Literary Fiction · Free kit
Small Things Like These
In the weeks before Christmas 1985, coal merchant Bill Furlong makes his rounds in a small Irish town — until what he finds at the local convent forces him to see what everyone has agreed not to see. A spare, devastating Booker-shortlisted novel about conscience, complicity, and the cost of doing one right thing.
“Was there any point in being alive without helping one another?”
Complete free book club kit
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Plan your meeting
BookClubee take
Vibe check
Our editorial snapshot of how this book tends to land at club night — not a crowd average.
Craft
- Overall5
- Plot4
- Characters5
- World building4
- Ending5
How it feels
- Spice—
- Tears5
- Surprises2
- Humor1
- Comfort2
What’s in this kit
Everything below is free — open a section, use it at your meeting, or print what you need. No account required.
- Discussion Questions20 book-specific questions labeled warm-up, debate, and deep dive.
- Icebreakers15 fast warm-ups about the reader — not the plot.
- CharactersProfiles, dynamics map, and superlative awards.
- Trivia20 interactive questions from easy to hard.
- Would You Rather25 impossible choices inspired by the book.
- BingoPrintable book-club bingo for reading and live discussion.
- This or That40 rapid-fire choices plus a 60-second speed round.
- Speed DebatesPick a side and defend it against the clock.
- Hosting GuideShopping list, timeline, surprise touch, and wrap-up.
- PrintablesStickers, quote cards, invites, and review sheets.
How to run your meeting
1. Warm up
Start with icebreakers or a quick trivia round.
2. Discuss
Use the labeled discussion questions — warm-up to deep dive.
3. Play & wrap
Would You Rather, bingo, or a speed debate — then rate the book.
Frequently asked questions
Is this Small Things Like These book club kit free?+
Yes. Everything on this page is free — discussion questions, games, trivia, and hosting tips. No account required.
Does this kit spoil the book?+
Discussion questions, trivia, and character material include spoilers (the convent, Magdalene laundry abuse, Sarah, Bill’s choice). Finish the novella first — it’s short. Icebreakers and most This or That prompts work as warm-ups without plot spoilers. The book deals with institutional abuse of girls and women; take care with your group’s comfort.
What's in the Premium Kit?+
The Premium Kit on Etsy is the full printable pack: discussion guide, character cards, trivia, bingo, games, hosting checklist, and review sheets — ready to print for your meeting.
How long should our meeting run?+
Plan about 60–70 minutes. The book is short but heavy: 10 minutes of icebreakers, 30 minutes of discussion, 10–15 minutes of a quieter game or speed debate, then wrap-up. Leave room for silence — this one doesn’t need to be rushed.
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