Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. What were your first impressions of the Faraway Inn? Did its dilapidated state surprise you, and how did your feelings about the setting change as Calisa worked to restore it?

2. The novel uses a “nexus” point, a single location connecting many worlds, which is also used in books like Diana Wynne Jones’s Howl’s Moving Castle. How did you feel about this structure compared to portal fantasies that lead to a single magical land? Did it make the world feel more expansive or perhaps less focused?

3. What did the term “cozy fantasy” mean to you before reading this book? In what ways did The Faraway Inn meet or challenge your expectations for the genre?

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1. What makes a place a true sanctuary? Auntie Zee defines her inn as a refuge for those who need to escape, and each guest finds a different kind of peace there. Thinking about your own life, what elements contribute to a space feeling safe and restorative?

2. Calisa finds a sense of purpose by fixing things alongside Jack and caring for the guests. Have you ever found that focusing on a hands-on project or helping others helped you work through a difficult time in your own life?

3. Melidor feels intense pressure from her family to take on adult responsibilities before she feels ready. Can you relate to her feeling of needing space to make a big decision on your own terms? How do you navigate that kind of external pressure?

4. The story suggests that what seems like a painful ending, like Calisa’s breakup, can be a catalyst for positive change. Reflect on a time when a setback or an unexpected change in your own life ended up leading you to something better.

5. At the Night Market, Rin and other vendors rally to support the inn because of Zee’s past kindnesses. Think about a community you’re part of. How have you seen small acts of support build up over time to create a strong network?

6. Throughout the story, Calisa builds a “found family” with Jack, Mulligan, and the other residents. What does the concept of a found family mean to you, and how does the book’s depiction resonate with your own experiences?

Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes.

1. This guide notes that cozy fantasy became popular in the early 2020s as a response to real-world anxieties. Why do you think readers are drawn to stories with low-stakes conflicts and a focus on community and comfort right now?

2. What does the long-standing rift between Zee and Kate, and their eventual reconciliation, suggest about the challenges of bridging generational divides within families? What kinds of real-world generational divides is this most similar to?

3. The Faraway Inn brings together a diverse group of beings from different realms, creating a multicultural sanctuary. How does the novel’s vision of community, built on mutual respect and the need for refuge, speak to the challenges and rewards of creating inclusive spaces in our own world?

Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and symbolism.

1. How does Melidor’s reaction to Calisa and Jack’s gardening change over the course of the novel? How does this relate to the theme of Accepting Change as a Catalyst for Growth?

2. Repair and restoration are central to the novel. Beyond the physical mending of the inn, what other kinds of restoration happen, and how are they interconnected?

3. Both Zee and Calisa have the power to transform into cat form. Under what circumstances does Zee tend to transform? When Calisa finally transforms into a cat, what prompts her to do so? How does this illustrate both similarities and differences between these two characters?

4. Calisa’s magical ability is unlocked only by a moment of genuine positive epiphany. What does this reveal about the nature of magic in the world of the novel, and how does it connect to the theme of accepting change?

5. Sarah Beth Durst has written other standalone cozy fantasies, like The Spellshop. If you’ve read her other work, how does The Faraway Inn compare? If not, how do you think the standalone format contributes to the comforting, low-pressure feel of the genre?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. Imagine you’re a guest at the inn during its grand reopening. If you were to write an entry in the guest logbook, what would you describe about your stay and the unique community you found there?

2. You’ve been tasked with designing a new guest room and portal for the Faraway Inn. What kind of realm would your portal lead to, and what small details would you include in the room’s decor to hint at the world beyond the closet door?

3. If you had access to the Night Market, what kind of stall would you want to visit first? Would you be looking for a unique food, a magical ingredient like Mulligan, or an emotional potion like the one Calisa buys? What would you hope to find?