Join us for the Grand Rapids Audubon Club’s Birdy Book Club, hosted at Books & Mortar, a locally owned, independent book store. On Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, we’ll discuss “The Serviceberry: Abundance and Reciprocity in the Natural World" by Robin Wall Kimmerer.
About the book:
“As Indigenous scientist and author of Braiding Sweetgrass Robin Wall Kimmerer harvests serviceberries alongside the birds, she considers the ethic of reciprocity that lies at the heart of the gift economy. How, she asks, can we learn from Indigenous wisdom and the plant world to reimagine what we value most? Our economy is rooted in scarcity, competition, and the hoarding of resources, and we have surrendered our values to a system that actively harms what we love. Meanwhile, the serviceberry’s relationship with the natural world is an embodiment of reciprocity, interconnectedness, and gratitude. The tree distributes its wealth—its abundance of sweet, juicy berries—to meet the needs of its natural community. And this distribution ensures its own survival. As Kimmerer explains, ‘Serviceberries show us another model, one based upon reciprocity, where wealth comes from the quality of your relationships, not from the illusion of self-sufficiency.’”
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About the club:
-Buy or borrow the book and complete the reading before the meeting. Get 10% off the price of the book if you purchase at Books & Mortar (mention it's for the GRAC Birdy Book Club!)
-There’s no cost to participate (apart from any books you opt to purchase). And you don't need to be a club member, or a birder, to join us for the discussion! We love meeting new people
-Book club meets 6 to 7 p.m. generally on the second Monday of every other month (January, March, May, July, September, November) except in the case of scheduling conflicts.
-Titles for the 2026 book club schedule (and past picks) are available on our website: https://www.graud.org/membershipmeetings-1
-This is a space for mutually respectful, curious and sometimes challenging conversations. Happy reading!