After May Cobb’s smash-hit, juicy thriller The Hunting Wives took our minds and televisions by storm, All the Little Houses is the perfect return to East Texas and its badly behaved women. Cobb draws from her Longview upbringing in this novel, creating an immersive setting populated by flawed, desperate, and utterly unforgettable characters. This novel’s many twists and shady characters practically beg to be dissected with your book besties over an authentic Texas meal and your beverage of choice.
This kit is your one-stop shop for everything you need to put together an All the Little Houses-themed book club. We’ve gathered discussion questions to dive deeper into the novel, a food and drink menu that would make Charleigh proud, as well as a fun game and attire suggestions for an on-theme, immersive experience.
Discussion Questions:
- How did your feelings about Charleigh and Nellie change throughout the book?
- May Cobb has discussed the importance of setting in her novels, especially Longview, her hometown. How do you think the story would have read differently if it were set elsewhere?
- Which character(s) did you find yourself wanting to know more about by the end and why?
- Who would your dream cast for a TV adaptation of All the Little Houses be?
- The characters of the novel will stop at nothing to reach their goals. Which character(s) did you sympathize the most with and why? Who did you find the most irredeemable?
- Who did you think was the killer and who did you think was the victim before the big reveal?
- What similarities and differences do you see between the arcs of the protagonists of The Hunting Wives and All the Little Houses? Which novel protagonist would you most want to be friends with?
- Complex family dynamics are the heart of this story. How does Charleigh’s trauma from her upbringing influence her and Nellie’s choices?
- What did you make of the ending? Did it surprise you or fulfill on what you thought would happen all along?
- Cobb has confirmed that there will be a sequel to All the Little Houses. What direction do you anticipate this sequel will take?
Menu:
Drinks
A classic margarita with teeth, making it a perfect match for a book about fiery women defying societal expectations.
Orange liqueur puts a uniquely Texan twist on a traditional margarita.
Strawberry Lime Margarita (NA)
Sweet and refreshing, like lemonade on a Longview summer day.
Charleigh highlights this sweet dessert cocktail as a guest favorite for her lavish gatherings. Tune into her tastes and delight your taste buds with this mint-forward concoction.
Sides
Tangy and flavorful, complementing the deep, smoky flavor of any BBQ meat.
This creamy potato salad has a distinctively Texan, spicy twist that rounds out the other food items and beverages perfectly.
Smoky and just a little spicy thanks to a generous amount of BBQ sauce and a hint of jalapeno.
Dab some butter on and drizzle with honey for a perfect hint of hearty sweetness.
Entrées
This savory, comforting gluten-free dish is sure to be a showstopper and can be prepped ahead of time for an easy, delicious entree.
Pile this flavorful, tender pulled pork onto a bun with some coleslaw on top for a true Texas experience, or eat it on its own—you can’t go wrong either way.
Game:
To spice up the book club meeting, here’s a fun game that draws in The Hunting Wives for an even more fun and engaging experience.
For this game, all you’ll need is a Netflix subscription and your eyes. The rules are simple: every time a spicy scene comes on, everyone must yell “yeehaw!” in their best Texas accent. Take a swig of your drink if you feel like doing a little extra.
Attire:
Since All the Little Houses takes place in the 1980s, you have a wealth of styles to pull from. A good rule of thumb is: the bigger the hair and the shoulder pads, the better.
Try embracing outfits with bright colors and bold patterns, such as these Wrangler outfits with long-sleeve button up shirts, high-waisted straight leg pants, and a belt to bring it all together.
You can also go the denim and plaid route to add even more Texas flair. Pair a plaid top and bandana with some high-waisted medium wash jeans and a statement belt to encapsulate the 80s Texas vibes.
Don’t be afraid to pair different denim washes together, as seen in this image. 80s fashion is boundary-pushing by definition, so anything goes!
For hair, a fun idea could be wearing an 80s-style wig, just like Malin Akerman’s infamous wig in The Hunting Wives. You can find lots of different wig styles and colors on Amazon, such as this blonde beehive wig. If wigs aren’t your jam, you could always go for a classic 80s blowout with big, bouncy curls teased to high heaven.
We hope that this guide has inspired you to throw the All the Little Houses-themed book club party of your dreams! The sky is truly the limit when it comes to embracing the Texas charm in May Cobb’s novels. Here’s to a book club with good food and great company that will make you say, “yeehaw!”
The Hunting Wives by May Cobb
When Sophie O’Neill left her big-city job and moved to Texas with her husband and son, she expects an idyllic life in a tight-knit community. Instead, she grows bored and restless, craving the elaborate chaos of city life. Then she meets Margot Banks, who is part of a clique secretly known as the Hunting Wives. Before she knows it, Sophie is swept into a world of target practice, dangerous parties, and obsession. But when a teenage girl’s body is discovered at the Hunting Wives’ meeting place, Sophie is caught in a murder investigation that upends her life.
Buy the book now: Bookshop.org | Amazon
All the Little Houses by May Cobb
In Longview, Texas in the mid-1980s, the Andersons are in charge. Charleigh Anderson remembers clawing her way from poverty to power as a young woman and will do anything to ensure that her daughter, Nellie, gets what she wants. So when a wholesome family moves in from the prairies touting traditional values, Charleigh’s influence over the town is shaken. Who will emerge on top this time?
Buy the book now: Bookshop.org | Amazon
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