Biosphere Book Club – Wild Dark Shore
reflecting on climate vis-à-vis the health of human and environmental communities
“Wild Dark Shore is a thrilling page-turner, but all the action and suspense disguise something deeper: a beautiful meditation on love, loss and resilience in the face of climate change.”
―NPR
“[A] terrific thriller…McConaghy keeps readers guessing…McConaghy writes about both nature and human frailty with eloquent generosity. Readers won’t want to leave behind the imagined world of pain and beauty that McConaghy has conjured.”
―Kirkus (starred review)
Register HERE.
For the September session, we are choosing a work of fiction, Wild Dark Shore, by Charlotte McConaghy. McConaghy is an Australian writer who has written two other acclaimed novels, Migrations (where Arctic Tern migration is a theme) and Once There Were Wolves (a mystery set in Scotland where a biologist reintroduces wolves in a rewilding commitment). Her latest work is set on an island in the Antarctic Sea, where a family of caretakers watches over a seed bank after all the scientists are recalled due to storm damage to their research base.
Initially, there was a bit of reluctance to choose this title, because grief is such a big element in the story. In our contemporary world, shouldn’t a book club give us a break from all the dismay?! However, besides winning many awards, this book has been highly recommended by family and friends. Perhaps learning to lament is also tied to celebrating the amazing wonder of both human life and the natural world. So together we will take on the tough elements of grief and danger while uncovering the beauty and the caring.
For the September session, facilitator Karen again invites you to an in-person meal version of the Biosphere Book Club. We might start with a hot cider outside, but most of the meeting will be inside over a simple meal. The address will be sent when you register. As always, it’s great when you can read the book. (We are requesting that the Acton Memorial Library hold copies for us.) But we understand that life is crazy so, if you do not have the chance to tackle the text, please join us anyhow. A guide with key quotes will be sent out the weekend before we meet.
Register HERE.
Wild Dark Shore is a New York Times best-selling book that has been nominated for multiple awards, including the following.
- Winner of the Indie Book Awards: Book Of The Year 2026
- Fiction Category Winner, Indie Book Awards 2026
- Winner, Book Of The Month ‘Lolly’ Award for Book Of The Year 2025
- Shortlisted for The Edgar Award 2026
- Shortlisted for the Aspen Words Literary Prize 2026
- Shortlisted for the Audie Awards: Audiobook Of The Year 2026
The Biosphere Book Club is an endeavor of EnergizeActon.org. EnergizeActon.org is a joint effort of the Acton Climate Coalition and the Town of Acton Sustainability Office. Interested in lending a skill? Contact us at Info@energizeacton.org. We meet the 1st Wednesday of each month.