33 Comments

I am absolutely thrilled to reread Woman in the Polar Night. A friend lent it to me two years ago and it was absolutely fabulous. I read it in January or February, deep in the thick of a wild Wyoming winter when we got epic proportions of snow. I could feel the icy wind in each page, could smell the dry winter crust of the snow, and sense the immenseness of that polar landscape. At one point I swear I understood what it was like to become the aurora borealis. I cannot wait to read this with all of you! Thank you!

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Becoming the northern lights - yes!! That’s exactly what comes across. I can’t wait to share this book with everyone!

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This is wonderful news to read!

I can’t help but nominate The Living Mountain by Nan Shepherd, Ann Morrow Lindbergh’s Gift From The Sea, These Precious Days by Ann Patchett…

But I’m sure you’ll come up with something amazing 💫

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The Living Mountain was the first book that came to my mind too. Such a beautiful book!

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Great suggestions :)

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I’ve been looking to join a book club for a while now and who knew the universe was waiting for this change to present me with! Ta da! I loved the Children of Green Knowe and will look forward to this which sounds just like my kind of book. Another captivating book I read is called Wild by Nature by Sarah Marquis. She’s so courageous and brave 🙏

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Well, here we are!! 🥰

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Hello Katherine - this is a great idea and I’m so looking forward to reading Woman in the Polar Night. I would also vote for Braiding Sweet Grass which, having read and enjoyed Gathering Moss, is languishing on my bookshelf begging to be read! Robin Wall Kimmerer’s writing is fascinating with its beautiful mix of science, myth and poetry. I would also suggest Nan Shepherd’s Living Mountain plus the wonderful and timeless A Sand County Almanac, Aldo Leopold’s extraordinary observation of nature and a plea for the preservation of wild spaces, which seems even more relevant today.

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Thank you! (Braiding Sweetgrass is amazing btw!)

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Braiding Sweetgrass has been sat patiently waiting on my shelves for an embarrassing length of time, so I would vote for that one too!

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you HAVE to read it---it's amazing!

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I’m wide awake far too early, reading this as I sit in the dark apart from the light from my screen, with a mug of tea and a happy smile, as this is such a wonderful news. Thank you both for making it happen!

The first book we’ll be reading together in January is new to me. I’m feeling some apprehension as I tend to avoid books where there are scenes involving animals that will haunt me, but it sounds a really beautiful book that I have a feeling will also have a profound impact, and reveal so many layers as we read and discuss it together.

Two books came to mind, that although not classics in the true sense offer a lot to inspire discussion. “Somebody to Love” by Alexandra Heminsley (who you had a wonderful discussion with in, I think, season 1 of your podcast Katherine), and also ‘The Company of Owls’ by Polly Atkins. It would be lovely to read another classic children's book this time next year too.

I’m so looking forward to sharing this with you all! 💕

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Ah good, glad you’re pleased! I think we’ll definitely do another children’s book next Christmas.

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I loved the Children of Green Knowe read along so very much.

Looking forward to joining you with the true stories book club in January. The changes sound very appealing.

And Katherine , thank you for The Clearing. It’s fabulous. 😊

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Excellent ☺️

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I'm very excited about this book club selection. I am planning to read the book in the original German version. Like the author, I am Austrian although I now live in Finland, so her experience feels particular close to home. For future choices, I would nominate my all time favourite, also by an Austrian novelist: "The Wall" by Marlen Haushofer.

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Ooh! I’ll be interested to hear your insights from reading the original!

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REALLY excited about this- sounds like a fab re-jig 💙

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Thanks ☺️

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So excited for the bookclub and what a great first choice. I love it !

If you love it too you might want to look up Cecilia Blomdahl on you tube. She has a channel devoted to her life on Svalbard. They are deep in polar night and I find it fascinating

Xx

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Ooh thanks!

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so excited about this! have just ordered the book 😊

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Yay!

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Oooh, this all looks delightful, and I love that you might include one of May Sarton's journals! And I'm seconding the Aldo Leopold rec from someone else. I could also see this group liking Karen Armstrong's The Spiral Staircase.

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Thank you!

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I am so looking forward to reading Woman in the Polar Night over Christmas!

Thank you so much for sharing the Children of Green Knowe this month...I first read this at school and we watched the BBC adaptation in class. I remember the '80s children's scoffing at the contents of Tolly's Christmas stocking but I longed to be spirited away to that lovely room with the creak croaking rocking horse, the chaffinch and the mysterious locked chest. The atmosphere of Green Knowe still gives me goosebumps and I'm planning a visit to The Manor on my birthday.

How about The Outrun by Amy Liptrott?

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Honestly, visiting that room in real life was magical!

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Looking forward to it! 😊

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Love this <3 more classics and golden oldies, heaven.

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Really looking forward to this!

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I am so excited about this new direction for the book club, and about the first selection, which has been on my wishlist for a few years. When we start, I'll share my list of other books I've read which take place on this same land in the Arctic Circle.

I second Journal of a Solitude by May Sarton and Silence by Sara Maitland.

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