Book Club Discussion Questions and Guide for The Weight of a Piano by Chris Cander

The Weight of a Piano by Chris Cander

The Weight of a Piano

by Chris Cander

  • Critics' Consensus (2):
  • Readers' Rating (3):
  • Published:
  • Jan 2019, 336 pages
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Book Club Discussion Questions

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Please be aware that this discussion guide will contain spoilers!

  1. Why do you think the author decided to open the story with a description of the origins of the Blüthner piano? Did anything surprise you about the piano's history? What major themes of the novel does this first chapter foretell?
  2. How would you describe Clara Lundy? What has she "always prided herself on" (page 13), and why does she refuse romantic advances and offers of help from Peter? What leads to the failure of Clara's relationships with Ryan and Bobby? What does this reveal about her ideas of love and connection? What values ultimately seem to be the most important to Clara?
  3. How does Katya come to own the Blüthner piano? Who owned the piano before her, and what did people imagine about the piano's former owner? Were they correct in their assumptions about this person? How did Katya feel about the former owner? What did Katya's father believe about this person's character, and what made him think this?
  4. Explore the theme of memory. What does Clara remember about her parents, their relationship, and their home life together? What were "the moments Clara recalled most vividly" (page 21)? Would you say that her memory is reliable? How are the other characters impacted by their own memories? What might the novel reveal or suggest about the nature of memory?
  5. Analyze the treatment of loss and grief in the novel. How does Clara cope with the loss of her parents and their home? How do her new caretakers try "to soothe her" (page 22)? What method seems to be most helpful to her? Where does she learn "how to live with her losses" (page 22)? What losses do the other characters suffer, and how do they cope with these losses and the grief that accompanies them? Are any of the characters able to overcome their grief or reach catharsis? If so, how?
  6. Consider the important role that art plays in the lives of the characters. Which of the characters create art, and why do they do this? What was Katya's first love? Why does Greg enjoy photography? What does Boris believe can be accomplished via dance and performance? How are these characters affected by their proximity to the arts? Likewise, how are the characters in the novel affected by their experience of art created by others?
  7. Why does Mikhail insist that the family leave their home in Leningrad and go to America? How does Katya feel about this? What does the novel reveal about the experience of immigration and the American Dream? What does the process of immigration entail? What hardships does the family endure as they make this transition? What must they leave behind? What risks do they take? Is the family ultimately better off in America? Discuss.
  8. Why does Boris visit Katya after three and a half years? What does he tell Katya is his "wish" (page 67)? What does he believe is their duty? How does Katya respond to his proposal? What makes her believe that the visit may be a test?
  9. Why does Clara decide to sell the Blüthner piano, and who buys it? What does the purchaser say that he wants with the piano? What does he tell Clara he is "trying to depict" (page 74) with the piano? What does he want the piano to symbolize?
  10. Who does Katya believe is talking to her once she is in America? What does she hear? Why does she ask her husband if they can visit Death Valley? How does she feel when she looks at the photographs her husband took of her there? What does she believe they reveal?
  11. What fable does Katya share with her son Grisha and what is the message at the heart of this fable? What does the story reveal about its storyteller? What does Grisha not realize about the story until he is an adult?
  12. What surprises Greg about Clara's piano when he finally gets to see it in person, and why does it make him emotional? What didn't he notice in the photographs of the piano at the time of its purchase? Why does Clara decide to follow Greg from this point on?
  13. Who does Katya receive a letter from, and what message does it contain? What does the sender tell Katya will change the world? Why is Katya overjoyed after receiving the letter, and how does she offer to repay the messenger who delivers the letter? How does this decision affect her life and the life of her son?
  14. What does the novel suggest about how well we can know other people—and ourselves? How well would you say the characters know themselves? How do they come to know themselves better? What causes them to misunderstand others, and what helps them to correct these misunderstandings and come to a better knowledge of one another?
  15. What is remarkable about the sailing stones that Greg and Clara see in Death Valley? What does Greg think they look like they are doing? To what or to whom does he compare them?
  16. Why was Greg determined to take the piano to Death Valley? What did he plan to do with the piano there? Why does he later change his mind and what does he decide to do with it instead?
  17. How are Clara and Greg connected, and how does each respond to this connection? How did Clara come to own the Blüthner piano? What effect does the revelation of the piano's provenance have on Clara, and how does it influence or alter her understanding of her own past?
  18. Why do you think the author chose to include a passage told from the point of view of the piano itself? What effect did this anthropomorphism have on you as a reader? What "weight" (308) does the piano carry?
  19. What choices does Clara make at the conclusion of the story? Were you surprised by her decisions? Why or why not? What becomes of the piano? What does Clara mean when she says that she doesn't "want to be Sisyphus anymore" (311)?

Unless otherwise stated, this discussion guide is reprinted with the permission of Knopf. Any page references refer to a USA edition of the book, usually the trade paperback version, and may vary in other editions.

