New monthly climate book group started in Inverness.
14 August 2023
Velocity Café & Bicycle Workshop in collaboration with the University of the Highlands and Islands and High Life Highland Libraries are hosting a new monthly climate book group starting Monday 18th September at Velocity Café.
The book group will inform UHI PhD student Ingrid Brubaker’s research about whether reading fiction can change someone’s perception of nature, the environment and the climate emergency. Ingrid is interested in exploring whether reading groups might help engage people in environmental action or change their perception of the natural world. Climate fiction or ‘Cli-Fi’ is a new book genre which deals with environmental issues and climate change and often encourages the reader to consider our planet’s future and our relationship with nature.
The book group will be an opportunity for people to read and discuss a piece of literature each month and engage in environmental and ecophilosophical issues and topics. The intention of the project is to benefit local communities, as we can learn more about how reading groups work and benefit the readers. Libraries and other reading groups might use the results from the research to create their own reading groups too. This climate book group at Velocity café is the first of a few groups Ingrid hopes to organise as part of her research.
The climate book group will be held at Velocity Café, IV2 3NF from 6.30-8.30pm on the following dates:
● Monday 18th September: ‘Girl meets boy’ by Ali Smith
● Monday 16th October: ‘Weather’ by Jenny Offill
● Monday 20th November: ‘The Opposite of a Person’ by Lieke Marsman
● Monday 11th December: ‘The Quarry Wood’ by Nan Shepherd
Participants will be asked to read the texts prior to attending each book group session. You can source your own copy or the selection of books for the reading group will also be available from Inverness Public Library, Farraline Park, Inverness.
Email inverness.library@highlifehighland.com or Phone 01349 781370.
Isabel McLeish, HCWP Project Officer from Velocity Café & Bicycle Workshop said, “We are really looking forward to hosting the new climate book group at our café and hope it will be a great opportunity for like minded people to explore and discuss environmental fiction in a fun and sociable space.”
Ingrid Brubaker, UHI PhD student said,
“Working with Velocity café and High Life Highland is such a privilege; I expect to meet and speak with lots of fascinating people who can inform my research project with interesting opinions and thoughts. I am very excited to explore these pressing topics with the Highland community.”
Julie Corcoran, Head of Libraries said, ‘High Life Highland are delighted to be working in collaboration with Velocity and UHI on this exciting initiative. The book groups will provide the opportunity for the community to come together, to enjoy reading and discussing environmental issues within a relaxed setting.’
If you are interested in taking part or have any questions, please email
HCWP@velocitylove.co.uk
You can find out more about the book club here.
