Your book club sounds amazing, and so does your backyard! We are all out here, in different places, feeling that fear and anxiety. It’s a gift that you’re bringing people together and building community in person, and online! Thank you for being an example of how to do that, and for sharing how uncomfortable it can feel to try (so we don’t think we’re somehow doing it wrong when we try and feel awkward or unsure). Take good care during these days ❤️
Ah I also really liked Wild Dark Shore! I immediately checked out her other book, Once There Were Wolves after reading it. It is SO vulnerable when someone has critiques of a piece that we love. This came at a great time as I'm brainstorming starting a climate crisis-themed book club and this is one of the books I want to have us read.
Oh, I *love* this idea for a book club. Have you read The Light Pirate? That was also a climate-fiction favorite — of mine, and the book club's! I think this is such a smart way to gather people to talk about an issue that feels too unwieldy and scary otherwise
First, I loved Wild Dark Shore, so I am with you on that!
And I love book clubs for the reasons you share. I've learned a lot about friends through book club, especially because when we share so many similar interests and then to find that they hated the book I loved, it makes it a rich experience. We laugh a lot at my book club, too and it is so nourishing. We meet after hours in a children's bookstore, so it's just lovely setting sans kids to be in.
Yes! Disagreeing with someone you typically agree with can be a fascinating surprise. It’s a good reminder that art is subjective, and there’s no right or wrong opinion. And meeting after-hours in a bookstore sounds so magical! I just love that!
I've already chimed in with my most important comment but had to pop back in with my next important response: I wanna be part of your book club, I wannnnaaaa!!!! 😛🤷♀️🙃
Remember when instead of being honest that I was terrified to move to another city for a dude, I spiraled out over a tattoo of a chicken head coming out of a head of cabbage? It's so much easier to focus on weird tattoos and tension rods. I love you and your book club and your backyard.
I am part of two books clubs and I have a version of this experience often, the jarring sense that we couldn’t have possibly even read the same thing because I loved it and they hated it or visa versa. But I have really come to appreciate these people challenging the way I think on something as simple as a book, because it helps me be a lot more mentally flexible on the larger way I move through the world. I ❤️ book clubs! Thanks for this great article, Katie.
Have fun! It made for a great discussion, no matter where people landed on it. (Also, please be sure to bring up the wombats? I neglected to mention this at my meeting and regret it!)
I want to comment on what Katherine said so wisely, that finding your community isn't like hit the buy button online, or whatever else we use to distance ourselves from whatever we think may be out there -> Having said that much, most of us probably haven't met but I feel like we do have a community here in Katieland. And I want to thank her for that. It's a space where you can come as you are. You'd be hard pressed to find there these days.
Your book club sounds amazing, and so does your backyard! We are all out here, in different places, feeling that fear and anxiety. It’s a gift that you’re bringing people together and building community in person, and online! Thank you for being an example of how to do that, and for sharing how uncomfortable it can feel to try (so we don’t think we’re somehow doing it wrong when we try and feel awkward or unsure). Take good care during these days ❤️
This is so kind! And true. Thank you, fellow Katie!
YOUR BOOKCLUB IS WRONG ABOUT WILD DARK SHORE.
Jk, they are entitled to their opinions, I supppoooosssee. ;) But I'm with you!
Loved this post. Also loved the line you ended with. Exactly.
Thank you for confirming this! They are absolutely, terribly wrong, but I still love them ;)
And I’m so glad you like that last line! As soon as I remembered/found that quote, I was like, my work here is done.
Ah I also really liked Wild Dark Shore! I immediately checked out her other book, Once There Were Wolves after reading it. It is SO vulnerable when someone has critiques of a piece that we love. This came at a great time as I'm brainstorming starting a climate crisis-themed book club and this is one of the books I want to have us read.
Oh, I *love* this idea for a book club. Have you read The Light Pirate? That was also a climate-fiction favorite — of mine, and the book club's! I think this is such a smart way to gather people to talk about an issue that feels too unwieldy and scary otherwise
I have not, thank you for the rec!
First, I loved Wild Dark Shore, so I am with you on that!
And I love book clubs for the reasons you share. I've learned a lot about friends through book club, especially because when we share so many similar interests and then to find that they hated the book I loved, it makes it a rich experience. We laugh a lot at my book club, too and it is so nourishing. We meet after hours in a children's bookstore, so it's just lovely setting sans kids to be in.
Yes! Disagreeing with someone you typically agree with can be a fascinating surprise. It’s a good reminder that art is subjective, and there’s no right or wrong opinion. And meeting after-hours in a bookstore sounds so magical! I just love that!
Except, clearly we are correct in our opinions of Wild Dark Shore 😂
I've already chimed in with my most important comment but had to pop back in with my next important response: I wanna be part of your book club, I wannnnaaaa!!!! 😛🤷♀️🙃
I have no doubt you’d be a wonderful addition!
Remember when instead of being honest that I was terrified to move to another city for a dude, I spiraled out over a tattoo of a chicken head coming out of a head of cabbage? It's so much easier to focus on weird tattoos and tension rods. I love you and your book club and your backyard.
I love you too — chicken head spirals and all. Me and my backyard miss you!
NGL, need some info on the mechanics of shade sails.
Hahaha, I will consider this as a perk for paid subscribers
The essay was great and all, ofc, but honestly I'm here for more photos of the shade sail!
Okay this actually is going to be a subscriber perk! Stay tuned for end-of-month glimmers ✨
HORRAY!!! ✨✨✨
I was hoping for a peek at the sails too, but alas....
I am part of two books clubs and I have a version of this experience often, the jarring sense that we couldn’t have possibly even read the same thing because I loved it and they hated it or visa versa. But I have really come to appreciate these people challenging the way I think on something as simple as a book, because it helps me be a lot more mentally flexible on the larger way I move through the world. I ❤️ book clubs! Thanks for this great article, Katie.
I love this perspective. Your book clubs are lucky to have you, Holly!
I am now one of 1100 people waiting on an e-copy from my local library. Wild Dark Shore looks like it's going to be a great read!
Blame Katie and her book club!
Amen to that. I think that's one of the best posts ever! Now I need to read that book! Beautiful post Katie. Straight up.
Thank you, Lori! Let me know where you land on the book!!
I definitely will!
I'm with you, Katie! My book club meets tonight to discuss Wild Dark Shore (which I devoured)!
Have fun! It made for a great discussion, no matter where people landed on it. (Also, please be sure to bring up the wombats? I neglected to mention this at my meeting and regret it!)
I want to comment on what Katherine said so wisely, that finding your community isn't like hit the buy button online, or whatever else we use to distance ourselves from whatever we think may be out there -> Having said that much, most of us probably haven't met but I feel like we do have a community here in Katieland. And I want to thank her for that. It's a space where you can come as you are. You'd be hard pressed to find there these days.
So thank you Katie. 💕