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Debugging Information
ColdFusion Server Developer 2021,0,13,330286
Template /bb_briefs/reading_guides/index.cfm
Time Stamp 01-Jun-26 06:22 AM
Locale en
User Agent Mozilla/5.0 AppleWebKit/537.36 (KHTML, like Gecko; compatible; ClaudeBot/1.0; +claudebot@anthropic.com)
Remote IP 127.0.0.1
Host Name 127.0.0.1


Execution Time

Total Time Avg Time Count Template
1780294935875 ms 1.78029493588E+012 ms 1 /root/website/app_server.cfm
1093 ms 1093 ms 1 /root/website/bb_briefs/reading_guides/index.cfm
351 ms 351 ms 1 /root/website/bb_briefs/reading_guides/dsp_main.cfm
169 ms 169 ms 1 /root/website/app_layout.cfm
160 ms 160 ms 1 /root/website/queries/qry_get_discussion_by_id.cfm
142 ms 142 ms 1 /root/website/app_globals.cfm
138 ms 138 ms 1 /root/website/queries/qry_get_briefs_reader_rating.cfm
126 ms 126 ms 1 /root/website/site/blocks/layout/dsp_right_column.cfm
109 ms 36 ms 3 /root/website/adsystem/adsystem_mod.cfm
58 ms 58 ms 1 /root/website/site/blocks/dsp_border_first_impressions.cfm
57 ms 57 ms 1 /root/website/queries/qry_get_arcs_for_ad.cfm
44 ms 44 ms 1 /root/website/adzones/AdZone6.cfm
38 ms 38 ms 1 /root/website/queries/qry_get_preview_awards_by_id.cfm
38 ms 38 ms 1 /root/website/site/blocks/layout/dsp_footer.cfm
36 ms 36 ms 1 /root/website/adzones/showcase_track.cfm
35 ms 35 ms 1 /root/website/queries/qry_get_active_obc.cfm
29 ms 29 ms 1 /root/website/adzones/AdZone11.cfm
28 ms 28 ms 1 /root/website/queries/qry_get_current_competition.cfm
28 ms 28 ms 1 /root/website/queries/qry_get_preview_by_id.cfm
22 ms 22 ms 1 /root/website/queries/qry_get_reader_reviews_by_preview_number.cfm
20 ms 20 ms 1 /root/website/act_check_login.cfm
20 ms 20 ms 1 /root/website/queries/qry_get_member_info.cfm
17 ms 17 ms 1 /root/website/actions/adstatus.cfm
17 ms 17 ms 1 /root/website/queries/qry_get_books_by_briefs_category.cfm
16 ms 16 ms 1 /root/website/site/blocks/dsp_book_giveaway.cfm
13 ms 3 ms 4 /root/website/actions/act_spider_tracker.cfm
12 ms 12 ms 1 /root/website/queries/qry_get_obc_number.cfm
10 ms 10 ms 1 /root/website/queries/qry_get_current_wordplay.cfm
9 ms 9 ms 1 /root/website/queries/qry_get_author_bookcount.cfm
8 ms 8 ms 1 /root/website/site/blocks/membership_advantages.cfm
7 ms 7 ms 1 /root/website/queries/qry_get_member_account_types.cfm
2 ms 2 ms 1 /root/website/site/blocks/layout/dsp_header.cfm
1 ms 1 ms 1 /root/website/site/blocks/dsp_top_brief_block.cfm
1 ms 1 ms 1 /root/website/site/blocks/layout/dsp_bottom_block.cfm
1 ms 1 ms 1 /root/website/site/blocks/layout/head.cfm
0 ms 0 ms 1 /root/website/Application.cfm
0 ms 0 ms 1 /root/website/act_libraryIPLogin.cfm
0 ms 0 ms 1 /root/website/actions/udfs.cfm
0 ms 0 ms 1 /root/website/banners/ad_594.cfm
0 ms 0 ms 1 /root/website/formurl2attributes.cfm
0 ms 0 ms 1 /root/website/js/fbjavascriptsdk.cfm
0 ms 0 ms 1 /root/website/queries/qry_get_current_ezine.cfm
0 ms 0 ms 1 /root/website/queries/qry_get_free_newsletters.cfm
0 ms 0 ms 1 /root/website/queries/qry_get_previous_arcs_for_ad.cfm
0 ms 0 ms 1 /root/website/site/blocks/act_book_view_tracking.cfm
0 ms 0 ms 1 /root/website/site/blocks/dsp_border_booktalk.cfm
0 ms 0 ms 1 /root/website/site/blocks/dsp_header_newsletter.cfm
0 ms 0 ms 1 /root/website/site/blocks/dsp_wordplay.cfm
0 ms 0 ms 1 /root/website/site/blocks/email_modal.cfm
0 ms 0 ms 1 /root/website/site/blocks/layout/google_tags.cfm
0 ms 0 ms 1 /root/website/site/blocks/layout/header_announcement.cfm
0 ms 0 ms 1 /root/website/site/blocks/layout/main_menu.cfm
0 ms 0 ms 1 /root/website/site/blocks/layout/main_search.cfm
2 ms  STARTUP, PARSING, COMPILING, LOADING, & SHUTDOWN
1095 ms  TOTAL EXECUTION TIME
red = over 250 ms average execution time


SQL Queries

spidercheck (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=12ms, Records=1) in /root/website/actions/act_spider_tracker.cfm @ 06:22:15.015
SELECT	a.bot_number
        FROM	bots a
        WHERE	charindex(a.bot_name, ?) > 0
		OR a.bot_ip = ?
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(cf_sql_varchar) = Mozilla/5.0 AppleWebKit/537.36 (KHTML, like Gecko; compatible; ClaudeBot/1.0; +claudebot@anthropic.com)
Parameter #2(cf_sql_varchar) = 127.0.0.1

get_member_info (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=7ms, Records=0) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_member_info.cfm @ 06:22:15.015
select 	a.*, 
    		b.member_account_type_name, b.member_account_type_charge, b.member_account_type_charge_frequency,  b.member_account_type_months, 
            c.member_chargetype_name, c.member_chargetype_number, a.member_classification_number, a.member_book_format
	
    from members a, member_account_types b, member_chargetype c
	
    where a.member_account_type_number = b.member_account_type_number
	and a.payment_method_id = c.member_chargetype_number
	and a.member_number = ?
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(CF_SQL_INTEGER) = 0

