..... Book Club Anyone?
Two intriguing words - book club - have been thrown about at the farm over the last year or so. In fact, back in September, 2024 I wrote about how the farm has been a catalyst for a shift in my choice of books and shared some of my favorite titles. I finished this blog with a light hearted challenge “….book club anyone?”
Well, here we are over a year later with these two words still dangling in the air waiting to be scooped up again. Our farm team jumped at the idea of an off the clock gathering where we could discuss books that we have read or those on our bedside table waiting patiently to be opened and explored.
No one really needed convincing. Most of us know, at least deep down, that being part of a book club brings folks together, expands our horizons, lets us travel the world without traveling, and builds community. Apparently even ancient philosophers and contemporary scientists alike agree that reading makes us happier. How about that for a 2026 goal?! But, how do we start? What book would launch this new endeavor?
Of all the options put on the table, we chose an inspiring article which addresses a major challenge of our time, helping our children (and ourselves) connect with Nature. We will start with the attached article that is drawn from a book that is very close to our hearts and our mission at the farm; Children & Nature Making Connections – George K. Russell, Editor. What is particularly exciting about this choice is that we have the honor of having George join us and share his thoughts and wisdom. What a treat! I had the incredible luck to be a student of George’s, a Professor Emeritus at Adelphi University, several years back in an adult program of learning at the Waldorf School in Garden City. George was and is thoroughly inspiring! His professorial wisdom has every now and then graced us at the farm as the knowledge gained from his PhD in Biology from Harvard and AB in Biology from Princeton comes naturally in our conversations about educating children about the natural world.
What will a Crossroads Farm Book Club look like?​ We recognize that there many be challenges in starting a community wide book club so we propose starting slowly and gauging our participants interests and availability.
So, in the spirit of the new year and new year’s resolutions, we invite you to share in our first Book Club being held on Thursday, February 19th, 2025 at Malverne Library from 5:00 – 6:45 (please drop in at any time within this time frame). We ask that you read the article in advance. We will have copies of the book for you at the meeting which you can purchase and read at your leisure.
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Please RSVP to Delia by email delia@nassaulandtrust.org for
1. participation in the February, 19th Book Club;
2. interest in being on the list for future communications;
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You can sign up for our monthly blog and re-visit the September, 2024 blog as well on this same page.
Until Next Time,
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Your Friends at Crossroads Farm
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Post Script:
I asked my friends in my book group what they loved most about it. Here are some of their comments. We have been meeting for over 20 years!
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Being in a book group has stretched me as a reader! I've enjoyed so many books that I never would have picked up on my own.
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The camaraderie, the safe space, the laughs, the wine and reading titles I never would have chosen on my own and enjoying them!
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I always liked reading and looking deeper into what I read. I always like discussion groups and reading so this combines both.
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Listening to the insights of women I respect, sharing my own opinions and basking in the diversity of others’ thoughts.
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Hearing the thoughts and reactions of people I admire, love and care about to the books we read together.
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Reading books outside of my usual genres. Being exposed to different authors that I would not be inclined to read on my own.