Someone Else’s Shoes: Book Club Questions and Discussion Topics

Someone Else’s Shoes by Jojo Moyes is a fantastic pick for a book club! Here’s why:

1. Relatable Themes: The story explores universal topics like reinvention, resilience, identity, and the struggles of balancing life’s demands—all things most readers can connect with.
2. Engaging Characters: Both Nisha and Sam are complex, relatable, and go through significant personal growth, making them perfect for in-depth character discussions.
3. Uplifting and Thought-Provoking: The mix of humor and heart ensures the book is an enjoyable read, while the deeper themes spark meaningful conversations about societal expectations, relationships, and personal strength.
4. Female Empowerment: The book celebrates the power of women supporting each other, which is always a hit with diverse book club groups.
5. Easy to Relate Across Audiences: Whether someone’s drawn to the drama, humor, or emotional aspects, there’s something for everyone to discuss and enjoy.

It’s the kind of book that leaves you thinking, laughing, and inspired—perfect for a lively book club discussion!

20 Someone Else’s Shoes Book Club Questions

Here’s a list of 20 book club questions to spark engaging discussions about Someone Else’s Shoes by Jojo Moyes:

General Themes & Story

1. How did the literal and figurative concept of “walking in someone else’s shoes” play out in the story?
2. What do you think Jojo Moyes is saying about identity and how we define ourselves?
3. How did the themes of resilience and reinvention resonate with you?
4. Were you surprised by the direction Nisha and Sam’s lives took after the bag swap? Why or why not?

Characters

5. Did you find Nisha or Sam more relatable? Why?
6. How did Nisha’s loss of wealth and status change her as a person?
7. Do you think Sam’s struggles at work were portrayed realistically? Why or why not?
8. What did you think of Sam’s relationship with her husband, Phil? How did it evolve throughout the story?
9. Did you sympathize with Carl Cantor’s actions at any point, or did you see him purely as a villain?
10. How did the secondary characters, like Andrea or Jasmine, contribute to the main storyline?

Plot & Writing Style

11. How did the mix-up with the gym bag serve as a metaphor for larger changes in the characters’ lives?
12. Were there any plot twists that took you by surprise?
13. How did Moyes balance humor and emotional depth in the story?
14. Did the alternating perspectives of Nisha and Sam enhance your understanding of the story?

Relationships

15. How did Nisha and Sam’s friendship evolve, and what impact did it have on each of their lives?
16. Do you think Sam’s work situation would have turned out differently without Nisha’s influence? Why or why not?
17. How did the story portray the complexities of marriage, especially in Sam and Phil’s relationship?
18. In what ways did the women in the story support each other, and why was that important?

Reflections & Opinions

19. What message did you take away from the book about starting over or embracing change?
20. If you could change one thing about the ending, what would it be, and why?

These questions should spark meaningful and varied discussions for your book club!

Someone Else’s Shoes: Discussion Topics

Here are some thought-provoking discussion topics for Someone Else’s Shoes by Jojo Moyes to explore with your book club: