Be Ready When the Luck Happens

How familiar were you with Ina Garten before reading this book? Have you watched her TV show? Cooked from any of her cookbooks? If you were familiar with her, how did her self-depiction in this memoir align with or depart from your perception of her? What, if anything, from her life story surprised you?

How did Ina's childhood and relationship with her parents impact her choices later in life?

Ina and Jeffrey go on a life-changing road trip in Europe. How did travel change Ina? Have you ever gone on a trip that impacted your life?

Ina bought the Barefoot Contessa in the Hamptons sight unseen. What made her take on such a big risk? Would you ever take a similar risk? Why or why not?

Were you surprised to learn that Ina and Jeffrey separated for a time? What drove them apart? What brought them back together? What lessons for marriage and partnership do you take from this recounting?

Ina Garten's catch phrase is "How easy is that!" Would you describe her life as easy? Why or why not?

What did you think of Garten's writing style? Discuss her authorial tone as well as the decision to not tell the story completely chronologically.

Everyone loves Jeffrey! How did the book portray him and his relationship with Ina?

Which sections of the book (or of Ina's life) were most interesting to you? Which fell flat as topics for a memoir?

The title of the book is "Be Ready When the Luck Happens." Would you describe Ina as a particularly lucky person? What were times when luck played a role in her life trajectory? How was she "ready" for it? What actions can we all take to be ready for luck?