Radical Reading
Discover, Discuss, and Dive Deep: Join Our Book Club!
Explore thought-provoking books that challenge your perceptions, expand your knowledge, and stretch your comfort zone. With a mix of fiction and nonfiction selections, these reads are designed to inspire meaningful conversations.
Two Ways to Connect:
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In-Person Meetings: Join us on Sundays each month at 12:30 PM.
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Online Gatherings: Tune in on Wednesdays each month at 8 PM Eastern (NYC).
Find all meeting dates in this article and in the events section of Unity in Edinboro and Bolts of Love. If joining online, don’t forget to RSVP to receive your Zoom link.
Support the Club:
Your financial support makes this enriching experience possible. Contributions of any amount help cover costs and keep the conversations flowing.
Interested in becoming a sponsor? Contact Jenn Shepherd for details.
Let’s come together to explore, learn, and grow—one book at a time!
Radical Reading
January 2025
Hope For Cynics
January Book Club Selection: Hope for Cynics by Dr. Jamil Zaki
Join us this January to discuss Hope for Cynics, a thought-provoking exploration of human nature and the power of hopeful skepticism.
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Discussion Details:
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In-Person Gathering: January 19 @ 12:30 PM at Unity in Edinboro
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Online via Zoom: January 15 @ 8 PM (NYC time)
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For centuries, people have debated whether humanity is fundamentally selfish or kind. Today, trust in others seems to be dwindling, with many convinced that human virtue is vanishing. Dr. Jamil Zaki challenges this belief, combining science and storytelling to reveal how cynical thinking often distorts our view of others and exacerbates social issues.
In Hope for Cynics, Zaki introduces "hopeful skepticism," a balanced approach that acknowledges flaws while celebrating strengths. This perspective allows us to rebuild trust, rethink relationships, and take meaningful steps toward a better world.
Whether you're joining in person or online, this discussion is sure to inspire new ways of thinking about ourselves and others.
RSVP Required for Zoom Access:
Ensure you RSVP to receive the Zoom link and participate in the online discussion.
Don't miss this opportunity to connect and explore the transformative potential of hopeful skepticism!
Feburary
We Are the Leaders We Have Been Looking For
February Book Club Selection: We Are the Leaders We Have Been Looking For by Eddie S. Glaude Jr.
This February, delve into an inspiring exploration of personal growth, Black politics, and action with We Are the Leaders We Have Been Looking For by Eddie S. Glaude Jr., one of the nation’s leading scholars and bestselling authors.
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Discussion Details:
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In-Person Gathering: February 16 @ 12:30 PM at Unity in Edinboro
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Online via Zoom: February 19 @ 8 PM (NYC time)
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Eddie S. Glaude Jr. challenges us to embrace the hard work of becoming better individuals as a cornerstone of building a stronger democracy. Drawing on the legacies of Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, Ella Baker, and other profound thinkers, Glaude weaves personal anecdotes and philosophical insights to inspire us to be the leaders our democracy urgently needs.
Through a blend of history, political theory, and reflections on great writers such as James Baldwin and Toni Morrison, Glaude empowers readers to address today’s challenges with creativity and courage. This powerful narrative reminds us that democracy’s survival depends on ordinary people stepping into leadership roles and shaping a better future.
RSVP Required for Zoom Access:
Make sure to RSVP to receive the Zoom link for the online discussion.
Join us for an enriching conversation about the transformative role each of us can play in reimagining and revitalizing our communities!
March 2025
The Serviceberry
March Book Club Selection: The Serviceberry by Robin Wall Kimmerer
This March, explore a bold and inspiring vision of gratitude, reciprocity, and community with The Serviceberry by Robin Wall Kimmerer, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Braiding Sweetgrass.
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Discussion Details:
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In-Person Gathering: March 9 @ 12:30 PM at Unity in Edinboro
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Online via Zoom: March 19 @ 8 PM (NYC time)
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In this profound work, Robin Wall Kimmerer—an Indigenous scientist and gifted storyteller—invites us to rethink our relationship with the natural world. Drawing from the lessons of the serviceberry tree, she examines the reciprocity ethic central to both Indigenous wisdom and the natural world.
Kimmerer challenges the scarcity mindset underpinning modern economies, advocating instead for a gift economy rooted in connection and abundance. Through the lens of the serviceberry, she illustrates how true wealth lies in relationships and mutual care—not in self-sufficiency or accumulation.
With poetic insights and practical wisdom, The Serviceberry is a call to heal our broken relationships and embrace values that sustain both people and the planet. As Elizabeth Gilbert beautifully puts it, Robin Wall Kimmerer’s words are “a hymn of love to the world.”
RSVP Required for Zoom Access:
Be sure to RSVP to receive the Zoom link for the online discussion.
Join us for this heartfelt conversation and discover how reciprocity and gratitude can guide us toward a flourishing future!
