Our spring session of Literature of the Land, a book club series hosted by the Helen Fowler Library, is already underway. We delve into literature related to the land and to nature, discussing topics that may range from environmental issues to the culture of food and drink, from the American dust bowl to the cinnamon trees of Southeast Asia.

Check back soon for details on our Fall 2012 session!

This spring we’ll focus on the influences of nature in certain Japanese traditions and cuisines. Discussing the culture of tea, the aesthetic of wabi-sabi in art and philosophy, and the story of sushi (from its origins to its presence in America today), we’ll touch on several aspects of Japanese tradition and thought.

We’ll start out reading The Book of Tea by Okakura Kakuzo, move on to Wabi-Sabi: for Artists, Designers, Poets & Philosophers by Leonard Korn, then end the session by reading The Zen of Fish by Trevor Corson. To supplement our discussions, we’ll take a guided tour of the Ella Mullen Weckbaugh Tea House at the Gardens and walk the grounds to view Japanese inspired artwork on exhibit. Two possible field trips include meeting at the Esquire Theater to view the documentary Jiro Dreams of Sushi and a trip to Domo (a Japanese restaurant, garden and museum in central Denver).

Please contact us at 720-865-3570 or email us at library@botanicgardens.org with any questions about the book club series.