Anchorage Public Library has partnered with Science Friday to bring the Sci Fri Book Club to the science and reading enthusiasts in our community. The SciFri Book Club is a program created by Science Friday to bring people together around all things science reading – anything from sci-fi short stories to nonfiction science books to science articles from various publications to science-y poetry!
There’s lots of ways to participate: Read the book, join our community space, attend an event, or send a message on the SciFri VoxPop app.
April Selection
This April, the SciFri Book Club is reading When the Earth Was Green: Plants, Animals, and Evolution’s Greatest Romance by Riley Black. In the beginning, there were plants. Billions of years ago, plant life was abundant and diverse, and the evolution of animals was closely tied to the plants that surrounded them. This close relationship between plants and animals played a crucial role in shaping the development of life on Earth. When the Earth Was Green provides a breathtaking ballad of the scientifically-informed romance between early life and plants on our planet. Understanding the coevolution of plants and animals is essential to understanding the history of life on our planet and predicting its future.
When the Earth Was Green brings together a range of topics, including evolution, ecology, environmental science, natural history and more—and we’ll touch on these ideas throughout this Book Club season.
Get the book from the Anchorage Public Library. Ebook and audiobook from the Alaska Digital Library.
This Book Club season kicks off Tuesday, April 1, and you can read along with us! We’ll be (loosely) following this schedule, but all our readers are welcome to join us at their own pace:
- April 1-6: Chapters 1-3
- April 7-13: Chapters 4-7
- April 14-20: Chapters 8-11
- April 21-30: Chapters 12-15 + Final thoughts
Plus, we’ll be hosting events throughout the month! Keep an eye out on our website or join our Events newsletter to be the first to know.
There are so many ways to dive in and participate! You can purchase a copy of the book (and support the author and SciFri), join the discussion in our online Book Club community, sign up for our email newsletter, or RSVP for our upcoming Book Club events. Check out all the details below.
Book Club Meeting
Want to meet other SciFri Book Club members, talk about the book selection, and find more resources for deeper learning—all without leaving your home? Our community meeting is the place for you!
When the Earth Was Green: Plants, Animals, and Evolution’s Greatest Romance
Thursday, May 1
4 PM | Zoom
This discussion meeting will focus on themes and topics featured in When the Earth Was Green. You’re welcome to join us no matter your reading progress—come chat with other science-interested folks about evolution, ecology, environmental science, natural history and more.
Author Live Stream
Join us online for a livestream all about the science topics featured in the SciFri Book Club pick. Come with your queries and wonderings—we’ll be taking your questions in the livestream comments!
When the Earth Was Green: Plants, Animals, and Evolution’s Greatest Romance
Wednesday, April 23
2 PM | Science Friday's YouTube Livestream
Billions of years ago, plant life was abundant and diverse, and the evolution of animals was closely tied to the plant life around them. Join celebrated science writer and author Riley Black for a conversation about her new book, When the Earth Was Green, a breathtaking ballad of the scientifically-informed romance between early life and plants on Earth.
Upcoming Selections
- April: When the Earth was Green: Plants, Animals, and Evolutions, Greatest Romance by Riley Black.
- May: Everything is Tuberculosis by John Green.
- June: Many Things Under a Rock: the Mysteries of Octopuses by David Scheel. Ebook and audiobook available from the Alaska Digital Library. Audiobook always available on hoopla.
