Kerri Schlottman
writer of novels & other things
Book Clubs
While TELL ME ONE THING spans multiple decades, most of the novel is set in the 1980s, which is the perfect reason to host an 80s themed book club party. I've compiled some things to help you do so.
Get the look and vibe below and please share pics if you go all out. I would love to see them. I'm also available to join virtually or in-person (NYC area) if you'd like to ask me questions. Have fun!
SET THE MOOD WITH MUSIC
I collaborated with Largehearted Boy to make this fun playlist of 80s songs for you. Some are from the novel, while others inspired it. Tune in on Spotify.
GET YOUR GRUB ON
Quinn and Eric love getting the pancakes and beer special at the diner. This fun recipe combines them into Beer Pancakes! Perfect for a brunch book club meeting.
GET INTO CHARACTER
"Cool and annoying older sister" has created the perfect 80s Punk Mall mood board to help you get into character. Tear up your jeans, rip up your t-shirt, and get your cool on. Will be you be Quinn or Lulu, or maybe Billy or Alex? Share pics! I want to see you!
ALL ABOUT THE HAIR
The 80s were all about that hair! Let it down, tease it out, make it wild. Patti and Robert did it best. Check out the photos at Holden Lutz Gallery.
TATS AND THE 80s
Tattoos became popular in the 70s and exploded in the 80s. Lulu and Joey get each others initials tattooed. Not ready to commit to a permanent look? Tattly has the perfect temporary tattoos for you.
FINAL TOUCHES
Channel the 80s with these makeup ideas from Allure. Dramatic eye shadows, metallic shimmers, a pop of color on the lips – the 80s were all about attention.
BUY THE LOOK
You can buy that vibe from your local thrift store or check out one of my favorite indie, woman-owned stores Shop Saffron in Royal Oak, Michigan. Marianne carefully curates vintage hits. Rocker t-shirts, ripped jeans, accessories – they have it all. Bonus, they ship!
FASIONISTA has some great guy's styles. Think: denim, sneakers, and beatboxes.
GET THE STYLE
Get the hair with ICON Network's tutorial. You'll need: a brush, a comb and some powerful hairspray to hold that height.
Plus, Style Craze has a great page of 80s hairstyles to inspire your do, including this fantastic "Frohawk."
DON'T FORGET TO TAKE PICS!
Quinn captures her renowned photo of Lulu with a Polaroid, but she mostly carts around her 35. Check out the popular cameras in the 80s.
Retrospekt has a bunch of vintage and refurbished cameras to help you capture your book club vibe.
TELL ME ONE THING SUGGESTED BOOK CLUB QUESTIONS
WARNING: CONTAINS SPOILERS
Question 1
Quinn struggles throughout the story with her decision not to intervene in the moment when she takes the photograph of Lulu and the trucker. Do you think she made the right decision? What could she have done to help? What might have happened had she intervened?
Question 2
The book has underlying themes of privilege even though both Lulu and Quinn struggle in various ways. What are examples in the novel where Quinn and her friends exhibit privilege not afforded to Lulu and those in her life? How do these moments impact the trajectory of Lulu’s story?
Question 3
Though more explicit in Quinn’s life, both women experience success in relation to their struggles. What are some of the ways that Lulu experiences success? How do her successes shape her as a person?
Question 4
In which ways does the love of other characters impact the women? Should Lulu have confronted Quinn at the artist talk? What might have made her decide not to? What might have happened if she had?