What are good book club discussion questions for Dogs, Boys, And Other Things I've Cried About?

Spoiler-free questions to get the conversation going: As you settled in with this book, which foster dog moment made you smile or reach for a tissue first? Tell us about it; Is there a pet (yours, a neighbor's, or one you wish you had) that came to mind while reading? Introduce them to the group; Klee writes about loving something knowing you may have to let it go. When has caring for someone or something felt both tender and hard for you?; The book finds comfort in small daily routines with the dogs. What small, ordinary rituals bring you the most comfort in your own life?; So much of this story is about being patient with a scared or struggling creature. When has someone been that gentle and patient with you, and how did it feel?.

What food and drinks should I serve at a Dogs, Boys, And Other Things I've Cried About book club?

Food: Slow-cooker chicken and dumplings, Warm oatmeal cookies (people-friendly, dog-shaped if you like), and Loaded baked potato bar. Drinks: Spiced apple cider (warm), Hot cocoa with a marshmallow topping, and Mulled red wine.

How do I host a Dogs, Boys, And Other Things I've Cried About book club night?

A tender, funny memoir about fostering dogs and finding your footing in life, perfect for a night of soft feelings and shared stories. It reads like a warm chat with a friend who loves animals as much as you do.

Dogs, Boys, And Other Things I've Cried About Book Club Questions, Food & Host Guide

Warm-up questions

1 As you settled in with this book, which foster dog moment made you smile or reach for a tissue first? Tell us about it.
2 Is there a pet (yours, a neighbor's, or one you wish you had) that came to mind while reading? Introduce them to the group.

Digging in

1 Klee writes about loving something knowing you may have to let it go. When has caring for someone or something felt both tender and hard for you?
2 The book finds comfort in small daily routines with the dogs. What small, ordinary rituals bring you the most comfort in your own life?
3 So much of this story is about being patient with a scared or struggling creature. When has someone been that gentle and patient with you, and how did it feel?
4 The title suggests a lot of crying, happy and sad. Which passage moved you most, and what do you think it touched in you?

Going deep

1 Across the whole book, how did watching Klee help these dogs heal shift the way you think about your own messy, in-progress moments? Share as much or as little as feels right.
2 By the last pages, what did this book leave you feeling about starting over and giving yourself grace? What will you carry with you from it?

On the table

Slow-cooker chicken and dumplings

A homey, spoon-and-blanket comfort dish that matches the book's tender, nurturing heart.

Warm oatmeal cookies (people-friendly, dog-shaped if you like)

A nod to the dogs and to treats shared with someone you love, easy to bake ahead.

Loaded baked potato bar

Cozy, forgiving, and communal so guests can build their own comfort bowl while they chat.

To sip

Spiced apple cider (warm) No alcohol

A hug in a mug that keeps the whole night soft and low-pressure.

Hot cocoa with a marshmallow topping No alcohol

Pure comfort, a little indulgent, perfect for the teary sweet moments.

Mulled red wine

Warm and mellow for a relaxed grown-up gathering by candlelight.

Soft, warm acoustic songs about love, loyalty, and gentle comfort

Tap a track to play it. Full songs play when you're signed into Spotify.