adactive (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=16ms, Records=2) in /root/website/actions/adstatus.cfm @ 06:22:15.015
SELECT	viewby, section
    FROM	adsystem 
    WHERE	active  = 1 
    AND		start_date <= GETDATE()
    AND 	(viewby = ? OR viewby = 'all')
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(CF_SQL_VARCHAR) = non

get_current_ezine (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=0ms, Records=1, Cached Query) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_current_ezine.cfm @ 06:22:15.015
select		top 1 ezine_number, ezine_dt, ezine_image, ezine_brief_description, ezine_introduction
from		ezines
where		ezine_active_flag = 1
and 		ezine_type_number = 4
and			ezine_dt < getdate()
order by 	ezine_dt DESC
get_current_wordplay (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=9ms, Records=1) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_current_wordplay.cfm @ 06:22:15.015
SELECT		a.wordplay_number, a.wordplay_dt, a.wordplay_name, a.wordplay_intro_text, b.wordplay_puzzle_number, b.wordplay_puzzle_question
    FROM		wordplays a 
	INNER JOIN	wordplay_puzzle_mapping c on c.wordplay_number = a.wordplay_number
	INNER JOIN	wordplay_puzzles b on b.wordplay_puzzle_number = c.wordplay_puzzle_number
	WHERE		a.wordplay_number = (	select top 1 a.wordplay_number
                                from wordplays a, wordplay_puzzles b, wordplay_puzzle_mapping c
                                where a.wordplay_number = c.wordplay_number
                                and b.wordplay_puzzle_number = c.wordplay_puzzle_number
                                and a.wordplay_dt < getdate()
                                and a.wordplay_expiration_dt > dateadd(day, -1, getdate())
                                order by a.wordplay_dt asc
                                )
get_ComNo (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=14ms, Records=0) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_current_competition.cfm @ 06:22:15.015
SELECT 	TOP 1 	x.competition_number, x.bb_briefs_flag
	from			competitions x
	
		WHERE	x.competition_dt <= getdate()
		AND		x.competition_expiration_dt > dateadd(d,-1,getdate())
get_current_competition (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=12ms, Records=0) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_current_competition.cfm @ 06:22:15.015
SELECT 	x.competition_number, x.book_number, x.competition_teaser_title, x.competition_teaser_description, x.competition_intro_text, x.competition_expiration_dt, x.bb_briefs_flag, x.competition_full_info_flag, x.competition_type, x.competition_optin,x.competition_optin_text, 
				a.book_title as "title",
				(b.author_first_name + ' ' +  b.author_middle_initial + ' ' + b.author_last_name) as "author",
	            f.edition_publish_dt AS "hardcover_publish_dt", f.edition_jacket_image as "hardcover_jacket_image",
				g.edition_publish_dt AS "paperback_publish_dt", g.edition_jacket_image as "paperback_jacket_image"
	
		FROM 		competitions x
		INNER JOIN	books a on a.book_number = x.book_number
		INNER JOIN	book_author_mapping c on c.book_number = x.book_number
		INNER JOIN	authors b on c.author_number = b.author_number
		LEFT JOIN	editions f on a.book_number = f.book_number and f.edition_paperback_flag = 0
		LEFT JOIN	editions g on a.book_number = g.book_number and g.edition_paperback_flag = 1

		WHERE		x.competition_number = ?
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(CF_SQL_INTEGER) = 0

get_previous_arcs_for_ad (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=0ms, Records=0, Cached Query) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_previous_arcs_for_ad.cfm @ 06:22:15.015
SELECT 	a.arc_number,a.arc_client_url,a.arc_active_dt, a.arc_off_ad_dt,
		b.ezine_preview_number, b.ezine_preview_title, b.ezine_preview_subtitle, b.ezine_preview_jacket_image, b.ezine_preview_author, b.ezine_preview_publisher, 
		b.ezine_preview_publish_dt, b.ezine_preview_jacket_desc, b.ezine_preview_number_of_pages, b.ezine_preview_bb_comments, b.ezine_preview_isbn13,
		c.ezine_preview_category_name AS "ezine_preview_category",
		(select count(*) from arc_allocator d where d.arc_number = a.arc_number and arc_allocator_review_approved_flag = 1) as "reviews",
		(select (CAST(AVG(CAST(arc_allocator_review_rating AS numeric(12,0))) AS numeric(12,0)))+
				(CASE WHEN right(CAST(AVG(CAST(arc_allocator_review_rating AS numeric(12,2))) AS numeric(12,2)),2) > 25 AND right(CAST(AVG(CAST(arc_allocator_review_rating AS numeric(12,2))) AS numeric(12,2)),2) < 50 THEN 0.5
				 WHEN right(CAST(AVG(CAST(arc_allocator_review_rating AS numeric(12,2))) AS numeric(12,2)),2) > 50 AND right(CAST(AVG(CAST(arc_allocator_review_rating AS numeric(12,2))) AS numeric(12,2)),2) < 75 THEN -0.5
				 ELSE 0
				 END)
 			from arc_allocator	where arc_number = a.arc_number and arc_allocator_review_approved_flag = 1) AS arcrating,
 			(select (CAST(AVG(CAST(arc_allocator_review_rating AS numeric(12,1))) AS numeric(12,1)))from arc_allocator where arc_number = a.arc_number and arc_allocator_review_approved_flag = 1) AS "decrating"

FROM arcs a
INNER JOIN ezine_previews b ON b.ezine_preview_number = a.ezine_preview_number
INNER JOIN ezine_preview_categories c ON b.ezine_preview_category_number = c.ezine_preview_category_number

WHERE arc_closed_flag = 1
AND arc_obc_flag = 0
AND getdate() >= arc_on_ad_dt
AND getdate() < arc_off_ad_dt

