Literary Fiction · Free kit
Theo of Golden
An 86-year-old stranger named Theo arrives in the small Southern city of Golden one spring morning and begins a quiet campaign of generosity: purchasing pencil portraits from a local coffeehouse and returning each to its subject in exchange for their story. Portrait by portrait, person by person, Theo weaves himself into the fabric of Golden—healing wounds, revealing secrets, and proving that the smallest acts of kindness can transform ordinary lives forever.
“Sometimes the greatest gift we can give another person is to see them—truly see them—and let them know they matter.”
Complete free book club kit
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Plan your meeting
Theo of Golden Hosting Guide
A free, printable-minded plan for hosting Theo of Golden.
Invite hook
“An 86-year-old stranger arrives in Golden with a mission: return 92 portraits to their subjects and collect their stories.”
The question you’re arguing about: What if the smallest act of seeing someone—truly seeing them—could change everything?
Shopping list
- □Coffee and tea (reflecting the Chalice coffeehouse at the heart of the story)
- □Biscuits or cornbread (Southern comfort food)
- □Fresh fruit and honey (simple, elegant, like Theo's approach to life)
- □Sparkling water with lemon (refreshing and unpretentious)
- □Small notebooks or blank cards (for guests to write anonymous acts of kindness they want to do)
- □String lights or candles (for a warm, reflective atmosphere)
Day-of timeline
- 0–10 minWelcome & icebreakers
- 10–20 minTrivia warm-up
- 20–50 minMain discussion (warm-up + debate questions)
- 50–65 minSpeed debate: Was Theo healing himself or helping others?
- 65–75 minWrap-up: Rate the book, vote on next month, share one act of kindness
Surprise touch
Bring blank cards and ask each guest to write one anonymous act of kindness they plan to do in the next week—something inspired by Theo. Seal them in envelopes and mail them back in a month as a reminder. It turns the book club into action.
Wrap-up
- □Group photo with string lights or candles
- □Quick rating round: One word to describe how Theo of Golden made you feel.
- □Vote on next month's book and confirm the date