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Book Rec: Things You Save in a Fire

“If you play it right, your struggles might even lead you to your strengths.”

 

Cassie Hanwell was born for emergencies. As one of the only female firefighters in her Texas firehouse, she's seen her fair share of them, and she's excellent at dealing with other people's tragedies. But when her estranged and ailing mother asks her to uproot her life and move to Boston, it's an emergency of a kind Cassie never anticipated.

 

book jacket in teal with a ladder and red and orange flowers

The tough, old-school Boston firehouse is as different from Cassie's old job as it could possibly be. Hazing, a lack of funding, and poor facilities mean that the firemen aren't exactly thrilled to have a "lady" on the crew, even one as competent and smart as Cassie. Except for the handsome rookie, who doesn't seem to mind having Cassie around. But she can't think about that. Because she doesn't fall in love. And because of the advice her old captain gave her: don't date firefighters. Cassie can feel her resolve slipping...but will she jeopardize her place in a career where she's worked so hard to be taken seriously?

 

Things You Save in a Fire is a heartfelt novel about the power of forgiveness, honest vulnerability and the courage to forge a new path. Katherine Center explores many layers, with simple prose. I immediately fought for Cassie and her courage to work through the hardships in her life.

 

Discussion Guide for Things You Save in a Fire

 

  1. What different themes are explored in the book? Which ones do you relate to the most?

  2. What did you learn about being a firefighter? What surprised you (like the pranks and jokes inside the fire house)?

  3. Cassie is emotionally closed off after two traumatic events as a teenager. How does Cassie change throughout the novel as she faces these issues?

  4. How would you describe Cassie’s relationship with her mother? How does it evolve over the novel as Cassie begins to heal from her past?

  5. Could you ever be a firefighter? Discuss the physical and mental requirements of this profession.

 

If you liked this one, check out One Summer in Savannah next.


 

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