Historical Fiction · Free kit
Kin
In 1950s Honeysuckle, Louisiana, Annie and Vernice — Niecy — grow up as motherless cradle friends and each other's first family. Niecy is raised toward college and a respectable marriage; Annie sets out to find the mother said to be in Memphis. Tayari Jones's Kirkus Prize winner is a Southern novel about friendship, class, loyalty, and who counts as kin when blood does not stay.
“Nobody would for one second think to call me shy if I stood next to Niecy — who has been a young lady since the day she was born.”
Complete free book club kit
BookClubee may earn a commission from Bookshop.org purchases, which supports independent bookshops.
Plan your meeting
Kin Hosting Guide
A free, printable-minded plan for hosting Kin.
Invite hook
“Two cradle friends, one Louisiana town called Honeysuckle, and a lifelong argument about who counts as family. Come talk about Kin — bring a take on loyalty.”
The question you’re arguing about: If you had to list next of kin tomorrow, would the name match your legal family — or the person who actually stays?
Shopping list
- □A pitcher of iced tea and a pot of coffee
- □Lemonade, juice, and sparkling water
- □Cornbread and fried chicken for a Honeysuckle porch table
- □Pecan pie or peach cobbler — Southern dessert, nothing fancy
- □Fresh or paper honeysuckle (or magnolia) for the table
- □Plain envelopes and paper for the surprise-touch letters
- □A small jar of evaporated milk as a Pet Milk nod for coffee or dessert
- □Printed bingo cards and extra pens
Day-of timeline
- 0–10 minWelcome & icebreakers (readers, not spoilers — keep Memphis, the window, and the last form off the welcome mat)
- 10–20 minTrivia warm-up — Honeysuckle, Spelman, pistachio-green suitcases, Niecy
- 20–50 minMain discussion (start with the cradle and Irene; save Hattie Lee's door, the McHenrys' no, and next of kin for last)
- 50–65 minSpeed debate: chosen family vs blood, or whether the McHenrys were right
- 65–75 minBingo, one-word rating, pick next month
Surprise touch
Leave a blank envelope at each seat with a card that says only Next of kin. Guests write one name, fold it shut, and keep it private unless they want to share. It is the novel's title as a small object: not a lecture, just the question Annie finally answers on paper.
Wrap-up
- □Group photo with the honeysuckle (or paper vines) and the sealed envelopes in the frame
- □Quick rating round: 1–5 stars and one word each (expect "loyal," "heavy," and "I would have opened the door")
- □Vote on next month's book together