Book club on the creek: A guided literary nature experience | Garden Party Books
Join Garden Party Books and Damselfly Forest Therapy for a guided literary nature walk inspired by Robin Wall Kimmerer’s beloved book, “Braiding Sweetgrass.”
Through sensory invitations, selected readings, and quiet moments of reflection along Cascade Creek, we’ll explore themes of reciprocity, gratitude, attention, and belonging—not only through conversation, but through direct experience with the living world around us.
After returning to Garden Party Books, we’ll gather for tea, light snacks, and an informal discussion of the book and our experience together.
No prior forest therapy experience is required. Reading “Braiding Sweetgrass” is encouraged but also not required.
This experience is guided by Nicole Brudos Ferrara, a certified forest therapy guide with a background in English literature and writing. By combining literary reflection with nature connection practices, she creates opportunities to engage with books in a deeper and more embodied way.
Many people report feeling calm, grounded, and refreshed after a forest therapy experience. If this sounds like something your nervous system could use right now, you are warmly invited to join us.
“Paying attention is a form of reciprocity with the living world, receiving the gifts with open eyes and open heart.” — Robin Wall Kimmerer
This intimate experience is limited to 8 people to allow ample space for reflection, conversation, and personal attention.
Appropriate for ages 16 and older. Participants under 18 must attend with an adult.
Registration closes 48 hours before the event.
Why combine literature and forest therapy?
Robin Wall Kimmerer’s writing invites us to pay closer attention to our relationship with the living world. During this experience, we’ll move beyond simply talking about the book and explore its themes through direct sensory engagement with nature. This allows the landscape itself to become part of the conversation.
What to expect
Forest therapy (sometimes called forest bathing) is not a hike or a workout. It’s a slow, guided experience designed to help you reconnect with nature through your senses and the subtle rhythms of the season.
The experience will include:
-A brief welcome and introduction at Garden Party Books
-A short walk to the Cascade Creek trail
-Guided sensory invitations to connect with the urban forest
-Selected passages from “Braiding Sweetgrass” woven throughout the experience
-Optional reflection and sharing
-A short walk back to Garden Party for tea and light snacks and conversation exploring the book’s themes and our experiences in nature
No hiking experience or special equipment is required—just comfortable walking shoes and curiosity.