April Book Club Selection: A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle
This April, journey into a transformative exploration of consciousness and spiritual growth with A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle.
Discussion Details:
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In-Person Gathering: April 13 @ 12:30 PM at Unity in Edinboro
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Online via Zoom: April 16 @ 8 PM (NYC time)
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In this groundbreaking book, Eckhart Tolle reveals how humanity's collective ego has trapped us in dysfunction, driving consumerism, conflict, and environmental destruction. He argues that our survival depends on evolving beyond these ego-driven behaviors and awakening to a higher state of consciousness.
A New Earth serves as a practical guide for recognizing and overcoming the patterns of ego that shape our thoughts and actions. Through this shift in awareness, Tolle inspires us to create a life—and a world—rooted in presence, purpose, and harmony.
Whether you’re a longtime admirer of Eckhart Tolle or new to his teachings, this discussion will inspire deep reflection and meaningful dialogue about personal and global transformation.
RSVP Required for Zoom Access:
Be sure to RSVP to receive the Zoom link for the online discussion.
Let’s explore together how evolving our consciousness can lead to a more peaceful, sustainable, and connected world!
May Book Club Selection: The Ugly History of Beautiful Things: Essays on Desire and Consumption by Katy Kelleher
​This May, delve into a fascinating and thought-provoking exploration of beauty, desire, and the hidden costs of the things we cherish with The Ugly History of Beautiful Things by Katy Kelleher.
Discussion Details:
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In-Person Gathering: May 18 @ 12:30 PM at Unity in Edinboro
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Online via Zoom: May 21 @ 8 PM (NYC time)
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In these captivating essays, Paris Review contributor Katy Kelleher examines humanity's obsession with beautiful objects—makeup, flowers, perfume, silk, and more—unveiling the darker histories behind their creation. From crushed beetles in lipstick to dangerous mines yielding shimmering jewels, Kelleher explores the hidden shadows behind the things we admire and desire.
Combining science, history, and memoir, Kelleher weaves a stunning narrative that invites readers to reconsider their relationship with beauty. She examines the ethical implications of consumption while also celebrating the joy and inspiration that beauty brings. With prose as dazzling as the subjects she explores, The Ugly History of Beautiful Things is both an eye-opener and a love letter to the complex allure of beauty.
RSVP Required for Zoom Access:
Ensure you RSVP to receive the Zoom link for the online discussion.
Join us as we uncover the intricate stories behind the objects we adore and reflect on the true cost—and value—of beauty.
June Book Club Selection: Soil: The Story of a Black Mother's Garden by Camille T. Dungy
This June, join us for an enriching conversation about resilience, diversity, and environmental justice with Soil: The Story of a Black Mother's Garden, a powerful memoir by poet and scholar Camille T. Dungy.
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Discussion Details:
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In-Person Gathering: June 22 @ 12:30 PM at Unity in Edinboro
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Online via Zoom: June 18 @ 8 PM (NYC time)
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In this seminal work, Camille T. Dungy chronicles her seven-year journey to transform her garden in Fort Collins, Colorado—a community with restrictive planting rules. By cultivating a diverse array of plants, herbs, vegetables, and flowers, Dungy not only reshapes her garden but also offers a profound meditation on the dangers of homogeneity and the power of diversity.
Soil merges nature writing, environmental justice, and memoir to illuminate the intersection of the African diaspora, land, and identity. Dungy’s lyrical prose invites readers to rethink how we view the natural world and emphasizes the need for diverse voices in our discourse about the environment.
RSVP Required for Zoom Access:
Make sure to RSVP to receive the Zoom link for the online discussion.
Join us as we explore the transformative potential of diversity in both our gardens and our communities, and how tending to the soil beneath us can deepen our sense of belonging and connection.
July Book Club Selection: The God of Endings by Jacqueline Holland
​This July, immerse yourself in a suspenseful and enchanting tale of immortality, love, and the human condition with Jacqueline Holland’s breathtaking debut novel, The God of Endings.
Discussion Details:
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In-Person Gathering: July 13 @ 12:30 PM at Unity in Edinboro
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Online via Zoom: July 16 @ 8 PM (NYC time)
Collette LeSange has lived for centuries, ever since her grandfather bestowed the gift—and burden—of immortality upon her in 1834. Now, nearly 150 years later, she leads a quiet life as the head of an elite fine art school for children in upstate New York. But her carefully constructed world is disrupted by the arrival of a gifted yet troubled student, the haunting resurgence of an adversary from her past, and the stirring of a mysterious hunger within herself.
Weaving history, myth, and deep emotional resonance, The God of Endings asks profound questions about the nature of life, love, and the cost of eternity. Jacqueline Holland’s stunning prose and gripping narrative will leave you pondering whether immortality is a gift—or a curse.
RSVP Required for Zoom Access:
Be sure to RSVP to receive the Zoom link for the online discussion.
