Queer Ecologies Book Club Reads -- Queer Ducks (and Other Animals) by Eliot Schrefer
Schedule
Thu, 08 Jan, 2026 at 07:00 pm
UTC-05:00Location
184 S. Candler St. , Decatur, GA, United States, Georgia 30030 | Decatur, GA
Charis has a new book club! Beginning in January, we are excited to bring y'all The Queer Ecologies Book Club with Charis bookseller & environmentalist extraordinaire, Yarrow Koning at the helm! This book club is scheduled to go from January - June, but may become a permanent book club depending on interest and participation. This group will meet regularly in-person at Charis on the first Thursday of each month at 7pm.
About the book club:
Queer Ecologies is an emerging field that illuminates queerness in the natural world. Through a mix of non-fiction, speculative fiction, and poetry, the Queer Ecologies Book Club introduces readers to the queer, non-binary, and downright bizarre beings found all over planet Earth. Simultaneously, we consider what it means to live queerly on and practice care for this rapidly transforming planet we call home. The Queer Ecologies Book Club centers queer, trans, and gender expansive people, ideas, experiences, and ways of being, but is open to all community members. Participants are encouraged to read the month’s book before our gatherings. However, doing so is not required - come as you are, regardless of how much you’ve read! Participants are expected to treat each other with respect in all group conversations and interactions.
About our January book:
Queer Ducks (and Other Animals): The Natural World of Animal Sexuality by Eliot Schrefer
This groundbreaking illustrated YA nonfiction title from two-time National Book Award finalist and New York Times bestselling author Eliot Schrefer is a well-researched and teen-friendly exploration of the gamut of queer behaviors observed in animals.
A quiet revolution has been underway in recent years, with study after study revealing substantial same-sex sexual behavior in animals. Join celebrated author Eliot Schrefer on an exploration of queer behavior in the animal world—from albatrosses to bonobos to clownfish to doodlebugs.
In sharp and witty prose—aided by humorous comics from artist Jules Zuckerberg—Schrefer uses science, history, anthropology, and sociology to illustrate the diversity of sexual behavior in the animal world. Interviews with researchers in the field offer additional insights for readers and aspiring scientists.
Queer behavior in animals is as diverse and complex—and as natural—as it is in our own species. It doesn’t set us apart from animals—it bonds us even closer to our animal selves.
Upcoming Books:
- February: Fearless, Sleepless, Deathless: What Fungi Taught Me about Nourishment, Poison, Ecology, Hidden Histories, Zombies, and Black Survival by Maria Pinto
- March: Forest Euphoria: The Abounding Queerness of Nature by Patricia Ononiwu Kaishian
- April: Unfurl: Survivals, Sorrows, and Dreaming by Eli Clare
- May: What A Fish Looks Like by Syr Hayati Beker
- June: Love After the End: An Anthology of Two-Spirit and Indiqueer Speculative Fiction edited by Joshua Whitehead
Event guidelines:
- All attendees must wear a face mask.
- We will begin seating people at 6:45 PM ET.
- As a reminder: If you are not feeling well, please do not come to the event.
If you have any questions regarding these guidelines or to request specific accessibility accommodations, please contact [email protected] or call the store at 404-524-0304
The event is free and open to all people, but we encourage and appreciate a donation of $5-20 in support of the work of Charis Circle, our programming non-profit. Donate online at www.chariscircle.org/donate or in person at the event.
By attending our event you agree to our Code of Conduct: Our event seeks to provide a harassment-free experience for everyone, regardless of gender, gender identity and expression, age, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, ethnicity, religion (or lack thereof), class, or technology choices. We do not tolerate harassment in any form. Unsolicited sexual language and imagery are not appropriate. Anyone violating these rules will be expelled from this event and all future events at the discretion of the organizers. Please report all harassment to [email protected] immediately.
Where is it happening?
184 S. Candler St. , Decatur, GA, United States, Georgia 30030
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