Book Club Night Kit

Carl's Doomsday Scenario

Matt Dinniman

Cozy night

A man in boxer shorts and his very opinionated show cat keep fighting their way through a deadly alien game show, and underneath the chaos and jokes it's a story about friendship and looking after each other. It's funny, fast and surprisingly tender, so it's easy to talk about over a warm mug.

Grab a Blanket, Crawler: Book Club Night in the Safe Room

Join us for warm stew, hot cocoa and heartfelt chat about Carl's Doomsday Scenario. Pants optional, cat photos encouraged.

Reading level: Easy

Best for: Friendly clubs that love laughing out loud and don't mind a surprise lump in the throat, especially pet lovers and gamers.

Discussion

Warm-up

1.Princess Donut brings a lot of big personality. Which pet (yours, a friend's or a childhood one) would handle a dungeon most like her, and how would they cope?
2.If you got one safe room to rest in between dangers, what three comforts from home would you want waiting there?

Digging in

1.Carl and Donut bicker constantly but clearly depend on each other. Did their friendship remind you of a relationship in your own life where teasing is really a way of saying 'I care'?
2.The book swings between laugh-out-loud moments and sudden sadness. Was there a moment that made you laugh and ache at once, and why did it hit you that way?
3.Carl keeps choosing small kindnesses even when the game rewards cruelty. What everyday acts of decency do you find comforting to see, in stories or in real life?
4.Being watched by an audience shapes how the crawlers act. Have you ever felt you had to 'perform' being okay, and what helped you feel safe enough to stop?

Going deep

1.By the end of this book, how have your feelings about Carl and Donut's partnership changed? Did any moment make you feel more protective of them, without naming what happens?
2.The series is built around a very bleak situation, yet many readers call it hopeful. Where did you find hope in this book, and did it stay with you after you closed it?

On the table & to sip

To eat

Safe Room Beef and Veggie Stew

A big pot of hearty stew feels like the relief of finally reaching a safe room. Make it ahead in a slow cooker and let guests help themselves.

Loot Box Hand Pies

Flaky pastry pockets with a mix of savory and sweet fillings, so every bite is a little surprise, just like opening a loot box. Store-bought pie crust keeps it easy.

Princess Donut's Glazed Donut Bites

Warm mini donuts (or donut holes) with a pink glaze, fit for a spoiled show cat. Serve them on a fancy plate for royal flair.

To sip

Safe Room Hot Cocoa Bar (no alcohol)

Rich cocoa with marshmallows, whipped cream and cinnamon, so everyone can make their own comforting mug.

Dungeon Tavern Spiked Cider

Warm spiced apple cider with an optional splash of bourbon, served in mugs like a tavern drink at the end of a long crawl.

Healing Potion Honey Toddy

A gentle hot toddy with honey, lemon and a little whiskey, playfully named after the potions crawlers depend on.