Three Naked Ladies Playing Cellos Reader's Guide

Mary Sullivan Esseff, Love Made Khalil knows the phrase, Love one another, but to a nine-year-old it's only a saying until he learns a valuable lesson from his saintly father. Khalil's parents were immigrants from Lebanon and he grew up in a multi-cultural environment. How did Khalil manage to transcend the two cultures in which he lived?

Douglas C. Smyth, Goat A traveling peddler loses his professional detachment when he realizes the goat lady's vulnerability. What do we lose when we modernize?

Gabriel Stevens, Sometimes you think you're as low as you can go and then things really go wrong. Have you ever known someone who was homeless? How would you feel if you had everything, then suddenly nothing?

Terry Burns, And what were you going to do with that gun? What is your first clue that the character intends to commit suicide?

Michael Ostlund, After more than four years of combat Major O'Malley understood the hazards but still relished the fight. His team was the best, and he owed it to his son. What motivates men in combat? Many of our young men today have served in Bosnia or the Gulf War. How are these men treated the same/differently from those who served in Vietnam, Korea, WWII?

Michelle Buckman, The What was more symbolic of Allysia's union with Chris than her wedding band? Could losing that symbol herald some crushing tragedy? Have you ever looked at a situation and let your beliefs or superstitions rule the moment and affect the outcome?

James Ross Wiley, Another Time, Another A boy of twelve has the chance to prove to the old woman that he is not a hooligan. Do we too often judge people based on their appearances and what other people tell us about them?

Lee Smith, The Third The strange things people do to regain God's favor after those suitcase atom bombs started going off. What is the essence of faith?

Cindy Appel, Calinda is just a lone transport pilot shipwrecked on an uninhabited chunk of cosmic debris. Do you feel that science fiction allows the writer to explore more deeply into the human psyche than is possible in other genres? Discuss.

b.j. lawry, The Big Black Shiny On a very long road trip, don't you inevitably encounter the same nuisance vehicle again and again? Discuss some of the car trips you've taken and what you've done to keep occupied. Do you ever create fantasies to keep you or your children occupied?

Jo Ann Yolanda Hernandez, Straight From The Can an inexpensive gift say what's in your heart? What are the expectations of holidays that make individuals feel they need to give expensive presents?

Susan Shell Winston, Governor Edwards' House Is For The memories don't go with the house. The buyer won't know what to do with them. What do you think Grandpa Edwards is in the first section? A ghost, a presence, or a memory?

Pat Brown, The Lesser Fabled person of the sky, meet fabled inhabitant of the planet that might have been earth. How do you interpret the story, i.e., do you think it is an allegory, a fable, a moral, a real event?

David A. Woodbury, That There was more to her than her face. But he loved that face. Have you ever been betrayed the way Donnie was betrayed by his father?

Don Windle, The Day I Should Have The stuff that makes for blood-racing fiction also happens in real life. Have you ever survived a near-death experience? What was its impact on you? Has your life changed?

Deb Hartrum, Is there anything more poignant than really letting go? Do you know anyone who has AIDS or died from AIDS? How has that affected your life?