Tiny Imperfections

The Devil Wears Prada meets Class Mom in this delicious novel of love, money, and misbehaving parents.
All's fair in love and kindergarten admissions.
At thirty-nine, Josie Bordelon's modeling career as the "it" black beauty of the '90s is far behind her. Now director of admissions at San Francisco's most sought after private school, she's chic, single, and determined to keep her seventeen-year-old daughter, Etta, from making the same mistakes she did.
But Etta has plans of her own--and their beloved matriarch, Aunt Viv, has Etta's back. If only Josie could manage Etta's future as well as she manages the shenanigans of the over-anxious, over-eager parents at school--or her best friend's attempts to coax Josie out of her sex sabbatical and back onto the dating scene.
As admissions season heats up, Josie discovers that when it comes to matters of the heart--and the office--the biggest surprises lie closest to home.

Book club questions for Tiny Imperfections by Alli Frank and Asha Youmans

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

At the beginning of Tiny Imperfections, Josie doesn’t believe she needs to date. Why? Do you think she’s lonely? Do you think Josie is happy with her life?

Why doesn’t Josie want Etta to go to Julliard? Why does Aunt Viv encourage Etta to go? Do you agree with one woman more than the other? What do you think Josie is afraid of?

Josie jokes about the fact that she’s not forty—yet. Why are women afraid to turn forty? What does forty represent for Josie?

How is race explored in the novel? Were you surprised to learn that the novel was written by a black-and-white author duo?

Josie got her start at Fairchild Country Day School when she attended as a student, where she remembers being part of the “dog and pony show” to attract donors. How does Josie feel about the private school world? How has it shaped her life?

Why do you think our society is so focused on going to the “right” school? Do you agree with the parents desperate to get their children into Fairchild?

Discuss how Tiny Imperfections portrays motherhood. What does Josie think of the overbearing parents that apply to Fairchild? How does Josie’s job as admissions director influence her own parenting? Do you think it’s possible to stay realistic when you’re surrounded by extreme wealth and privilege? Why or why not?

Josie thinks: “The more Bay Area parents feign ‘it’s all good, everything will work out,’ my stats show what a higher pain in the ass quotient they are.” Do you think parents and parenting differ across the country?

Lola is the best friend that keeps Josie sane—Josie thinks “Every woman needs a girlfriend who speaks the truth”. How does Lola help Josie throughout Tiny Imperfections? Do you have a best friend that keeps you in line?

At the end of the novel, Golden Boy tells Josie a secret that changes everything. Were you surprised by what he tells her? Have you ever misinterpreted someone’s motives in your own life? Or have you pretended to be something you’re not in order to achieve a goal? Do you agree with his decisions?

Were you surprised by how the novel ended? Why or why not?

Tiny Imperfections Book Club Questions PDF

Click here for a printable PDF of the Tiny Imperfections discussion questions

This recommended reading and discussion guide are shared in partnership with Putnam, an imprint of Penguin Random House.