Rooted Readers Book Club

Rooted Readers at Four Winds Farm Planting Ideas. Growing Conversation. Building Community. Rooted Readers is more than a traditional book club. It is a thoughtfully curated, nine-month experience designed for readers who want meaningful conversation, memorable gatherings, and the opportunity to build genuine connections within the welcoming setting of Four Winds Farm. From September through May, members will gather seven times to explore an intentionally selected collection of fiction and nonfiction. Each book opens the door to a different conversation - about food and agriculture, nature, community, history, resilience, personal growth, and our relationship with the world around us. Inspired by Kaizen, the practice of continuous, incremental improvement, Rooted Readers embraces the idea that meaningful growth often begins with something small: a new perspective, an unexpected question, or a conversation that stays with us long after the evening ends. More Than a Book Discussion Each gathering is carefully designed around that month’s selection and includes: A guided, engaging book discussion A themed tasting, activity, reflection, or exchange Curated snacks and beverages All materials needed for the featured experience Time to connect with a consistent community of fellow readers Throughout the season, members might share an in-season charcuterie board, sample foods inspired by the Great Depression, participate in a reciprocity exchange, or enjoy an Ina Garten–inspired cocktail hour. Every detail is chosen to bring the book beyond the page and create an experience that feels welcoming, thoughtful, and worth looking forward to. You do not need to be a literary expert or an experienced book-club member. Simply read the selection before each gathering and arrive ready to share, listen, and explore the ideas it inspires. Membership Options Two full-term membership options are available for purchase as a package here and below. Full-Term Membership With Books Includes admission to all seven gatherings, all six required books, curated snacks and beverages, and all featured activities, tastings, and supplies throughout the nine-month season. Your books will be selected and provided for you, making it easy to enjoy the complete Rooted Readers experience from beginning to end. Full-Term Membership Without Books Includes admission to all seven gatherings, curated snacks and beverages, and all featured activities, tastings, and supplies throughout the nine-month season. Members choosing this option are responsible for obtaining their own copies of the six required books. A limited number of drop-in tickets may be available for individual meetings. Full-term membership offers the best overall value and is strongly encouraged for those who want to experience the complete reading journey, build deeper connections with fellow members, and see the season’s conversations develop from one gathering to the next. 2026–2027 Reading Schedule September 28, 2026 - Rooted Readers Kickoff Get to know the club and meet your fellow readers before we begin our first selection. Bring a favorite book - or one you have read recently - to share with the group. We’ll enjoy snacks, talk about what makes a great book-club experience, and introduce the upcoming reading list. No advance reading is required for this gathering. October 26, 2026 - Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life by Barbara Kingsolver This nonfiction narrative follows one family’s effort to spend a year eating locally and seasonally, exploring where food comes from and how our choices connect us to the land. Featured activity: Enjoy an in-season charcuterie board inspired by the book while discussing local food, seasonality, and the choices that shape the way we eat. December 7, 2026 - Why Fish Don’t Exist: A Story of Loss, Love, and the Hidden Order of Life by Lulu Miller Part biography, part memoir, and part scientific exploration, this book examines order, chaos, nature, resilience, and how we create meaning in an unpredictable world. Featured activity: A “What’s Your Dandelion?” reflection and discussion. Participants may anonymously share something that brings meaning, joy, or stability to their lives. January 18, 2027 - The Serviceberry: Abundance and Reciprocity in the Natural World by Robin Wall Kimmerer Through lessons drawn from the natural world, Kimmerer invites readers to imagine lives and communities rooted in gratitude, reciprocity, generosity, and connection. Featured activity: A “take one, leave one” exchange inspired by the book’s themes of sharing and reciprocity. Additional details about what to bring will be provided before the meeting. March 1, 2027 - One Small Step Can Change Your Life: The Kaizen Way by Robert Maurer This practical guide explores how small, manageable actions can help us overcome fear, build momentum, and create meaningful, lasting change. Featured activity: Revisit New Year’s resolutions through a Kaizen lens and turn one larger goal into a realistic series of small steps. April 12, 2027 - The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah Set during the Great Depression and Dust Bowl, this historical novel follows a Texas woman who journeys west with her children in search of safety, opportunity, and a better life. Featured activity: Sample Depression-era foods and join a “What Would You Pack?” discussion exploring difficult choices, resilience, and what we value most. May 24, 2027 - Be Ready When the Luck Happens: A Memoir by Ina Garten In this memoir, the Barefoot Contessa reflects on food, business, creativity, relationships, risk-taking, and the choices that shaped her life and career. Featured activity: An Ina Garten–inspired cocktail hour and signature recipe exchange. Additional instructions for the recipe exchange will be shared before the meeting. Come for the books, stay for the conversation, and leave with new ideas, new connections, and something worth carrying forward.