To my best friend, Cait Hoyt, for forcing her friendship on me when we were just babies starting out in New York. What would I do without you? You are the most special snowflake of them all.

To my editor, Sarah Knight, for being the first to swoop in on the book, for articulating my thoughts before I even thought them myself, for pushing me to attend to my words with a “gimlet eye” when I was running out of steam, and for making me see that I could not let them “get away with it.”

To my film agent, Michelle Weiner at CAA, who told me that getting a movie made is like pushing a boulder up a mountain. Thank you for pushing. Also for the beautiful jewelry recommendations.

To my publicist, Kate Gales, for paying attention to the details like it was her own wedding and making me feel like I was in such capable hands, and to my marketing manager, Elina Vaysbeyn, for all her behind-the-scenes hard work. To everyone at Simon and Schuster for all their rousing words of encouragement and support in e-mails that I plan to frame and hang over the grand desk I will one day write from: Carolyn Reidy, Jonathan Karp, Marysue Rucci, and Richard Rhorer.

To my mentor, John Searles. I know that word makes you cringe, but there’s no other way to put it. You hired me at Cosmo as a wide-eyed twenty-three-year-old totally in awe of your writing career. Thank you for your endless support and encouragement, for telling me I could do it, for listening to me bitch and moan about doing it, and for making me laugh when I officially entered “fork” territory.

To Kate White for teaching me to go big or go home, to ask for what I want, and how to suss out people’s sweet spots. I will carry your advice with me for my entire career.

To Joanna Coles and Joyce Chang, two inspiring editors in chief who have encouraged, motivated, and challenged me in all the best ways.

I’d also like to thank my brother, Kyle, for all his love and support, for talking up the book to anyone who would listen, and for being such a bright spot in my life. I knew this is exactly who you would become and I am so proud of you.

Thank you to my in-laws: Barbara for being my number one fan and fastest reader/updater ever, and Andy and Natalie, who no doubt broke some presale orders record, for all your love and support from across the pond.

And special thanks to Dave Cullen, author of the eye-opening book Columbine, for providing so much insight into the psyches of those responsible for the attack on Columbine High School.

To my own set of “annoyingly photogenic” friends who are kind and loving and nothing like the characters in this book, who have been so excited and supportive of me and have tolerated me babbling on and on about this after one too many glasses of wine for the last year—thank you.

Bringing up the anchor: thank you to my husband Greg, the best manager a girl could ask for, for letting me be the “talent.” Thank you for being a good sport when I would banish you to the bedroom so I could take over the living room to work. Thank you for talking me up to anyone who would listen, for being my first preorder, for your unbridled pride in me that’s made me love you even more.

LUCKIEST GIRL ALIVE

BY JESSICA KNOLL

READING GROUP GUIDE

This reading group guide for Luckiest Girl Alive includes an introduction, discussion questions, and ideas for enhancing your book club. The suggested questions are intended to help your reading group find new and interesting angles and topics for your discussion. We hope that these ideas will enrich your conversation and increase your enjoyment of the book.

INTRODUCTION

As a teenager at the prestigious Bradley School, Ani FaNelli endured a shocking, public humiliation that left her desperate to reinvent herself. Now, with a glamorous job, expensive wardrobe, and handsome blue blood fiancé, she’s this close to living the perfect life she’s worked so hard to achieve.

But Ani has a secret.

There’s something else buried in her past that still haunts her, something private and painful that threatens to bubble to the surface and ruin everything.

With a singular voice and twists you won’t see coming, Luckiest Girl Alive explores the unbearable pressure that so many women feel to “have it all” and introduces a heroine whose sharp edges and cutthroat ambition have been protecting a scandalous truth, and a heart that’s bigger than it first appears.

The question remains: will breaking her silence destroy all that she has worked for—or, will it, at long last, set Ani free?

TOPICS & QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION

1. Ani tells the reader “I’m no plucky heroine.” Do you agree? Why or why not? Did your opinion of Ani change as you learned more about her past? If so, why?

2. During the course of the book, the way that Ani is identified changes. At varying times, she is TifAni FaNelli, Tif, Finny, and Ani Harrison. What do these names indicate about her and how she relates to herself and others?

3. Why do you think Ani agrees to participate in the documentary about the Five? What was her role in the tragedy? How has it shaped her as an adult?

4. When describing Arthur for the documentary, Ani remembers how “he was the only one who stood up for me when a lot of people turned on me.” Why is it so important that she shares something positive about him? Discuss Ani’s friendship with Arthur. Why do you think he defended her? What was your first impression of Arthur? Did your feelings about him change? If so, why?

5. Ani says the word “fiancé” does not “bother me so much as the one that came after it. Husband. That word laced the corset tighter, crushing organs, sending panic into my throat with the bright beat of a distress signal.” Discuss why it is so important to Ani to be married before the documentary airs. Do you think, as Ani does, that her engagement ring is a symbol of status and legitimacy? What compromises, if any, must Ani make for the sake of her engagement? Do you think the compromises are worth it? Explain your answer.

6. What were your initial impressions of Dina FaNelli? After learning what happened to Ani at Dean’s party, Dina “told me I was not the daughter she raised.” What values did Dina impart? Do you think she was a good mother? Why or why not?

7. During Ani’s junior year of high school, she takes a trip to New York City with her classmates. How is this trip a watershed moment for her? Contrast the reality of her life in New York City with the vision of her future that she had then. Has she achieved the success she dreamed of? How does Ani measure success? Does this change by the novel’s conclusion? In what ways?

8. Although Ani initially distrusts the documentary director, Aaron, she begins to think of him as “kind, rather than leering.” What causes Ani to change her mind? Do you think Aaron has her best interests at heart? Ani’s burgeoning trust of Aaron ultimately leads her to wonder “if that had been the reality all along, and, if it was, what else I’d read wrong.” Many of the characters in this book struggle to distinguish their perceptions from reality. Are there any who are particularly adept at it? If so, who are they? Discuss how they manage to do it.

9. Explain the significance of the title of the book. When Ani is called the “‘luckiest girl alive,’” the phrase is used derisively. Who describes her as such and why? By the conclusion of the book, did you think Ani was lucky? If so, in what way?

10. What do you think led to the tragedy at Bradley? Could it have been prevented, and, if so, how? What role, if any, does Ani play in the tragedy?

11. After Luke meets Ani’s parents, he says “I can’t believe I’m the one who got to save you.” Discuss Luke’s relationship with Ani. Do you think he did save her from her past? Why is he so reluctant to speak with Ani about it? Did you think Luke and Ani were well suited?