ORDER BY a.arc_on_ad_dt DESC
get_future_obc (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=14ms, Records=0) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_active_obc.cfm @ 06:22:15.015
SELECT 		a.arc_forumidfk, a.discourse_flag, a.arc_promo_text, arc_on_ad_dt,
				b.ezine_preview_number, b.ezine_preview_title, b.ezine_preview_subtitle, b.ezine_preview_jacket_image, b.ezine_preview_author, b.ezine_preview_jacket_desc, b.ezine_preview_publisher, ezine_preview_publish_dt, ezine_preview_number_of_pages, ezine_preview_isbn, ezine_preview_short_summary,
	            b.ezine_preview_bb_author_link, ezine_preview_bb_link
	
	FROM 		arcs a
	INNER JOIN 	ezine_previews b ON b.ezine_preview_number = a.ezine_preview_number
	
	WHERE 		arc_obc_flag = 1

	AND 		getdate() < arc_on_ad_dt
	
		ORDER BY  	NEWID()
get_active_obc (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=7ms, Records=1) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_active_obc.cfm @ 06:22:16.016
SELECT 		a.arc_forumidfk, a.discourse_flag, a.arc_promo_text,
				b.ezine_preview_number, b.ezine_preview_title, b.ezine_preview_subtitle, b.ezine_preview_jacket_image, b.ezine_preview_author, b.ezine_preview_jacket_desc, b.ezine_preview_publisher, ezine_preview_publish_dt, ezine_preview_number_of_pages,  ezine_preview_isbn, ezine_preview_short_summary,
	            b.ezine_preview_bb_author_link, ezine_preview_bb_link,
	            c.book_reading_guide
	
	FROM 		arcs a
	INNER JOIN 	ezine_previews b ON b.ezine_preview_number = a.ezine_preview_number
	LEFT JOIN  	books c on c.book_number = b.ezine_preview_bb_link
	
	WHERE 		a.arc_obc_flag = 1
	AND			a.arc_active_flag = 0
	AND 		arc_closed_flag = 1
	AND 		getdate() >= arc_on_ad_dt
	AND 		getdate() < arc_off_ad_dt
	ORDER BY  	NEWID()
get_recent_obc (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=11ms, Records=4) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_active_obc.cfm @ 06:22:16.016
SELECT 		a.arc_forumidfk, a.discourse_flag, a.arc_promo_text,
				b.ezine_preview_number, b.ezine_preview_title, b.ezine_preview_subtitle, b.ezine_preview_jacket_image, b.ezine_preview_author, b.ezine_preview_jacket_desc, b.ezine_preview_publisher, ezine_preview_publish_dt, ezine_preview_number_of_pages,  ezine_preview_isbn, ezine_preview_short_summary,
	            b.ezine_preview_bb_author_link, ezine_preview_bb_link,
	            c.book_reading_guide
	
	FROM 		arcs a
	INNER JOIN 	ezine_previews b ON b.ezine_preview_number = a.ezine_preview_number
	LEFT JOIN  	books c on c.book_number = b.ezine_preview_bb_link
	
	WHERE a.arc_number IN (select top 4 arc_number
							from		arcs
							WHERE 		arc_obc_flag = 1
							AND			arc_active_flag = 0
							AND 		arc_closed_flag = 1
							AND 		getdate() > arc_off_ad_dt
							ORDER BY	arc_on_ad_dt DESC)
	ORDER BY  	NEWID()
get_preview_by_id (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=28ms, Records=1) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_preview_by_id.cfm @ 06:22:16.016
select 			a.ezine_preview_number,
				a.ezine_number, 
				a.ezine_preview_category_number, 
				a.ezine_preview_title, 
				a.ezine_preview_subtitle, 
				a.ezine_preview_author, 
				a.ezine_preview_publisher,
				a.ezine_preview_publish_dt,
				a.ezine_preview_number_of_pages, 
				a.ezine_preview_jacket_image,
				a.ezine_preview_reviews,
				a.ezine_preview_short_summary,
				a.ezine_preview_jacket_desc,
				a.ezine_preview_reading_guide,
				a.ezine_preview_bb_comments, 
				a.ezine_preview_isbn,
				a.ezine_preview_isbn13,
				a.ezine_preview_rating,
				a.ezine_preview_bb_link,
                a.ezine_preview_bb_author_link,
                a.ezine_preview_firsts_flag,
                a.ezine_preview_reading_level,
                a.ezine_preview_paperback_flag,
				b.*,
                c.ezine_dt, c.ezine_description
,(select publisher_holding_company from publishers where ezine_preview_publisher like publisher_imprint AND publisher_holding_company LIKE 'Harper%') AS "publisher_holding_company"		
 				
from ezine_previews a 
inner join ezine_preview_categories b ON b.ezine_preview_category_number = a.ezine_preview_category_number
left join ezines c ON c.ezine_number = a.ezine_number

where ezine_preview_number = ?
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(CF_SQL_INTEGER) = 13694

get_preview_awards_by_id (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=37ms, Records=0) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_preview_awards_by_id.cfm @ 06:22:16.016
select a.book_award_number, a.book_award_name, a.book_award_image, c.book_award_dt
    from book_awards a 
    inner join book_awards_category b on b.book_award_number = a.book_award_number
    inner join book_awards_mapping c on c.book_awards_category_number = b.book_awards_category_number
    where ezine_preview_number =  ?
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(CF_SQL_INTEGER) = 13694

get_briefs_reader_rating (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=136ms, Records=1) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_briefs_reader_rating.cfm @ 06:22:16.016
SELECT	(CAST(AVG(CAST(rating AS numeric(12,0))) AS numeric(12,0)))+
				(CASE WHEN right(CAST(AVG(CAST(rating AS numeric(12,2))) AS numeric(12,2)),2) > 25 AND right(CAST(AVG(CAST(rating AS numeric(12,2))) AS numeric(12,2)),2) < 50 THEN 0.5
				 WHEN right(CAST(AVG(CAST(rating AS numeric(12,2))) AS numeric(12,2)),2) >= 50 AND right(CAST(AVG(CAST(rating AS numeric(12,2))) AS numeric(12,2)),2) < 75 THEN -0.5
			ELSE 0
			END) AS "avrating",
            count(rating) as "ratcount"
            
	FROM (
		SELECT reader_review_rating AS rating
		FROM reader_reviews
		WHERE ezine_preview_number = ?
		
