall.