Join us for an unforgettable exploration of this deeply moving and thought-provoking novel!
August Book Club Selection: The Death of Expertise by Tom Nichols
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This August, join us to discuss a timely and provocative examination of the rejection of knowledge and critical thinking in Tom Nichols' The Death of Expertise: The Campaign Against Established Knowledge and Why It Matters.
Discussion Details:
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In-Person Gathering: August 10 @ 12:30 PM at Unity in Edinboro
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Online via Zoom: August 13 @ 8 PM (NYC time)
In this expanded edition, Nichols delves into the troubling rise of anti-intellectualism and the rejection of expertise. He explores factors contributing to this phenomenon, including the overwhelming presence of the Internet, a "customer satisfaction" model in higher education, and the evolution of the news industry into an entertainment-first platform. Nichols connects these trends to the erosion of democracy, where misinformation and populist movements thrive, fueled by overconfidence, paranoia, and a lack of critical thinking.
Written with urgency and clarity, The Death of Expertise is both a call to action and a sobering analysis of a society in turmoil. Nichols challenges readers to reflect on the value of informed dialogue and the consequences of ignoring expertise in a rapidly changing world.
RSVP Required for Zoom Access:
Ensure you RSVP to receive the Zoom link for the online discussion.
Join us for this essential conversation about the role of knowledge, critical thinking, and expertise in safeguarding democracy and informed discourse.
September Book Club Selection: The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese
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This September, dive into a sweeping, multigenerational epic with Abraham Verghese’s acclaimed novel, The Covenant of Water.
Discussion Details:
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In-Person Gathering: September 28 @ 12:30 PM at Unity in Edinboro
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Online via Zoom: September 24 @ 8 PM (NYC time)
Spanning from 1900 to 1977, The Covenant of Water chronicles the story of an Indian family burdened by the mysterious “Condition,” a hereditary affliction that causes tragic drownings among its members. Big Ammachi, the family matriarch, navigates decades of love and loss, raising her children and grandchildren while seeking answers to the enigma that haunts her lineage.
Set in Kerala, this richly textured narrative delves into India’s caste system, British imperialism, and the unique traditions of its Christian community. Abraham Verghese, a physician and bestselling author of Cutting for Stone, infuses the novel with vivid medical detail and poignant reflections on faith, resilience, and the human spirit.
RSVP Required for Zoom Access:
RSVP to receive the Zoom link for the online discussion and join this engaging conversation.
Join us to explore this evocative and masterfully written tale of family, culture, and enduring hope.
October Book Club Selection: From Strength to Strength by Arthur C. Brooks
​This October, explore how to turn life’s transitions into opportunities for growth and happiness with Arthur C. Brooks’ transformative guide, From Strength to Strength.
Discussion Details:
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In-Person Gathering: October 19 @ 12:30 PM at Unity in Edinboro
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Online via Zoom: October 22 @ 8 PM (NYC time)
In From Strength to Strength, Arthur C. Brooks challenges the misconception that success in earlier years ensures satisfaction later in life. Drawing from his own journey after a thriving career, Brooks provides a roadmap for embracing the later stages of life with purpose and joy.
Combining insights from social science, philosophy, theology, and Eastern wisdom, Brooks outlines actionable steps to redefine success. With a focus on fostering wisdom, detaching from superficial rewards, and cultivating meaningful relationships, connection, and spiritual growth, this book offers tools to create a fulfilling second act.
RSVP Required for Zoom Access:
Don’t forget to RSVP to secure the Zoom link for the online discussion.
Join us for an engaging conversation about finding happiness and purpose, no matter where you are on your life journey!
November Book Club Selection: Emotional Intelligence and Why It Matters by Daniel Goleman
​This November, uncover the science behind success, empathy, and personal growth with Daniel Goleman’s groundbreaking work, Emotional Intelligence and Why It Matters.
Discussion Details:
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In-Person Gathering: November 16 @ 12:30 PM at Unity in Edinboro
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Online via Zoom: November 19 @ 8 PM (NYC time)
Why do some people with high IQs struggle while others with modest IQs thrive? Daniel Goleman’s Emotional Intelligence explores this question, revealing the role of our "two minds"—the rational and the emotional—in shaping our lives. With compelling research from neuroscience and psychology, Goleman introduces emotional intelligence (EI) as a critical factor for success, health, and fulfillment.
This 25th-anniversary edition addresses the growing need for EI in a digital age where online interactions dominate, automation transforms workplaces, and technology evolves rapidly. Goleman highlights how qualities like self-awareness, self-discipline, and empathy can be developed throughout life to enhance personal and professional relationships, foster resilience, and unlock our full potential.
RSVP Required for Zoom Access:
Please RSVP to receive the Zoom link for the online discussion.
Join us to explore how emotional intelligence can redefine success and empower us to thrive in an increasingly complex world!