		AND reader_review_rating > 0
		
		UNION ALL
		
		SELECT reading_list_book_rating AS rating
		FROM reading_lists
		WHERE book_number LIKE 'p%'
		AND TRY_CAST(SUBSTRING(book_number, 2, LEN(book_number)) AS INT) = ?
		AND reading_list_book_rating > 0
		AND TRY_CAST(SUBSTRING(book_number, 2, LEN(book_number)) AS INT) IS NOT NULL
	) combined_ratings
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(CF_SQL_INTEGER) = 13694
Parameter #2(CF_SQL_INTEGER) = 13694

get_reader_reviews_by_preview_number (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=22ms, Records=2) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_reader_reviews_by_preview_number.cfm @ 06:22:16.016
SELECT 		a.reader_review_number, a.book_number, a.ezine_preview_number, a.reader_review_approved_flag, a.reader_review_dt,
				COALESCE(NULLIF(LTRIM(RTRIM(m.discourse_username)), ''), NULLIF(LTRIM(RTRIM(a.reader_review_reviewer_name)), '')) AS reader_review_reviewer_name,
				a.reader_review_reviewer_email_address, a.reader_review_reviewer_from_locale, a.reader_review_recommended, a.reader_review_rating, a.reader_review_title, a.reader_review_description, ISNULL(a.like_count, 0) AS like_count,
    			b.ezine_preview_title,
    			ISNULL(e.edit_count, 0) AS edit_count,
    			e.last_edit_dt,
    			a.member_number AS review_member_number
    FROM 		reader_reviews a
    INNER JOIN	ezine_previews b ON a.ezine_preview_number = b.ezine_preview_number
    LEFT OUTER JOIN (
    	SELECT reader_review_number, COUNT(*) AS edit_count, MAX(edited_dt) AS last_edit_dt
    	FROM   reader_review_edits
    	GROUP BY reader_review_number
    ) e ON e.reader_review_number = a.reader_review_number
    LEFT OUTER JOIN members m ON m.member_number = a.member_number
	WHERE 		a.ezine_preview_number = ?
    AND			a.book_number = 0
    AND 		a.reader_review_approved_flag = 1
    

	ORDER BY a.reader_review_rating DESC, a.reader_review_dt DESC
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(CF_SQL_INTEGER) = 13694

get_arc_idfk (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=8ms, Records=0) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_discussion_by_id.cfm @ 06:22:16.016
SELECT 		a.arc_forumidfk,a.discourse_flag
    FROM 		arcs a
    INNER JOIN 	ezine_previews e on e.ezine_preview_number = a.ezine_preview_number
    
	
        WHERE 		e.ezine_preview_number = ? 
    AND DATALENGTH(a.arc_forumidfk) > 0 AND arc_obc_flag=1
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(cf_sql_integer) = 13694

get_arc_idfk_legacy (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=10ms, Records=0) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_discussion_by_id.cfm @ 06:22:16.016
SELECT 		a.arc_forumidfk,a.discourse_flag
    FROM 		arcs a
    INNER JOIN 	ezine_previews e on e.ezine_preview_number = a.ezine_preview_number
    
	
        WHERE 		e.ezine_preview_number = ? 
    AND DATALENGTH(a.arc_forumidfk) > 0 AND arc_obc_flag=1 AND a.discourse_flag = 0
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(cf_sql_integer) = 13694

obc_discussions (Datasource=booktalk_new, Time=90ms, Records=0) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_discussion_by_id.cfm @ 06:22:16.016
SELECT 		t.name,
                m.title, m.body,
                u.username, t.id,
				(SELECT COUNT(*) from booktalk_messages where threadidfk = t.id) AS	"responses"
                
    FROM 		booktalk_forums f
    INNER JOIN	booktalk_threads t on t.forumidfk = f.id
    INNER JOIN	booktalk_messages m on m.posted = t.lastpostcreated
    INNER JOIN	booktalk_users u on u.id = m.useridfk
    
    WHERE 	f.id = ?
    AND 	f.active = 1
	AND		t.active = 1
    
    ORDER BY t.name, t.messages DESC
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(cf_sql_varchar) =

searchResults (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=51ms, Records=0) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_discussion_by_id.cfm @ 06:22:16.016
SELECT book_number, post_id, topic_id, blurb, username, topic_title
					FROM DiscourseSearchResults
					
        WHERE 		book_number = ? 
                    AND topic_id IS NOT NULL
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(cf_sql_varchar) = p13694

ya_check (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=6ms, Records=0) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_books_by_briefs_category.cfm @ 06:22:16.016
select ezine_preview_reading_level 
from ezine_previews 
where ezine_preview_number = ?
and ezine_preview_reading_level = 2
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(CF_SQL_INTEGER) = 13694

get_books_by_brief (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=11ms, Records=20) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_books_by_briefs_category.cfm @ 06:22:16.016
select 			top 20
				a.ezine_preview_reading_level,
				b.category_name,
				c.category_number, 
				d.book_number, d.book_title,
				f.author_number, f.author_first_name, author_middle_initial, author_last_name
				
from 			ezine_previews a 
inner join		categories b on b.ezine_preview_category_number = a.ezine_preview_category_number
inner join		category_book_mapping c on c.category_number = b.category_number
inner join		books d on d.book_number = c.book_number
inner join		book_author_mapping e on e.book_number = d.book_number
inner join		authors f on f.author_number = e.author_number

where			a.ezine_preview_number = ? 

