1. Discuss the title. What is The Heart of Winter?

2. At the beginning of the book, Abe believes his 90th birthday will be his last. How does this opening set up the story?

3. Frankness and honesty are a key part of Abe and Ruth’s marriage. How does it help them over the years? What do you think of this philosophy?

4. In sharing her diagnosis, Ruth reflects on each of her children. How do the different family relationships develop over the book?

5. Ruth and Abe’s first meeting doesn’t go well. What do you think made them fit together in spite of it?

6. What did you think of Abe’s plan to challenge Ruth to a bowling contest for a date?

7. How does becoming a mother change Ruth?

8. Abe surprises Ruth by getting a job on Bainbridge Island. What did you think of his plan? How does the small town compare to the city?

9. “Ruth couldn’t help but think of that first night...how Abe had all but begged to accompany Ruth to church the next day, just to be near her. Now that he’d secured a future with Ruth, such eager devotion was a thing of the past.” (p. 100) What do you think of Ruth’s thoughts here?

10. How do the family dynamics work and change before and after Ruth’s surgery? How do health concerns interfere with or help their relationships?

11. How did Ruth and Abe handle the situation with Leonard Haruto, both separately and together?

12. The children want Ruth to go to Twin Pines for recovery care after she leaves the hospital, while Abe wants her to come home to the farm. Did you understand both sides? Which would you have suggested? Did your opinion change based on what happened next?

13. How does Karen’s disappearance and death impact the family?

14. Ruth calls Abe her “counterpoint.” How do we see that dynamic demonstrated between them?

15. How did you feel at the end of the book?