Wed, Jun 03
|Zoom
Reading Club: 'Foreign Fruit' by Katie Goh
Part memoir, part history of the orange, Foreign Fruit examines themes of identity, migration and belonging. Through the orange’s journey across the globe, the author raises questions about colonialism, adaptation, and what it means to inhabit the space between cultures.
Horario
Jun 03, 2026, 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM EDT
Zoom
About the event
The Common Threads Book Club is a community for readers who believe that stories help us understand the delicate ties that connect our lives. In June, we explore Foreign Fruit: A Personal History of the Orange by Katie Goh, a book where the author uses botanical facts –along with oranges’ colonial entanglements and recent commercialization into an interchangeable consumer product– to write a history of the citrus fruit that is also a nuanced exploration of origin, ethnicity, and identity.
Sessions overview
Session 1: Wed., June 3
We will discuss the first third of the book (so no need to read everything for the very first session!). This will cover themes of identity, belonging, and place.
Session 2: Wed., June 10
The second section will cover the middle third of the book. We will continue to build on themes from the first session, considering whether these themes connect to new parts of the book and our own lives.
Session 3: Wed., June 17
We will wrap up by discussing the final section of the book and reflecting on the story as a whole. We’ll also announce the title for the next session of the book club, hoping to see familiar faces in the next round.
Who is it for?
Common Threads is for those who want to feel more deeply connected to themselves, to others, and to the human experience in general. It's ideal for those who value stories that reveal the invisible threads that bind people, communities, and everyday life together. If you're looking for a space where the conversation goes beyond the headlines and focuses on how lives intertwine, heal, and grow together, you'll feel right at home here.
This online initiative is open to everyone, including older adults, journalists, survivors of violence, peacebuilders, peace activists, leaders, students, conflict mediators, and anyone who loves reading.
Facilitator
Angie Garvey, PhD in Politics and International Relations. She returns to the Magnolia Foundation as the facilitator for the Common Threads Book Club. Previously, she taught courses on conflict analysis and humanitarian security for peace with Magnolia and is so excited to continue working with the foundation in this new format.
Convert to Your Local Currency
Estimated value for reference only.
The charge will be issued in Colombian pesos.