order by 		d.book_number DESC
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(CF_SQL_INTEGER) = 13694

get_author_bookcount (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=9ms, Records=0) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_author_bookcount.cfm @ 06:22:16.016
select		b.book_title as "title", 1 as "bb_flag", b.book_number as "number"
        from		book_author_mapping a
		inner join	books b on b.book_number = a.book_number
        where		a.author_number = ?
union
    	select		c.ezine_preview_title as "title", 0 as "bb_flag", c.ezine_preview_number as "number"
        from		ezine_previews c
        where		c.ezine_preview_bb_author_link = ?
        and			c.ezine_preview_bb_link = 0
		and 1=0
order by title DESC
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(CF_SQL_INTEGER) = 0
Parameter #2(CF_SQL_INTEGER) = 0

get_obc_number (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=11ms, Records=0) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_obc_number.cfm @ 06:22:16.016
select a.arc_forumidfk
    from arcs a
    
    	where a.ezine_preview_number = ?
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(cf_sql_numeric) = 13694.0

existingResults (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=64ms, Records=1) in /root/website/actions/udfs.cfm @ 06:22:16.016
SELECT id, last_updated
        FROM DiscourseSearchResults
        WHERE book_number = ?
        ORDER BY last_updated DESC
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(cf_sql_varchar) = p13694

(Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=138ms, Records=1) in /root/website/actions/udfs.cfm @ 06:22:16.016
DELETE FROM DiscourseSearchResults
                WHERE book_number = ?
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(cf_sql_varchar) = p13694

(Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=21ms, Records=1) in /root/website/actions/udfs.cfm @ 06:22:16.016
INSERT INTO DiscourseSearchResults (book_number, post_id, topic_id, blurb, last_updated)
                    VALUES (
                        ?,
                        NULL,
                        NULL,
                        ?,
                        GETDATE()
                    )
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(cf_sql_varchar) = p13694
Parameter #2(cf_sql_nvarchar) = No results found

get_member_account_types (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=7ms, Records=2) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_member_account_types.cfm @ 06:22:16.016
select member_account_type_number, member_account_type_name, member_account_type_charge, member_account_type_charge_frequency, member_account_type_postscript, member_account_type_months, member_account_type_stripe_lookup_key
from member_account_types
where member_account_type_number = (select top 1 member_account_type_number
									from member_account_types
									where member_account_type_months = 12
									and member_account_type_public = 1
									order by member_account_type_charge ASC)
									
or member_account_type_number =		(select top 1 member_account_type_number
									from member_account_types
									where member_account_type_months = 3
									and member_account_type_public = 1
									order by member_account_type_charge ASC)
									
order by member_account_type_sort_order ASC
get_ads (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=14ms, Records=0) in /root/website/adsystem/adsystem_mod.cfm @ 06:22:16.016
SELECT		a.adid,	adweight
	FROM		adsystem a
	INNER JOIN 	ad_category_mapping b ON b.adid = a.adid
	WHERE		a.section = ?
	AND			a.active  = 1
	AND 		a.start_date <= GETDATE()
	
	AND (a.viewby LIKE '%n%' OR a.viewby = 'all')
            

	AND     (b.category_number IN (	SELECT	category_number
									FROM	category_book_mapping
									WHERE	book_number = ?)
      		OR 	b.category_number = ?)
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(CF_SQL_VARCHAR) = adzone11
Parameter #2(CF_SQL_VARCHAR) = 0
Parameter #3(CF_SQL_VARCHAR) = 0

get_ads (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=13ms, Records=0) in /root/website/adsystem/adsystem_mod.cfm @ 06:22:16.016
SELECT	a.adid,	adweight
        FROM	adsystem a
        WHERE	a.section = ? 
        AND 	a.active  = 1 
        AND		a.start_date <= GETDATE()	
        
        AND (a.viewby LIKE '%n%' OR a.viewby = 'all')
        AND (select count(*) from ad_category_mapping where datalength(category_number) >= 1 and adid = a.adid) = 0
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(CF_SQL_VARCHAR) = adzone11

get_arcs_for_ad (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=21ms, Records=0) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_arcs_for_ad.cfm @ 06:22:16.016
SELECT 	top 10 a.arc_number,arc_promo_text,
		b.ezine_preview_number, b.ezine_preview_title, b.ezine_preview_subtitle, b.ezine_preview_jacket_image, b.ezine_preview_author, b.ezine_preview_publish_dt, 
		(select (CAST(AVG(CAST(arc_allocator_review_rating AS numeric(12,0))) AS numeric(12,0)))+
				(CASE WHEN right(CAST(AVG(CAST(arc_allocator_review_rating AS numeric(12,2))) AS numeric(12,2)),2) > 25 AND right(CAST(AVG(CAST(arc_allocator_review_rating AS numeric(12,2))) AS numeric(12,2)),2) < 50 THEN 0.5
				 WHEN right(CAST(AVG(CAST(arc_allocator_review_rating AS numeric(12,2))) AS numeric(12,2)),2) > 50 AND right(CAST(AVG(CAST(arc_allocator_review_rating AS numeric(12,2))) AS numeric(12,2)),2) < 75 THEN -0.5
				 ELSE 0
				 END)
 			from arc_allocator	where arc_number = a.arc_number and arc_allocator_review_approved_flag = 1) AS arcrating

