Before the Coffee Gets Cold

1. General Impressions

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

• Prior to publishing this novel, Kawaguchi was known as a playwright. Are there any places where you can see the conventions of drama and playwriting influencing Kawaguchi’s novel? What do you think of this influence?
• Think about other books about time travel that you have read. How does this one compare to those books? How does the time travel mechanic in this book differ from those in other books? Does this book’s time travel mechanic allow it to do anything those other books can’t?

2. Personal Reflection and Connection

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

• Would you want the ability to go back in time one day, in one physical setting, with all the constraints placed on time travel by the novel? Would you be interested in time travel at all? Why or why not?
• Which of the four stories did you like most and why? Which of the four time-traveling women do you relate to most and why?
• Different characters approach “the woman in the dress” differently. How would you approach her?
• In each of the four stories, characters balance pursuing individual goals with their familial and community responsibilities.