Book Club Questions
1. This memoir explores pushing past fear and self-doubt to follow curiosity or seize opportunities. Which moments stood out to you, and how do those kinds of choices resonate in your own life?
2. Mimi’s hikes were as much about inner growth as physical challenge. How do her experiences with Judaism, Buddhism, and spirituality in nature evolve—and how do you relate to them?
3. Gender plays a central role in Mimi’s story—from solo travel to facing harassment.
How did being a woman shape her challenges and opportunities? What parallels do you see in other male-dominated fields?
4. As the daughter of a Holocaust survivor and divorced parents, Mimi’s family shaped
her worldview. How did it influence her ideas about risk, resilience, and belonging?
5. Mimi’s family story highlights the importance of language. How is language used
in the book, and if you grew up in a multilingual home, how did it shape you?
6. Did the memoir shift how you think about the balance between pursuing dreams and safety? Did it change how you view taking risks in your life or encouraging others to
take risks?
7. Expedition life demands patience and acceptance of uncertainty, which Mimi connects to the lack of control in everyday life. How have you navigated uncertainty in your life? Has your reaction to uncertainty changed over time?
8. Travel is woven throughout the memoir. How has travel—or the preference to stay rooted—shaped your life?
9. Mimi describes the events that led her to Everest as random, but feeling like a “symphony of the universe.” Do you believe in randomness, coincidence, fate, or
destiny?
10. Community plays a vital role in Mimi’s story. How did she change through the
different communities she joined, and does her story inspire you to seek out new ones?
Book Club Testimonials
"Our book club of 22 years has read over 200 books together and is a tough group to impress. Right after our meeting to discuss Tap Dancing on Everest, I got texts and calls from our members saying it was one of our most fun and informative book clubs ever. We highly recommend this book to book clubs everywhere for a great read about adventure, empowerment and strong women who truly make a difference." - SJ, Long Island
"It was obvious from the beginning that everyone there truly loved the book. We appreciated the great story, the wonderful writing and the many themes in the book which furthered excellent discussions." - CB, retired educators of the Atlanta Int'l School
"This was one of the liveliest discussions we ever had touching on travels, fear, risk-taking and what choices we've made in our lives. We all loved the book and highly recommend." -BB, Chattanooga
"Our synagogue chose Tap Dancing on Everest for our book club and we all loved it. We walked out feeling a little taller and more alive." - MJ, Atlanta
“Your presentation was exceptional, and it was an honor to listen to you speak after devouring the book! Everyone had a beautiful time!”—Jodi Cutler, Arts and Culture Director, Mandel JCC of Palm Beaches
