Reading group questions for The Names

Tuesday 24 June 2025

We hope these questions help guide your group's discussion for this unforgettable debut. We’ve done our best to avoid spoilers, but don’t read this Guide unless you’ve finished The Names – you don’t want to run the risk of ruining any reveals!


  1. Do you think the cover accurately reflects the book? If so, how do you think it’s particularly evocative?
  2. What did you think of the book being divided into three lives of Gordon, Julian and Bear? How did it affect your reading experience?
  3. Have you read another book with a ‘sliding doors’ narrative? If so, how was The Names similar or different to it/them?
  4. Was the prologue effective for you? What did you think of the illustrations at the start of each character’s story?
  5. What genre would you describe The Names as fitting into? What novels would you compare it to? Delve into genre specifics if applicable
  6. Did you find Florence Knapp’s depiction of the various settings authentic? Are any of the settings similar to or different from any places you’ve visited or lived in?
  7. Name the core theme/s of The Names? Do you feel the author handles them effectively?
  8. Use a quote from The Names as a discussion catalyst.
  9. How do Gordon, Julian and Bear grow and change because of the events of the novel? Did your opinion of them change as the book progressed?
  10. Did you see any of the book’s dramatic twists coming? Did any revelation surprise you more than the others?
  11. What did you think of the ending? Did it surprise you? Do you feel everything was resolved?

Latest news

Read an Extract: Middle Rage

Part confessional, part manifesto, Middle Rage is full of Myf Warhurst's humour, warmth and wisdom, with some tips thrown in to help women live their best middle-aged lives.

In the Good Books with Luke Bateman - Hachette Recommended Reads

Explore our featured reads on the In the Good Books podcast

Start Reading No One's Looking

Read an extract from No One's Looking, a comedic and uplifting novel from bestselling author Brooke Davis. Out October 13 2026!

Hachette Memories of Lost & Found

Our staff share how special Brooke Davis' debut was - we’d love to hear your memories too!

Brooke Davis' Letter to Booksellers

The lovely Brooke, a bookseller herself, checks in with her colleagues across Australia to say a big hello.

Alice Oseman is coming to ANZ!

Information on Alice Oseman's - author of Heartstopper - trip to Australia and New Zealand.

Read an extract from The Doubles

Dive into this fast-paced, genre-bending debut!

Q&A with Penny Sunday

Meet Aussie dark romance author Penny Sunday!

Read an extract from The Wretched Divine

From the bestselling author of Belladonna

Ashleigh Barton's Letter to Readers

Ahead of Eighty-Nine Questions for After, Ashleigh shares her thoughts on why sad books are so important for kids.

Read an extract of True Crime

Start reading Patricia Cornwell's thrilling memoir

The Richell Prize Opens 2026

Announcing this year's round of The Richell Prize

Mum's Shelf, Sorted

Happy Mother's Day!

Read an extract from The Chateau on Sunset

Read the new book from bestselling author Natasha Lester

Read an extract from Rat Daniels

Dive into this unforgettable coming-of-age story from a stunning new voice in Australian fiction

Book Club Questions for Margaret, Are You Leaving?

We hope these questions help guide your book club discussion for this heartfelt novel. We’ve done our best to avoid spoilers, but don’t read these questions unless you’ve finished Margaret, Are You Leaving? – you don’t want to risk ruining any reveals!

Welcome to the World of Donovan Bixley

Entertain the kids at home

Read an Extract from Rebirth: A Love Story From the Depths of War

Antoun Issa powerfully captures his mother's true experiences of love, heartbreak and new hope during the violence of civil war.

Celebrating our CBCA 2026 Notables

The Children's Book Council of Australia's 2026 Notables list has been announced!

Meet J.P. Pomare and Candice Fox on tour across NSW

J.P. Pomare and Candice Fox are teaming up for a scintillating series of events across regional NSW. Hear J.P. discuss his highly charged thriller The Gambler and Candice discuss her addictive new novel Redbelly Crossing.

Natasha Lester On Tour | 2026

Meet bestselling author Natasha Lester as she tours Australia

Book Club Questions for The Gambler

We hope these questions help guide your book club discussion for this incredible thriller. We’ve done our best to avoid spoilers, but don’t read these questions unless you’ve finished The Gambler – you don’t want to run the risk of ruining any reveals!

J.P. Pomare Book Tour 2026

J.P. Pomare will tour Australia to discuss his highly charged new crime thriller, The Gambler, marking the start of an electrifying new series featuring PI Vince Reid.

Supporting our Adelaide Writers Week authors

A guide to our authors

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.