everything you need to know about book club. start here!

Important dates, what to expect, and your first week of prompts/tasks!

welcome to book club!

I’m so excited to introduce our Down to Earth Summer Book Club. Thank you for being here!

This season, we’re reading poetry together—slowly, intentionally, and in tune with the beauty around us. My hope is that this club offers you inspiration and support as you make your way through the collection, Devotions by Mary Oliver.

If that sounds like something you’d like to be part of for six sweet weeks of your summer (don’t worry—it won’t take up all your time, but it will encourage you to savour the in-between moments), then subscribe, read on to learn more, and keep an eye on your inbox and our community chat!

book of choice: Devotions by Mary Oliver.

I chose this collection because it brings together many of her most beloved poems, handpicked by the poet herself.

* Note: this book includes over 200 poems. We won’t be reading all of them—and that’s okay. This club is about going slowly and savouring each one, not rushing through.

book club overview:

✿ six weeks of slow reading on your own (but not alone)

✿ book club ‘homework’ to engage more deeply—think: creative workshops, nature dates, journal prompts, etc.

✿ biweekly book club emails (released on Fridays: July 4, July 18, August 1)

✿ free for anyone to follow along

✿ optional live meetups (2 total) for paying subscribers—dates TBA

✿ designed to be flexible: join anytime, skip weeks if needed, savour at your own pace

timeline:

Starts today! June 20 — the first day of summer

Ends: August 15 — with a wrap-up and reflection

Email check-ins: July 4, July 18, August 1.

how to get the most out of book club

✿ subscribe (if you haven’t already!)

✿ keep an eye out for check-in prompts and threads every two weeks—join the conversation when you feel called

✿ read Devotions—at your own pace or follow the suggested reading schedule

✿ become a paying subscriber and join our live meetups

✿ follow along on Instagram for behind-the-scenes book club moments

where to find everything

✿ important info will go out via email and in the community chat

✿ questions? DM me on the Substack app or reply to any book club email—I’ll get back to you as soon as I can!

what to do now:

1. get the book! Try your library, local bookstore, facebook marketplace, or Indigo (that’s where I found mine!)

2. introduce yourself in the chat! Snap a photo of your copy and say hi! There’s a thread waiting for you—share a little about yourself and why you’re joining.

3. start your first book club “homework”. Keep reading for your first check-in and journal prompts!

first book club check-in

Take these next two weeks at your own pace. Don’t rush, don’t try to make it perfect—just gently begin.

On July 4, I’ll open up a check-in thread in the community chat where we can reflect on our experience so far. You’re welcome to share a line you loved, a journal entry, a photo, or simply check in with how it’s going.

suggested reading:

Option 1:
Read one poem a day, in any order.
You can go front to back, skip around, or pick a weekly theme (like nature, animals, or mornings) to guide your reading. This part is flexible—follow your curiosity!

Option 2:
Focus on two sections:

• A Thousand Mornings (starts on page 45)

• Dream Work (starts on page 343)

From these, choose 13 poems to read over the summer—whichever ones call to you.
Then, choose 1 bonus poem of your choice from anywhere in Devotions (see: assigned “homework”).

assigned “homework”

Complete any or all of these over the next two weeks

Read through the table of contents. Take note of any poem titles that catch your eye. write them down in your journal or dog-ear the pages.

Read one of your chosen poems. Why did it call to you? Was it a word? A memory? A feeling it? After reading it, how did it land with you?

Go on a “Mary Oliver walk”. Leave behind your phone, wander slowly, and notice the small details. After the walk, jot down 5-10 things you saw, heard, or felt.

Sit Spot Challenge. Pick a specific outdoor place to visit once a week. Sit in the same spot for 10 minutes and sketch or write what you notice and what changes each time. (Ongoing for the whole book club!)

Create a mood board. What does your “Mary Oliver summer” look like? Use Pinterest, magazines, and open-access websites (cosmos, the met, unsplash) to find photos, quotes, and colours that capture the vibe.

This book club is here to support your unique journey with Mary Oliver’s poetry this summer. Participate in the chat, post photos, reflect quietly, or just read the poems in the morning sunshine. There’s no right way to do this—just do it your way.

I’ll be in the chat throughout the summer, and I’d love to hear about what you’re reading and noticing. On July 4, I’ll open our first check-in thread—no pressure, just a space to share, connect, and be inspired by one another.

PS If you’re joining late or skipping a week—don’t worry. You’re still right on time.

before you go…

Let me know in the comments:
✿ Where are you joining from?
✿ What made you want to join this summer’s book club?
✿ Have you read Mary Oliver before, or is this your first time?

Or just pop in to say hi—I’d love to know who’s reading along. So glad you’re here.

I can't wait to read with you and hear about your experience.

Cheers to a Mary Oliver summer!