Consumption Book Club
A hands-on culinary and literary event, making sourdough pretzels and discussing fermentation in the context of Jenny Hval’s twisted romance, Paradise Rot.
There is something eating at all of us. Whether it be our ideas, our obsessions, our cravings, our hunger—we are all looking to feed that which gives our life flavor. “Consumer culture” gives us quick-fixes that leave us always wanting more, but lack the staying power that comes from really connecting to that which we consume. We are overwhelmed with opportunities to spur our hunger, but what does it take to really be fed?
This is an event series surrounding books that explores topics of consumption—what we consume, what we are consumed by, and what consumes us.
This session pairs a guided sourdough pretzel-making workshop with an open group discussion of Paradise Rot, Jenny Hval’s twisted novella of intimacy and decomposition. Our theme is “Consumed by You,” and we’ll discuss the crushes that can consume us, the fine line between disgust and pleasure, the sickly sweet obsession that comes with the honeymoon phase, and how to nurture and mature those feelings instead of letting them go to rot.
Participants will…
Learn how to proof, shape, and bake your own sourdough pretzels (and take some home!)
Snack on a fermented spread of cheese, pickles, beer, and kombucha
Engage in guided discussion on Paradise Rot—no prior reading required
Receive a printed zine of recipes, writing, and artwork inspired by the themes.
Through these events, we help shape counter-consumer-culture, where instead of feeling driven towards buying into short lived products and experiences in order to feel connected to each other, we intentionally spend our time and attention towards consuming that which actually feeds us: connecting with our community, expanding our thoughts, and doing both over delicious, thoughtful, and satiating meals.