Wait for Me Book Club Questions

Wait for Me by Amy Jo Burns was published on March 3rd, 2025, and it was chosen to be the Read with Jenna book club pick for that month. It’s a story that has lots to digest and discuss, so these Wait for Me book club questions below will be the perfect starting point for your book club discussion.

I know that it can be difficult to think of book club questions while enjoying a book that sucks you right in and won’t let you go. That is why I made this post. I wanted you to be able to read the book and experience the music of Elle and Marijohn while I provided you with the Wait for Me Book Club questions.

Jackie also created this list of Book Club Questions (+PDF). These are universal questions that you can use in addition to the specific ones I have below.

I have tried to keep this as spoiler-free as possible, but I knew that any Wait for Me Book Club questions would be incomplete without some details.

If you need a recap of the book before your book club, feel free to head over to my post Summary of Wait for Me. There, you will find important details to help jog your memory.

Article Contents

Wait for Me Book Club Questions and Discussion Guide

Do you think the title of the book is a good one? Would you have named it something different?
Elle’s young life is marked by tragedy and loss. How do you think that influenced her decision-making later in life?
Merry is ultimately a minor character (in terms of on-page time) who plays a significant part in Elle’s life. Why is it that knowing someone for only a little while can have such a profound impact on us as humans?
Elle doesn’t believe she is a major part of Merry’s life or that Merry needed her. Do you agree?
Abe says he was collecting items from Elle because he wanted to give Marijohn a past. Do you think that was entirely true?
What did you learn from the songs throughout the book? Did it make you appreciate songwriting more?
Did you have a favorite song?
What did you think of the narrative device of having the women’s songs intersperse throughout the book? If you listened to the audiobook, what did you think of the musical performances?
Josie feels that she’s the same as Elle, but Elle thinks that she is poor while Josie is broke and those are different things. Do you agree?
How did your feelings about Josie change over the course of the story?
After what happened to Jaqueline, Elle reflects that Josie didn’t want her, and like Merry, Elle feels the lesson is to love someone best, you should leave them alone. When you read that, how did you feel? Do you think that’s ever true?
Elle and Marijohn both have people they love steal their music. Do you think that is why Elle takes such a shine to Marijohn?
What did you think of Weston and Lazarus as romantic interests? Did they deserve the love of Elle or Marijohn?
Did you have a favorite of the trio of female musicians throughout this book? Or a favorite character in general?
How are Elle and Marijohn’s stories paralleled, and how do they differ?
What do you think of the roles of the mother-figures in the story? Think about Merry, Susannah, Josie’s mother, and even Elle and Josie. How did the way they mothered impact the story?
What do you think will happen to Elle and Weston? What about Marijohn and Lazarus?
Do you think Josie will ever stop being a recluse? Will she connect with Marijohn?
Elle wants to leave on her own terms, but she says she will be back. Do you think she and Josie will ever see each other again?

Expert Tip

If you cannot remember character names or what happened in the plot, head over to my post: Summary of Wait for Me by Amy Jo Burns. In this post, you will find everything you need to refresh your memory before your Wait for Me Book Club.

If you are hosting a Wait for Me Book Club at your house, there are some things you can do to elevate the book club.

Consider playing folk music and some country hits from the 70s and 90s!
Consider your food choices. Food doesn’t play a role in the story, but Nashville is famous for its fried hot chicken, biscuits, and other southern staples.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Wait for Me by Amy Jo Burns

Is Wait for Me by Amy Jo Burns Being Made into a Movie?

It has not yet been optioned, but it would make a fantastic adaptation! I’m hoping it will become a bestseller and a producer will option the rights.

Is Wait for Me by Amy Jo Burns a good pick for my book club?

Absolutely. There is so much to discuss within this dual-timeline story. From motherhood to music, finding and losing love, to the grit of musicians, there is plenty to sink your teeth into in this story.