Reading Nature: An Environmental Literature Group The Sterling Nature Center has launched Reading Nature, a new environmental literature group exploring how writers express humanity’s relationship with the natural world. Through essays, memoirs, poetry, and fiction, the group reflects on how literature helps us see our place in nature with clarity and curiosity.
The group is guided by Friends of the Sterling Nature Center members Marc Fellenz and Juliana Podd, who bring a shared passion for both literature and the environment. Meetings are open to everyone who enjoys reading, discussion, and community.
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Current Read
The Lives of Animals
by J.M. Coetzee
The Lives of Animals is a thought-provoking novella that explores our relationship with animals and the ethical questions surrounding how we live alongside them. Through engaging storytelling, Coetzee invites readers to reflect on compassion, humanity, and our place in the natural world.
This book will be discussed at the next Reading Nature gathering on Sunday, July 26, from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. at the Sterling Nature Center.
How to get the book
A free PDF of The Lives of Animals is available through the Tanner Lectures website. You can also contact Marc at fellenz@protonmail.com if you have any questions about this month's reading.
How the Group Works
Reading Nature meets once a month at the Nature Center.
Everyone has a say in what we read next. A short survey helps us gather ideas for themes, authors, and future selections.
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Snow Plan
If a scheduled meeting lands on a snowy day, we will try to meet via Zoom. If that is not satisfactory, we will adopt a different policy going forward.
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Suggested Future Reads
Silent Spring – Rachel Carson
A Walk in the Woods – Bill Bryson
Doughnut Economics – Kate Raworth
The Signature of All Things – Elizabeth Gilbert
The Serviceberry – Robin Wall Kimmerer
The Book of Hope – Jane Goodall
The Eye of the Crocodile – Val Plumwood
Remarkably Bright Creatures – Shelby Van Pelt