Q2 2023 Book Club!

Lawline’s quarterly book club is one of the ways we come together to learn and grow, broaden our perspectives, strengthen our bond as a team, and simply have fun. In the second quarter, we embarked on an enlightening journey through two captivating books: "Fierce Conversations" by Susan Scott and "Tomorrow, Tomorrow, Tomorrow" by Gabrielle Zevin. 

The discussion about the book "Fierce Conversations" by Susan Scott facilitated by Michelle DeGonzague, empowered us to have courageous and authentic conversations that lead to meaningful outcomes. In "Tomorrow, Tomorrow, Tomorrow" by Gabrielle Zevin, Gabby DiSilvio led us through a literary journey that inspired us to embrace new opportunities, seize the day, and find purpose in our work and lives. 

Keep reading to learn about Michelle and Gabby’s experience facilitating the book clubs. 

Michelle DeGonzague - Customer Support Manager

What were some of the most memorable moments or discussions that emerged during the book club meetings for “Fierce Conversations”?

• One of the most memorable moments in this book club would be the vulnerability that everyone came with. This book focuses on the importance of having hard conversations, and everyone was so candid in sharing their fears, successes, tips, etc. It made me feel connected to my colleagues and know that we all go through similar feelings. 

Did you notice any recurring themes or patterns in the reactions and reflections shared by the book club members?

• Something I really enjoyed was when one person would say something that they related to in the book, many other book club members voiced that they felt the same. It served as a reminder that we’re more alike than we think, and should try to be more honest with how we're actually feeling!

How has leading the book club enhanced your own understanding and appreciation of Fierce Conversations and literature in general?

• Leading the book club has really made me think about how I approach conversations and how important it is to show up to be your authentic self. It's not always easy, but it's something that stays in my mind, and I try to follow it as much as I can!

Gabby DiSilvio - Lead Program Attorney

What were some of the most memorable moments or discussions that emerged during the book club meeting for "Tomorrow, Tomorrow, and Tomorrow”?

• Everyone who attended the book club realized that they all had experiences with games (video games or otherwise) that impacted their lives or brought back special memories. Play is so unique in that it allows us to have fun, learn, bond, and compete in a fun way, and that's such a great way to make memories. It's something that I think we all should do more often (and of course, it's a Core Value at Lawline, so it's something to embrace at work, too). A memorable quote about play was one of my favorites: "To allow yourself to play with another person is no small risk. It means allowing yourself to be open, to be exposed, to be hurt… To play requires trust and love.” So well-said! 

Did you notice any recurring themes or patterns in the reactions and reflections shared by the book club members? 

• The main themes we discussed included our impressions of the book at the start of reading and at the end; friendships and love; games and playtime; storytelling; and the future for the main characters (since things sort of ended on an open-ended note). We each had different thoughts on the evolving relationship between two of the main characters, Sam and Sadie, and all agreed that their "love story" (if one could call it that) was definitely unique. While there was some disagreement in the group about how to characterize the relationship, we all agreed that it was one that we had never come across before in our respective reading journeys, and that there was definite growth in the way Sam and Sadie eventually came to relate to one another that can only happen through time.

How has leading the book club enhanced your own understanding and appreciation of "Tomorrow, Tomorrow, and Tomorrow," and literature in general?

• Leading the book club allowed me to appreciate all of the different perspectives that can come from reading the same book. I loved hearing stories from the book clubbers about the kind of books that they usually gravitate toward; who judges a book by it's cover (and who doesn't usually read the flap summary); what they considered to be a good friendship; what games they played as children and the bonds that allowed them to form; who the storytellers are in their lives; and their hopes and dreams for these fictional characters. I really enjoyed our conversation and I learned so much about everyone who attended! That's one of my favorite things about reading together - whether or not you loved the book or the ending, much of the fun comes with sharing the experience with others. I think the same can be said about a lot of experiences in life.