In Five Years

1. General Impressions 

 Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

• Did you see the final plot twist of the novel coming? What clues in the text led you to expect this twist?
• In Five Years blends the genres of romance and magical realism. How did you feel about this combination of genres? Were there any moments in the plot that you think blended these elements better or worse than others?
• Did you believe Dannie and Aaron would get together? Was there ever a moment that convinced you of this, or that Dannie would finally marry David?

2. Personal Reflection and Connection 

 Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

• Did you find Dannie or Bella more relatable? Did you like either character more at the end of the novel than at the start?
• Do you think you could have a platonic relationship with the love of your life? Do you have a relationship like the one between Dannie and Bella that leads you to your answer? 
• Have you ever put off a major decision because something about it didn’t feel right? If you were in Dannie’s position, would you have ended your relationship with David? 
• What did you feel when you read about Bella’s cancer diagnosis? Were you expecting something like this from a romance novel?
• Do you believe in found family? Why or why not?

3. Societal and Cultural Context 

 Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes.

• Do you think the novel is a commentary on the romance genre? How does Serle’s subversion of the genre reflect your view of it?
• In Five Years was published during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, a time when many felt lonely and isolated. How do you think this affected the reception of the novel and its themes?

4. Literary Analysis 

 Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and symbolism.

• How do you think the novel subverts the romance genre? Have you ever read a romance like this?
• How does Michael’s death influence Dannie’s decisions throughout the novel? How does it affect her relationship with the past and the present?
• Is the apartment Bella buys merely a setting of the novel or does it have any symbolic or thematic significance? Is Dannie and Bella’s relationship impacted at all by their physical surroundings?
• What do you think Serle is trying to say about fate? Do you think she believes in it, or does she imply that we have free will over our lives? 

5. Creative Engagement 

 Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

• If you could see a brief moment from five years in your future, would you want to see it? If you saw it, would it make you change the way you are living now?
• Imagine Bella also saw the moment in the future that Dannie did. How do you think the book would be different if this happened? 

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