- List the ten books that have most shaped who you are today and write down a few sentences per book of how they have shaped you.
- Lewis often describes the gift of reading as the opportunity to “see through others’ eyes.” Which books have you read that have revealed to you a very different view of the world from your own? How did these experiences change you?
- Which books should you read that would open up other worlds you are not familiar with—allowing that the differences could be cultural, racial, religious, historical, or something else?
- Lewis highly values re-reading old books, even books from childhood. Which books have you re-read, and why did you choose to re-read them? Which books have you read more than twice? How have these books affected you?
- Write down your earliest childhood memories of books that transported you and created in you a love of books? Have you re-read these titles lately? Were they still magical? How did these early experiences influence you?
- List the “old books” you will commit to read as a break from reading all contemporary ones.
- What do you think of the genre of books called fairy stories or books of fantasy and magic—of which Lewis had much to say? Which titles have influenced you most and what do you think they have taught you about the “real” world?
- Lewis writes movingly about the discovery of his favorite author, George MacDonald. Who would you say is your favorite author, and what role has he or she played in your life?
- Lewis emphasizes the importance of reading for pleasure. Which kinds of books do you read solely for this purpose (even if they are guilty pleasures)? Why do you think this type of reading is important?