FROM arcs a
INNER JOIN ezine_previews b ON b.ezine_preview_number = a.ezine_preview_number

WHERE arc_closed_flag = 1
AND arc_obc_flag = 0
AND getdate() >= arc_on_ad_dt
AND (select count(*) from arc_allocator d where d.arc_number = a.arc_number and arc_allocator_review_approved_flag = 1) > 1
and getdate() <= dateadd(day,1,a.arc_off_ad_dt)

ORDER BY NEWID()
get_arcs_for_ad (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=34ms, Records=3) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_arcs_for_ad.cfm @ 06:22:16.016
SELECT 	top 3 a.arc_number,arc_promo_text,
			b.ezine_preview_number, b.ezine_preview_title, b.ezine_preview_subtitle, b.ezine_preview_jacket_image, b.ezine_preview_author, b.ezine_preview_publish_dt, 
			(select (CAST(AVG(CAST(arc_allocator_review_rating AS numeric(12,0))) AS numeric(12,0)))+
					(CASE WHEN right(CAST(AVG(CAST(arc_allocator_review_rating AS numeric(12,2))) AS numeric(12,2)),2) > 25 AND right(CAST(AVG(CAST(arc_allocator_review_rating AS numeric(12,2))) AS numeric(12,2)),2) < 50 THEN 0.5
					 WHEN right(CAST(AVG(CAST(arc_allocator_review_rating AS numeric(12,2))) AS numeric(12,2)),2) > 50 AND right(CAST(AVG(CAST(arc_allocator_review_rating AS numeric(12,2))) AS numeric(12,2)),2) < 75 THEN -0.5
					 ELSE 0
					 END)
				from arc_allocator	where arc_number = a.arc_number and arc_allocator_review_approved_flag = 1) AS arcrating

	FROM arcs a
	INNER JOIN ezine_previews b ON b.ezine_preview_number = a.ezine_preview_number

	WHERE arc_closed_flag = 1
	AND arc_obc_flag = 0
	AND getdate() >= arc_on_ad_dt
	AND (select count(*) from arc_allocator d where d.arc_number = a.arc_number and arc_allocator_review_approved_flag = 1) > 1

	ORDER BY a.arc_off_ad_dt DESC
get_ads (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=19ms, Records=0) in /root/website/adsystem/adsystem_mod.cfm @ 06:22:16.016
SELECT		a.adid,	adweight
	FROM		adsystem a
	INNER JOIN 	ad_category_mapping b ON b.adid = a.adid
	WHERE		a.section = ?
	AND			a.active  = 1
	AND 		a.start_date <= GETDATE()
	
	AND (a.viewby LIKE '%n%' OR a.viewby = 'all')
            

	AND     (b.category_number IN (	SELECT	category_number
									FROM	category_book_mapping
									WHERE	book_number = ?)
      		OR 	b.category_number = ?)
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(CF_SQL_VARCHAR) = adzone6
Parameter #2(CF_SQL_VARCHAR) = 0
Parameter #3(CF_SQL_VARCHAR) = 0

get_ads (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=11ms, Records=1) in /root/website/adsystem/adsystem_mod.cfm @ 06:22:16.016
SELECT	a.adid,	adweight
        FROM	adsystem a
        WHERE	a.section = ? 
        AND 	a.active  = 1 
        AND		a.start_date <= GETDATE()	
        
        AND (a.viewby LIKE '%n%' OR a.viewby = 'all')
        AND (select count(*) from ad_category_mapping where datalength(category_number) >= 1 and adid = a.adid) = 0
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(CF_SQL_VARCHAR) = adzone6

get_type (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=10ms, Records=1) in /root/website/adsystem/adsystem_mod.cfm @ 06:22:16.016
SELECT	a.start_date, a.adid, a.end_date, a.camp_views, a.image_name, a.alt_text, a.views, a.code, a.adsize
        FROM	adsystem a
        WHERE	a.adid = ?
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(CF_SQL_INTEGER) = 1112

get_quotes (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=16ms, Records=1) in /root/website/site/blocks/dsp_book_giveaway.cfm @ 06:22:16.016
select top 1 ezine_number, ezine_quote, ezine_quote_title
	    from ezines
	    where len(ezine_quote_title) > 1
	    order by newid()
get_free_newsletters (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=0ms, Records=4, Cached Query) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_free_newsletters.cfm @ 06:22:16.016
SELECT 	*
    FROM 	free_newsletters
get_ads (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=11ms, Records=0) in /root/website/adsystem/adsystem_mod.cfm @ 06:22:16.016
SELECT		a.adid,	adweight
	FROM		adsystem a
	INNER JOIN 	ad_category_mapping b ON b.adid = a.adid
	WHERE		a.section = ?
	AND			a.active  = 1
	AND 		a.start_date <= GETDATE()
		 	AND a.adid NOT IN (?) 
	AND (a.viewby LIKE '%n%' OR a.viewby = 'all')
            

	AND     (b.category_number IN (	SELECT	category_number
									FROM	category_book_mapping
									WHERE	book_number = ?)
      		OR 	b.category_number = ?)
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(CF_SQL_VARCHAR) = showcase_track
Parameter #2(CF_SQL_INTEGER) = 1112
Parameter #3(CF_SQL_VARCHAR) = 0
Parameter #4(CF_SQL_VARCHAR) = 0

get_ads (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=9ms, Records=1) in /root/website/adsystem/adsystem_mod.cfm @ 06:22:16.016
SELECT	a.adid,	adweight
        FROM	adsystem a
        WHERE	a.section = ? 
        AND 	a.active  = 1 
        AND		a.start_date <= GETDATE()	
        		AND a.adid NOT IN (?) 
        AND (a.viewby LIKE '%n%' OR a.viewby = 'all')
        AND (select count(*) from ad_category_mapping where datalength(category_number) >= 1 and adid = a.adid) = 0
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(CF_SQL_VARCHAR) = showcase_track
Parameter #2(CF_SQL_INTEGER) = 1112

get_type (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=12ms, Records=1) in /root/website/adsystem/adsystem_mod.cfm @ 06:22:16.016
SELECT	a.start_date, a.adid, a.end_date, a.camp_views, a.image_name, a.alt_text, a.views, a.code, a.adsize
        FROM	adsystem a
        WHERE	a.adid = ?
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(CF_SQL_INTEGER) = 594


