Good Living Book Club - september

Led by Gail Eckwright, Good Living Book Club Coordinator

Book Club Meeting Date: Sunday, September 21
Time: 3 - 4:30 p.m.
Place: The Good Food Gallery (near the Deli) small snack will be served.

Welcome back!

Many readers may be familiar with Robin Wall Kimmerer from her previous book Braiding Sweetgrass, in which she introduces her audience to the significant and essential interdependence of humans and nature. Braiding Sweetgrass was first published in 2013 and appeared on a number of best-seller lists. The book has had lasting appeal and with a message particularly relevant to climate-change concerns, it became one of the most-borrowed books from public libraries in 2024.

The Serviceberry, published in 2024, continues Kimmerer’s exploration of the interdependence of humans and nature, as she uses the humble serviceberry (also known as Saskatoon, Juneberry, Shadbush, Shadblow, Sugarplum, Sarvis) as the namesake of her proposed serviceberry economy. This serviceberry economy could also be termed a “gift economy” in which the currency is a relationship between giver and recipient; and, unlike in the prevailing market economies, “the prosperity of a community grows from the flow of relationships.” Kimmerer recognizes the difficulties in adopting such an economy on a large scale, but she gently outlines practices for doing it on a community scale.

The Serviceberry is a small and densely-written book with meaningful insights and observations. Named a “best book of the year” by reputable reviewing publications, it is one of those books that stays with us and if we pay attention, improves our lives. The book inspired me to plant two serviceberry bushes, in the hope of seeing how well the Saskatoons feed the neighborhood wildlife. I will keep you posted.

Please join us for our first Good Living Book Club meeting of the fall semester for a lively conversation about The Serviceberry, on Sunday, September 21 at 3-4:30pm in the Food Coop Deli/cafeteria. All are welcome, no prior sign-up required. Be sure to check local bookstores and libraries for copies of this book. Bookpeople of Moscow offers a 15% discount to book club members for titles featured at club meetings. This title is also available for purchase online in ebook and audio formats.

About the Good Living Book Club

The book club will meet monthly, on the second Sunday of the month, January - May and September - December. Led by Gail Eckwright. Each month we will talk about a book related to good food, good health, good work, good neighbors and friends, or just plain good life in general! Some of these books offer guidance or caveats on how to achieve these “goods;” others provide examples of lives well-lived or perhaps cautionary tales. You will find memoirs, how-tos, manifestos, and fiction among the book club selections. All have the potential to stimulate lively conversation.

All books are available for purchase from Bookpeople of Moscow or from other commercial sources. I am able to order up to 4 copies of a title from Bookpeople, to be purchased by club members at a discount; but remember, some publishers’ books are not discountable. This link provides more information about the book club ordering and discount program through Bookpeople: https://www.bookpeopleofmoscow.com/book-clubs

If you choose to purchase a book club title through Bookpeople, keep in mind that a maximum of 4 copies will be available at the 15% discount. Most titles are available for e-readers and in audiobook formats through other commercial sources, as well. Be sure to check local libraries for specific titles, too.

Questions:
If you have any questions, please contact Gail at bookclub@moscowfood.coop