Meristem Book Club

The Meristem Book Club is named after the feminist/LGBTQ+ bookstore some of you will remember on Cooper just down the street from the Center (1990-1998). Meristem cells are the point of new growth in plants — like stem cells in humans. The book club is named after the bookstore in honor of our past and with hope for our future.

The purpose of the book club is to read and explore written works by women and LGBT authors, and to foster a community of support with like-minded women. Membership is open to women (LBT and straight-identified) in the Memphis area who want to read and discuss books by women and LGBT authors.

Basic Ground Rules

    • Every woman is entitled to their own perspective and opinions.
    • Every woman’s contributions to the club are of value.
    • Every woman will respect the right of others to their opinions, even if they do not agree with them.
    • Every woman will be allowed time to talk or express their thoughts and opinions.
    • The club may decide on ways to ensure that all members have an opportunity to participate – i.e., rotation, talking stick, timekeeper, etc.
    • Each woman is responsible for reading (at least part of) the agreed-upon book and for contributing to the discussion of the book.
    • Each woman is responsible for contributing to positive group dynamics in the club.

     

    Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Meristem Book Club is now meeting via Zoom on the 2nd Sunday of every month at 2:00p.

    For more information about the book club and to get the Zoom meeting link, email us

    Book Schedule for 2023

    AUGUST:

    The Swimmers

    by Julie Otsuka

    SEPTEMBER:

    Finding Me

    by Viola Davis

    OCTOBER:

    While Justice Sleeps

    by Stacy Abrams

    NOTE: Book Club will be held on October 15th this month!

    Past Readings of Meristem Book Club Include:

    Wild Nights with Emily

    Circling the Sun

    by Paula McClain

    Make Trouble

    by Cecile Richards

    Small Great Things

    by Jodi Picoult

    Wild Nights with Emily

    Circling the Sun

    by Paula McClain

    Make Trouble

    by Cecile Richards

    Small Great Things

    by Jodi Picoult

    Eloquent Rage

    by Brittney Cooper

    If Beale Street Could Talk

    by James Baldwin

    Becoming

    by Michelle Obama

    Fat Angie: Rebel Girl Revolution

    by e.E. Charlton-Trujillo

    Unsheltered

    by Barbara Kingsolver

    Educated

    by Tara Westover

    White Houses

    by Amy Bloom

    That Kind of Mother

    by Rumaan Alam