Book #16: Learning to Speak Southern, Lindsey Rodgers Cook

It was an honor to have Lindsey Cook the author with us today to discuss her book Learning to Speak Southern.

 A searing Southern story about confronting the difference between the family you're born into and the family you choose, from the acclaimed author of How to Bury Your Brother

Lex fled Memphis years ago, making ends meet with odd jobs teaching English around the world. She only returns when she has no choice, when her godmother presents her with a bargain she can't refuse. Lex has never understood her mother, who died tragically right before Lex's college graduation, but now she's got a chance to read her journals, to try and figure out what sent her mother spiraling all those years ago.

The Memphis that Lex inhabits is more bourbon and bbq joint than sweet tea on front porches, and as she pieces together the Memphis her mother knew, seeing the lure of the world through her mother's lush writing, she must confront more of her own past and the people she left behind. Once all is laid bare, Lex must decide for herself: What is the true meaning of family?

• Discussion Questions 

  ∙  Which characters, if any, did you find to be most relatable? Did you connect with Lex? Were

  there any characters you wished you knew more about?

• ∙  Discuss Lex’s childhood. How does it affect how she behaves as an adult?

• ∙  How did you feel about Cami’s deal with Lex to trade a task for a letter? Do you think it was fair? What would you do if you were in Cami’s place? What would you do if you were in Lex’s place?

• ∙  Describe your first impression of Margaret from her letters and journal. How does your first impression compare to the Margaret of the final entry?

• ∙  When Lex and Margaret argue about the fraudulent loans her father took out in their names, Margaret insists, “You just don’t know what love is.” Do you agree with this definition of love? What would you do if you were in Margaret’s place? What about Lex’s?

• ∙  What do Lex and Margaret have in common? In what ways do they differ?

• ∙  Grant is the only person her age that Lex allows to get close to her. Describe their friendship.

  Why is it important to Lex? What does it mean to her?

• ∙  As each secret is revealed, Lex gets one step closer to understanding who her real family is. How do you define family? Do you think there’s a significant difference between the family that raises you and the family you choose?

• ∙  Lex ultimately decides not to confront John at his book reading. Would you have done the same? Why or why not?

• ∙  Learning to Speak Southern deals with the complicated process of grieving someone while learning about the life they truly led. Do you think we ever really know the people around us? Are there some things that we can’t know until our loved ones are gone?

• ∙  Lex says, “In a crowd, my mind never rests, which is how I like it. I drown out my thoughts by listening to everyone else talk,” suggesting she uses language as a
  means to soothe herself in times of turmoil. How do you deal with
  stress and anxiety?

• ∙  Lex carries her trusty Word Origins Dictionary and tells us the history behind words like “dream” and “elbow.” Is there any word or phrase origin you’ve always wondered about? Look it up and share it with the group!

• ∙  What do you think Lex will do next with her life? Do you think she’ll be happy?