“The truth often isn’t pretty. It’s not aspirational. It doesn’t fit neatly into a little square on Instagram.”
Book club questions for The Authenticity Project are a natural fit for Clare Pooley’s heartwarming and thoughtful novel, which explores what happens when strangers choose honesty over silence. Centred around a shared notebook that invites people to write down their deepest truths, The Authenticity Project brings together a cast of unlikely characters, each of them wrestling with loneliness, identity, and the desire to be truly seen.
Beloved by readers and still a top book club pick, the novel sparks meaningful conversations about vulnerability, connection, and the risks – and rewards – of living authentically. From quiet moments of self-reflection to unexpected friendships, Pooley’s story offers plenty to unpack, making it the perfect go-to for group discussions. Whether your book club wants to focus on character journeys, emotional themes, or the potential for human connection, these questions are designed to get the conversation flowing.
The Authenticity Project Summary
Julian Jessop, an eccentric, lonely artist, believes that most people aren’t really honest with one another. But what if they were? And so he writes – in a plain, green journal – the truth about his own life and leaves it in his local cafe. It’s run by the incredibly tidy and efficient Monica, who furtively adds her own entry and leaves the book in the wine bar across the street. Before long, the others who find the green notebook add the truths about their own deepest selves – and soon find each other in real life at Monica’s cafe.
The Authenticity Project is a story about being brave and putting your real self forward – and finding out that it’s not as scary as it seems. In fact, it often looks a lot more like happiness. Clare Pooley’s novel is the tonic for our times, and a read that promises to take your heart and deliver a truly unabashed pleasure.
Check Out Our The Authenticity Project Book Review
The Authenticity Project Book Club Questions
These book club questions for The Authenticity Project are all designed to spark thoughtful, open conversations. Whether your group loves digging into character psychology or reflecting on big emotional themes, breaking the discussion into sections makes it easier for everyone to join in.
Discussion Questions About Honesty & Vulnerability
Honesty sits right at the heart of the book, with the notebook acting as both an invitation and a risk.
- How does the notebook encourage honesty among the characters, especially those who struggle to open up?
- Do you think total honesty is always a good thing, or can it sometimes cause harm?
- Which character do you think was most changed by telling the truth, and why?
- Were there any moments when honesty felt freeing – or uncomfortably exposing?
Character-Focused Book Club Questions
One of the novel’s biggest strengths is its cast of deeply human, flawed characters.
- Which of the characters did you connect with the most, and what made them feel relatable to you?
- How do different characters represent different forms of loneliness – emotional, social, or generational?
- Did your opinion of any character change as the story progressed? What caused this shift?
- Were there any characters that you felt you judged too harshly?
Themess of Community & Connection
At its centre, The Authenticity is a book about finding connection in unexpected places.
- How does the novel depict modern loneliness, especially in urban life?
- What role does chance play in bringing the characters together?
- Do you think these connections would have eventually happened without the notebook, or was it essential?
- What does the book suggest about chosen family versus traditional relationships?
Questions About Structure & Storytelling
The way the story is told shapes how the audience experiences it.
- How did you feel about the use of multiple perspectives throughout the novel?
- Did the notebook feel like a character in its own right? Why, or why not?
- Was there ever a moment that felt particularly realistic or true to life?
- Did the gentle, optimistic tone ever feel unrealistic – or was that part of the book’s charm?
Emotional & Reflective Book Club Questions
These questions often lead to the most meaningful book club conversations.
- Did the book make you reflect on your own sense of authenticity?
- If you were given the notebook, is there something you would have written in it?
- What message did you think Clare Pooley wanted readers to take away from the story?
- Did the novel leave you feeling hopeful, challenged, or a bit of both?
Best Book Club Questions To Spark Debate
If your group is running low on time or wants to dive headfirst into discussion, these standout book club questions for The Authenticity Project are a surefire way of getting people talking:
- Do you think complete honesty is always a positive force in the novel?
- Which character experiences the greatest transformation, and why?
- Is the notebook a tool for healing, or does it sometimes create more problems?
- Would these characters have found a connection without the notebook?
- What does the book say about loneliness in modern society?
- Is authenticity something we owe to others – or just to ourselves?
Wrap Up
The Authenticity Project is the kind of book that naturally lends itself to discussion. Its focus on honesty, vulnerability, and human connection gives book clubs plenty to explore – from personal reflections on authenticity to larger conversations about loneliness and belonging in modern life. With its varied cast of characters and emotionally resonant themes, every reader is likely to come away with a slightly different perspective, which makes for richer, more engaging conversations.
Whether your group is pulled to character-driven stories or enjoys unpacking meaningful themes together, these book club questions for The Authenticity Project are designed to keep the discussion flowing long after the final page. If you’ve already read the book, feel free to share your thoughts or your favourite discussion questions in the comments – it’s always interesting to see how different readers interpret the story.
And if you enjoyed this guide, you might also like exploring some of our other book club question posts for more discussion-worthy reads to throw onto your TBR pile!
Check Out The Best Books Like The Authenticity Project
Part-time reader, part-time rambler, and full-time Horror enthusiast, James has been writing for What We Reading since 2022. His earliest reading memories involved Historical Fiction, Fantasy and Horror tales, which he has continued to take with him to this day. James’ favourite books include The Last (Hanna Jameson), The Troop (Nick Cutter) and Chasing The Boogeyman (Richard Chizmar).
