THE LIBRARIANS OF LISBON

Suzanne Nelson is the award-winning author of dozens of middle grade novels, including You’re Bacon Me Crazy, which was adapted into a romantic comedy movie for the Hallmark Channel. Her YA novel, Serendipity’s Footsteps, was a Sydney Taylor Honor Book. She has written articles about parenting for the Washington Post, and teaches writing workshops for adults and children. She loves reading and writing historical fiction. She was born in New Jersey, grew up in Southern California, attended college in Texas, and spent eight years as a children’s book editor in New York City. She now lives with her family in Ridgefield, Connecticut. Suzanne can be found on Twitter @snelsonbooks and on Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram @suzannenelsonbooks. Her website is suzannenelson.com. This will be her adult fiction debut.

“I could not put it down until I reached the last page! This is absolutely gripping and impeccably researched historical fiction–perfect for fans of Kate Quinn’s The Rose Code and Kristin Hannah’s The Nightingale.” —Kelly Rimmer, New York Times bestselling author of The Things We Cannot Say

“You won’t want to miss out on this terrific read.” —Fiona Davis, New York Times bestselling author of The Lions of Fifth Avenue

“Nelson masterfully weaves a tale filled with espionage, romance, and friendship, as her two heroines navigate a perilous world of secrets and lies. Meticulously researched with richly drawn characters and an atmospheric setting filled with both glamour and danger, this WWII novel is a must-read for fans of Kate Quinn and Pam Jenoff.” —Jane Healey, Washington Post bestselling author of The Beantown Girls

“Nelson expertly weaves an edge-of-your-seat novel that depicts the dangers of espionage with the elegance of high-society reconnaissance, while tugging at the heartstrings. Highly recommend!” —Eliza Knight, USA Today bestselling author of The Mayfair Bookshop

“The Librarians of Lisbon is a gripping espionage thriller and an emotionally nuanced tribute to a lifelong friendship.” —Shelf Awareness

1. Bea and Selene have very different personalities and motives for joining the war effort. Compare and contrast their initial feel- ings about traveling to Lisbon with how they each feel about the war at the conclusion of the book. How do their motives change over the course of the story? Have you ever made a life-changing decision based on motives you questioned afterward? How did your perspective change and why?

2. Secret identities play a pivotal role in The Librarians of Lisbon. How do the characters’ feelings about their subversive roles evolve over the course of the story? How do these roles impact their fates?

3. How do Selene and Bea defy the gender expectations of their time? What about the other women in the novel, like Marguerite, Helen, or Nora? How have expectations regarding women’s roles in wartime changed since World War II? What role might you have wanted to take in fighting the war, had you been alive during that time?

4. Portugal was one of just a few countries who remained neutral during World War II. As you read The Librarians of Lisbon, what did you discover about the cost of neutrality? Did the advantages of neutrality outweigh the disadvantages? Why or why not? What do you think the outcome of the war might have been if Portugal had sided with the Allied or Axis powers?

5. Each of the heroines in The Librarians of Lisbon experience a transformative love. How are Bea’s and Selene’s romantic relationships similar or different? How does love affect the outcome of the story? Has love ever transformed you or led you down an unexpected path, and if so, how?

6. Discuss the scene in which Bea prevents Selene from follow- ing Gable, Luca, and André down to the beach on the night of Luca’s death. Would you have made the same decision as Bea? Why or why not? What does the choice she makes reveal about her personality?

7. Throughout The Librarians of Lisbon, characters are forced to lie to one another to protect themselves, their missions, or those they love. How do each of the characters pay a price for these lies? What are the benefits to their deceptions? Have you ever told a lie to protect someone you love? Are there times when lies might be justified, and if so, why?

8. Friendship plays a vital role in Selene ’s and Bea’s fates. How did their friendship impact their stories? How did their actions hurt and/or help each other throughout the book? Have you ever had to forgive a close friend for hurting you or betraying your trust? How were you able to move past it and repair the friend- ship? If you were Selene, would you have forgiven Bea? Why or why not?

9. Of the characters in the book, which one did you find yourself able to relate to the most? Why? Which characters did you find the most difficult to relate to? Which character’s fate did you find the most surprising? The most poignant?

10. What did you learn about Lisbon and World War II from this book that you didn’t know before? Are there any people or sub- jects you’ll explore further as a result of your reading? What will you remember most about The Librarians of Lisbon?