Scope Variables

CGI Variables:
AUTH_PASSWORD=
AUTH_TYPE=
AUTH_USER=
CERT_COOKIE=
CERT_FLAGS=
CERT_ISSUER=
CERT_KEYSIZE=
CERT_SECRETKEYSIZE=
CERT_SERIALNUMBER=
CERT_SERVER_ISSUER=
CERT_SERVER_SUBJECT=
CERT_SUBJECT=
CF_TEMPLATE_PATH=/root/website/bb_briefs/reading_guides/index.cfm
CONTENT_LENGTH=
CONTENT_TYPE=
CONTEXT_PATH=
GATEWAY_INTERFACE=
HTTPS=
HTTPS_KEYSIZE=
HTTPS_SECRETKEYSIZE=
HTTPS_SERVER_ISSUER=
HTTPS_SERVER_SUBJECT=
HTTP_ACCEPT=*/*
HTTP_ACCEPT_ENCODING=gzip, br, zstd, deflate
HTTP_ACCEPT_LANGUAGE=
HTTP_CONNECTION=upgrade
HTTP_COOKIE=FREEACCESSCOUNT=0; CFID=4090234; CFCLIENT_BOOKBROWSE=order%3Dp%23member%5Fnumber%3D0%23member%5Factive%5Fflag%3D0%23member%5Flogged%5Fin%5Fflag%3D0%23library%5Fuser%5Fflag%3D0%23view%3Dbooks%23; CFTOKEN=7006943854c1fec-1277199B-EB6C-3E72-E6468A3AF7E9C173; CFGLOBALS=urltoken%3DCFID%23%3D4090234%26CFTOKEN%23%3D7006943854c1fec%2D1277199B%2DEB6C%2D3E72%2DE6468A3AF7E9C173%23lastvisit%3D%7Bts%20%272026%2D06%2D01%2006%3A22%3A15%27%7D%23hitcount%3D59%23timecreated%3D%7Bts%20%272026%2D06%2D01%2006%3A22%3A03%27%7D%23cftoken%3D6f330516b49270c7%2D127714D4%2DE60D%2D5092%2D22CD5EAAA41E4FDF%23cfid%3D4090233%23
HTTP_HOST=dev.bookbrowse.com
HTTP_REFERER=
HTTP_URL=
HTTP_USER_AGENT=Mozilla/5.0 AppleWebKit/537.36 (KHTML, like Gecko; compatible; ClaudeBot/1.0; +claudebot@anthropic.com)
LOCAL_ADDR=127.0.0.1
PATH_INFO=/ezine_preview_number/13694/the-weight-of-a-piano
PATH_TRANSLATED=/root/website/bb_briefs/reading_guides/index.cfm
QUERY_STRING=
REMOTE_ADDR=127.0.0.1
REMOTE_HOST=127.0.0.1
REMOTE_USER=
REQUEST_METHOD=GET
SCRIPT_NAME=/bb_briefs/reading_guides/index.cfm
SERVER_NAME=dev.bookbrowse.com
SERVER_PORT=8500
SERVER_PORT_SECURE=0
SERVER_PROTOCOL=HTTP/1.1
SERVER_SOFTWARE=
WEB_SERVER_API=
Client Variables:
cfid=4090233
cftoken=6f330516b49270c7-127714D4-E60D-5092-22CD5EAAA41E4FDF
hitcount=68
lastvisit={ts '2026-06-01 06:22:16'}
library_user_flag=0
member_active_flag=0
member_logged_in_flag=0
member_number=0
order=p
timecreated={ts '2026-06-01 06:22:03'}
urltoken=CFID=4090234&CFTOKEN=7006943854c1fec-1277199B-EB6C-3E72-E6468A3AF7E9C173
view=books
Cookie Variables:
CFCLIENT_BOOKBROWSE=order=p#member_number=0#member_active_flag=0#member_logged_in_flag=0#library_user_flag=0#view=books#
CFGLOBALS=urltoken=CFID#=4090234&CFTOKEN#=7006943854c1fec-1277199B-EB6C-3E72-E6468A3AF7E9C173#lastvisit={ts '2026-06-01 06:22:15'}#hitcount=59#timecreated={ts '2026-06-01 06:22:03'}#cftoken=6f330516b49270c7-127714D4-E60D-5092-22CD5EAAA41E4FDF#cfid=4090233#
CFID=4090234
CFTOKEN=7006943854c1fec-1277199B-EB6C-3E72-E6468A3AF7E9C173
FREEACCESSCOUNT=0
Session Variables:
cfid=4090234
cftoken=7006943854c1fec-1277199B-EB6C-3E72-E6468A3AF7E9C173
sessionid=BOOKBROWSE_4090234_7006943854c1fec-1277199B-EB6C-3E72-E6468A3AF7E9C173
urltoken=CFID=4090234&CFTOKEN=7006943854c1fec-1277199B-EB6C-3E72-E6468A3AF7E9C173
URL Parameters:
ezine_preview_number=13694
the-weight-of-a-piano=
Debug Rendering Time: 14 ms