Bluebird Day

In this hilarious, heartwarming tale, mother-daughter skiing champs face the bumps in their own relationship when an avalanche in a Swiss village forces them together.

Alpine skiing G.O.A.T. Claudine Potts and her daughter, Wylie, have been bred for gold medal glory. They’re skiing their way to fame, but this gilded future is cut short when a fall forces Claudine’s retirement and Wylie’s debilitating anxiety sends her off the slopes.

With the collapse of their ski careers, their relationship falters and now it’s been years since Wylie and Claudine have even spoken. They live on opposite coasts, pursuing different passions, until a chance opportunity to pair up in a European fitness competition drives them back together. Can this duo survive snow-buried regrets and family secrets and have the happy reunion they’re hoping for?

Set in a dreamy Swiss village with a colorful cast of characters, Bluebird Day will make readers laugh and swoon, as Claudine and Wylie slalom through the complicated terrain of lost ambition, past mistakes, and mother-daughter love.

This discussion guide was provided by the publisher, Zibby Media.

Book club questions for Bluebird Day by Megan Tady

Use these discussion questions to guide your next book club meeting.

Why do you think Wylie takes Claudine’s cycling class so often? Does this habit strike you as sweet (Wylie wanting to maintain a connection with her mom, despite the estrangement) or as sad (highlighting their distance)? Why?

Wylie and Claudine’s relationship is rocky, to put it lightly. Did you find yourself empathizing with one more than the other? Why or why not?

Wylie feels an insane amount of pressure to perform, a feeling that ultimately has devastating and lasting effects on her mental health. What do you think of Wylie’s coping skills and mechanisms?

Why do you think Wylie is in a relationship with Dan? Do you see any parallels between Dan and Claudine?

Dan and Calvin seem like polar opposites— compare and contrast the two men, Wylie’s relationships with each of them, and consider why she is attracted to both of them. What qualities do they possess that draw her to them?

The symbol of food (specifically pastries) throughout the novel equates to joy, freedom from restriction, and comfort. Consider Wylie’s relationship to food throughout the novel—as she starts to enjoy food more, do you see any of her other behaviors/attitudes changing? In what ways? Does her relationship with food seem healthy to you?

What did you think of the reveal regarding the identity of Wylie’s father? Do you forgive Claudine for the secrets she kept?

Happiness is held in opposition to winning throughout Bluebird Day, as Wylie feels pressured to be a ‘winner’ at the expense of her happiness. Why do you think that is? What moments in Wylie’s childhood resulted in this conflict?

What do you make of Claudine refusing to write a biography/memoir and keeping all of her medals and trophies tucked away in a box in the garage?

The quirky set of characters waiting out the storm while at the hostel brings out new sides of Claudine and Wylie, and help create an atmosphere for the mother-daughter duo to reconnect. Which character, if any, do you think had the biggest impact on each of our protagonists? And why do you think that?

Bluebird Day Book Club Questions PDF

Click here for a printable PDF of the Bluebird Day discussion questions