By /

Lunch Ladies, by Jodi Thompson Carr

Cover of Lunch Ladies

Available now in Paperback, eBook and Audio

Jodi Thompson Carr

Meet Jodi Thompson Carr, the author:

Why I wrote this book:

After a career that included writing hundreds of documents about people I didn’t know, I decided it was time to flip this writing thing on its head. In writing Lunch Ladies, I turned my attention to people everyone knows.

We all know people who read the obituaries — we might even be one of them — but few of us wonder what happens next. We know people who have never once been center stage, but whose contributions are as essential as a streetlight in Hanley, Minnesota. We know people whose broken spirits and dashed hopes may be redeemed in ways they’d never expect; and we know people whose hope isn’t just lost, it’s gone.

Applause! Applause!

“Carr weaves three unique perspectives into a touching, small-town montage of the many moments that make up a life…. the clear writing allows the women’s experiences, thoughts, and emotions to take center stage.”

BookLife Prize – 2025

“A satisfying shift in perspective gives Lunch Ladies a full-bodied flavor of adventure and discovery as each woman navigates family, hurt feelings, anger, and new options ….Discussion points at the novel’s end maker for … closer examination of small-town relationships in general and women’s transformations in particular.”

Midwest Book Review

“This novel touched my heart as the author brought to life three women in a small town, each grappling with the complexity of relationships amidst tragedy and loneliness. I loved the writing and the character development, it had me rooting for each of these women…. Jodi Thompson Carr has a gift for capturing the quiet moments that shape a life…”

Amazon Reader Review

More Info >>

Talk a Little, Talk a Lot

Lunch Ladies is a perfect choice for book club discussions. When she can, Jodi loves joining the conversation, virtually or in person. Thirteen discussion questions are included at the back of the book. Here are two examples:

Does Hanley, Minnesota remind you of anywhere you’ve been? How would you describe it as a town and as a community? What elements of the story helped paint the picture for you?
Grief and loss touched each of the primary characters, and they responded in very different ways. Discuss how various characters’ loss of loved ones shaped their choices and relationships. Why do you think some people are able to cope, or even flourish, following a traumatic event? And others are not?
Buy Now >>

Other Topics and Titles You Might Enjoy

Africa Alcoholism Anthology Art Atlanta Bicentennial Birds Book Banning Book clubs Brooklyn Chronic illness Early 1900s Ecology Family Relationships Faraway Places Historical Mystery Japanese Internment Jazz Legends Magic Medieval Mexico Midlife Native Americans Peace Corps Poetry Prostitution Scotland Siblings True Crime Women Sleuths Writers/Poets

Cover of Madam May

Madam May

May strives to become an independent woman in early 1900s Atlanta and was willing to do whatever it took to become one, in spite of…
Read More

Or choose one of these topics:

Africa Alcoholism Anthology Art Atlanta Bicentennial Birds Book Banning Book clubs Brooklyn Chronic illness Early 1900s Ecology Family Relationships Faraway Places Historical Mystery Japanese Internment Jazz Legends Magic Medieval Mexico Midlife Native Americans Peace Corps Poetry Prostitution Scotland Siblings True Crime Women Sleuths Writers/Poets

Scroll to Top