Page Turners Book Club

Welcome to the “Population Connection Page Turners” book club! Meetings to discuss books or long-form publications relevant to population issues will be held periodically throughout the year. Joining Population Connection Page Turners offers an opportunity to expand your knowledge and network with other Population Connection members and with Population Connection staff.

Although we encourage you to find these books at your local library or local, independent book store, they are also available to purchase on Amazon. Please reach out to engage@popconnect.org if you have any questions about the club or how to participate. We hope you’ll be able to join us!

*Please note that selection for book club does not constitute an endorsement of the ideas, themes, or theories within each book, and does not necessarily represent the views of Population Connection or its staff. All thoughts expressed belong to the authors of chosen books.*
The final Page Turners meeting of 2022 with a lively discussion on “The Ministry of the Future”

Upcoming Meeting

Without Children: The Long History of Not Being a Mother

By: Peggy O’Donnell Heffington

In her exploration of womanhood and motherhood, historian Peggy O’Donnell Heffington delves into the stories of women who have navigated the choice to have—or not have—children. Drawing on extensive research as well as personal experience, Heffington highlights the shared struggles of women across generations and how they deal with societal pressures, economic constraints, environmental concerns, and infertility—and emphasizes the importance of understanding this history to reframe current conversations around motherhood and the bonds between women.

Date: Thursday, May 9th
Time: 4:00 pm ET/1:00 pm PT

Register Here!

*We don’t record book club meetings, so tune in live, if you can, to catch the discussion! 

FAQs

Yes! Even if you aren’t a member of Population Connection, the book club is open to anyone interested in reading and discussing books that cover population-related issues. We welcome new members and encourage you to bring a friend!

Our book club meets bi-monthly for hour-long discussions.

To join our book club, register for the upcoming meeting through the blue “Register Here” button found above. Registering for a meeting automatically adds you to our Book Club email list so you will receive an invitation to all upcoming discussions. 

Our book club explores both fiction and non-fiction that grapples with population-related issues such as demography, climate change, health and human rights, and sustainable development. One memorable gathering even had us immersed in a sci-fi novel! You can check out the “Past Meetings” section below for a comprehensive list of the books we’ve discussed at previous meetings.

Participants will need to procure each book. We encourage book club participants to find the books at their local library or locally-owned bookstore. However, if that’s not possible or convenient, all books are available on Amazon or Audible for audio listening.

You do not have to finish the book to participate. We still encourage you to call in and share your thoughts on the portions of the book you did read, or just to listen in– the choice is up to you!

Your level of engagement is entirely up to you. You’re welcome to call in and just listen to the discussion. You don’t have to turn your camera on during the meeting either. We understand that everyone has different comfort levels, so feel free to participate with your camera off and muted. We’re happy to have you tuning in and listening! 

Yes! We welcome book suggestions from our members. After each meeting, we send a survey to vote on the next book we’ll discuss. You can also email us the title, author, and a brief book description you would like us to consider. We will review all suggestions and choose books based on their relevance and appeal to our members.

No, we do not record meetings to ensure the privacy of our attendees and encourage open and candid conversations.

Past Meetings

2023 Meetings

February

The Turnaway Study: Ten Years, a Thousand Women, and the Consequences of Having—or Being Denied—an Abortion – By Dr. Diana Greene Foster

May

Walking with Gorillas: The Journey of an African Wildlife Vet – By Dr. Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka

August

Earth for All: A Survival Guide for Humanity – By Sandrine Dixson-Decleve, Owen Gaffney, Jayati Ghosh, Jorgen Randers, Johan Rockstrom, and Per Espen Stoknes

November

Nomad Century: How Climate Migration Will Reshape Our World – By Gaia Vince

2022 Meetings

January

The Book of Hope – By Jane Goodall and Douglas Abrams

March

Saving Us: A Climate Scientist’s Case for Hope and Healing in a Divided World – By Katharine Hayhoe

June

8 Billion and Counting: How Sex, Death, and Migration Shape Our World – By Jennifer D. Sciubba

August

Doughnut Economics: Seven Ways to Think Like a 21st-Century Economist – By Kate Raworth

November

The Ministry for the Future – By Kim Stanley Robinson

2021 Meetings

March

One Billion Americans: The Case for Thinking Bigger – By Matthew Yglesias

May

Under a White Sky: The Nature of the Future – By Elizabeth Kolbert

July

Countdown: Our Last, Best Hope for a Future on Earth? – By Alan Weisman

September

The Human Tide: How Population Shaped the Modern World – By Paul Morland

November

The New Climate War – By Michael E. Mann