Gig Harbor Literary Society

Join the Gig Harbor Literary Society for our monthly book discussion—an inviting evening of thoughtful conversation, fresh perspectives, and a shared love of reading. Whether you’ve finished the book cover to cover or are simply curious to listen in, all are welcome. Come connect with fellow readers, explore new ideas, and enjoy the kind of lively dialogue that makes literature come alive. The Serviceberry by Robin Wall Kimmerer is an essay exploring an alternative to capitalism, using the serviceberry tree as a model for an economy of abundance, gratitude, and reciprocity, contrasting it with modern market systems based on scarcity and accumulation. Kimmerer argues for a gift economy where wealth is defined by relationships and generosity, not hoarding, drawing on Indigenous wisdom and ecological examples like the tree sharing its berries with birds, ensuring mutual survival. It encourages rethinking consumption and fostering a culture of responsible stewardship, where resources are shared gifts, not commodities.