Not your average book club…
Join us for the Alcove Book Club, a bi-monthly book club where curiosity is welcome and conversation is encouraged!
Led by historian Amy Schneidhorst Ph.D, the Alcove Book Club meets every other month for an informal discussion of the selected book. Whether you’ve read every page or just a few, you’re warmly invited to join us in The Haven for thoughtful, community-rooted conversation. Leave with a new idea, a new connection, or maybe a new favorite book!
This February, we're reading Calling In, How to Start Making Change with Those You'd Rather Cancel by Loretta Ross.
"Calling In is at once a handbook, a manifesto, and a memoir—because the power of Loretta Ross’s message comes from who she is and what she’s lived through. She’s a Black woman who’s deprogrammed white supremacists, a survivor who’s taught convicted rapists the principles of feminism. With stories from her five remarkable decades in activism, she vividly illustrates why calling people in—inviting them into conversation instead of conflict by focusing on your shared values over a desire for punishment—is the more strategic choice if you want to make real change. And she shows you how to do so, whether in the workplace, on a college campus, or in your living room.
Courageous, awe-inspiring, and blisteringly authentic, Calling In is a practical new solution from one of our country’s most extraordinary change-makers—one anyone can learn to use to transform frustrating and divisive conflicts that stand in the way of real connection with the people in your life."
Can't make it to this meeting? No worries! You can join us for future book club sessions:
April 4th, 2026 - Wildfire Days by Kelly Ramsey
June 6th, 2026 - Marsha: The Joy and Defiance of Marsha P. Johnson by Tourmaline
August 8th, 2026 - Love Queenie by Marukh Seh
October 10th, 2026 - Mango and Peppercorns by Tung Nguyen
December 12th, 2026 - Joy Goddess by A'lelia Bundles
Questions? Email Khamry at khamry.varfley@alcoveri.org
Meet Your Facilitator!
Amy Schneidhorst, Ph.D (she/her) has taught history, gender and women's studies, and peace and nonviolence theory and methods in universities and colleges throughout the United States.
Her research and writing on women's leadership in 1960’s social movements for peace and social justice has enabled her to engage in stimulating and critical discussions about how identity, interpersonal relationships, and political values inspire women to work for social change in their communities. And, in the process, carve out creative and innovative spaces to repair communities and practice leadership locally and internationally.
“The Alcove book club allows us to draw on the diverse collective wisdom and experience of the group. Memoir challenges us as readers to take the time and space to reflect and reevaluate our own stories and choices: what we would like to retain from our pasts and how we would like to re-envision ourselves moving forward more powerfully and purposefully in our personal lives and our communities.”
The Alcove is grateful to our community of members and supporters whose generosity makes free, public programs like this one possible. Together, we create space to thrive.