Hi all,
New member Donna Green attended book group and she’s certainly a great addition to the mix! New member Nathan Mesker planned to attend but had to send his regrets along with some of his thoughtful observations on the selections: we really look forward to seeing you in August, Nathan!
I have to say... we were a little more “off topic” than usual, but for good reason— for catching up on goings-on, and especially for getting to know Donna!
Briefly, reactions to the reading material:
Windigo Footprints from Braiding Sweetgrass—a real mix! Some (including me) thought it brilliant and powerful, others 'not news' and 'not really applicable.'
The Biggest Little Farm—Most enjoyed it a lot, found it inspiring, fun, and beautiful. Some negatives— the “white privilege” and apparently unlimited resources and time they seemed to have, and also the location near LA with droughts and wildfires seemed poorly chosen.
The Economist articles—These are always enlightening! We found them clear and accurate assessments of many different issues, but not exactly reassuring or positive even when they took a positive tone. The situation is just too dire.
For next time, August 4th, we agreed to switch to fiction, specifically the quickly growing genre of “cli-fi". (Sort of a weird vacation read?)
Here are some possibilities, thanks to that Yale Climate Connections list that Linda sent:
The Dry by Jane Harper (2016, but they are making a movie of it and the reserve list is huge)
Living Sea of Waking Dreams by Richard Flanagan
The New Wilderness by Diane Cook
Everything Change, an anthology of short stories, vol.III (Arizona State U's annual climate fiction contest, edited by Dell). This is a free download (see the list link attached below) so that’s an extra reason in its favor.
Our choice may depend on availability. I've had reserves on the first three (as ebooks) but the wait still looks quite long.
Suggestions, anyone?
https://yaleclimateconnections.org/2021/06/12-books-to-get-your-summer-reading-started/
There’s an excellent documentary called Breaking Boundaries, the Science of Our Planet. By Johan Rockstrom with David Attenborough. On NETFLIX.
It would be great to discuss that together in August, too.