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Fox and I: An Uncommon Friendship by Catherine Raven

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Life Stories Book Club

"Fox and I" by Catherine Raven
2025-08-21 18:30:00 2025-08-21 19:30:00 America/New_York Life Stories Book Club Discuss memoirs and biographies with other book lovers at the Burke Branch Library! Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library - Meeting Room

Thursday, August 21
6:30pm - 7:30pm

Add to Calendar 2025-08-21 18:30:00 2025-08-21 19:30:00 America/New_York Life Stories Book Club Discuss memoirs and biographies with other book lovers at the Burke Branch Library! Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library - Meeting Room

Discuss memoirs and biographies with other book lovers at the Burke Branch Library!

Life Stories Book Club enjoys memoirs of everyone from the anonymous to the famous with discussions every third Thursday of the month. Bring along your thoughts or even just your listening ears to indulge in some bookish conversation around our latest selection. Reading crafters are welcome to bring their works in progress.

This month, join us to discuss "Fox And I: An Uncommon Friendship" by Catherine Raven. Print and digital copies available to place on hold here.

Want a reminder? Please register to receive an email ahead of the event. Note: Registration is not required.

Contact Abby at ahargreaves@alexlibraryva.org for more information.

About the Book:

When Catherine Raven finished her PhD in biology, she built herself a tiny cottage on an isolated plot of land in Montana. She was as emotionally isolated as she was physically, but she viewed the house as a way station, a temporary rest stop where she could gather her nerves and fill out applications for what she hoped would be a real job that would help her fit into society. In the meantime, she taught remotely and led field classes in nearby Yellowstone National Park.

Then one day she realized that a mangy-looking fox was showing up on her property every afternoon at 4:15 p.m. She had never had a regular visitor before. How do you even talk to a fox? She brought out her camping chair, sat as close to him as she dared, and began reading to him from The Little Prince. Her scientific training had taught her not to anthropomorphize animals, yet as she grew to know him, his personality revealed itself and they became friends.

From the fox, Catherine learned the single most important thing about loneliness: we are never alone when we are connected to the natural world. Friends, however, cannot save each other from the uncontained forces of nature.

Fox and I is a poignant and remarkable tale of friendship, growth, and coping with inevitable loss—and of how that loss can be transformed into meaning. It is both a timely tale of solitude and belonging as well as a timeless story of one woman whose immersion in the natural world will change the way we view our surroundings—each tree, weed, flower, stone, or fox.

AGE GROUP: | Seniors | Adults |

EVENT TYPE: | Book Discussion Groups |

TAGS: | Book discussion groups | Biographies |

Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library
ahargreaves@alexlibraryva.org
Phone: 703.746.1704
Fax: 703.746.1775
Branch manager
Abby Hargreaves
Hours
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Mon, Jul 06 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Tue, Jul 07 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Wed, Jul 08 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Thu, Jul 09 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Fri, Jul 10 10:00AM to 5:00PM
Sat, Jul 11 10:00AM to 5:00PM
Sun, Jul 12 1:00PM to 5:00PM
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  • Metrobus: F20
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Senior Bingo
Mon, Jul 13, 10:30am - 12:00pm
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Join us to socialize and engage your mind with a game of bingo! Enjoy snacks, prizes, and fun while you're here. Registration is required.
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Mon, Jul 13, 1:00pm - 3:00pm
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English practice for English language learners. No registration is needed. Class is held in the Burke Branch Meeting Room.
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Mon, Jul 13, 5:00pm - 7:00pm
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Join Dungeon Master Jacob on an epic adventure where you call the shots and leave fate up to the dice.
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Tue, Jul 14, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
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Wed, Jul 15, 10:30am - 12:30pm
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Enjoy weekly sessions with other fiber artists. Bring and share your projects, and see others. Quilting tutorials will be provided on the first Wednesday of every month. No registration is required.
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Join us to learn the basic line dance steps to great Oldies and Motown music. This is a great class for beginners. Bring a friend or come alone. Please wear comfortable shoes!
Line Dancing 201
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Viva Line Dancing: Join our intermediate level of line dancing to improve flexibility and enhance memory. We work the dance floors! This class is not intended for beginners.
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Fri, Jul 17, 10:15am - 11:15am
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We sing, play, dance, and rhyme all while promoting your baby’s development and literacy skills. For ages 0-14 months.
English Language Learning (ELL)
Mon, Jul 20, 1:00pm - 3:00pm
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English practice for English language learners. No registration is needed. Class is held in the Burke Branch Meeting Room.
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Mon, Jul 20, 3:30pm - 4:30pm
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Family Storytime - Martes de niños
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Baby and Toddler Play Date
Tue, Jul 21, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
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Join us for a special uninterrupted playtime with your child and meet other caregivers. Discover how play and learning go hand-in-hand. (ages 0-3).
Technología y Entrenamiento Profesional - Sesiones de español
Tue, Jul 21, 6:00pm - 8:00pm
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¡Ven y da el primer paso hacia un futuro mejor! Aprende habilidades de computación, crea tu hoja de vida y prepárate para tu entrevista de trabajo.Register
Stitcher's Space - Sew, quilt, knit, crochet, embroider! Every Wednesday!
Wed, Jul 22, 10:30am - 12:30pm
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Enjoy weekly sessions with other fiber artists. Bring and share your projects, and see others. Quilting tutorials will be provided on the first Wednesday of every month. No registration is required.
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Wed, Jul 22, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
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Unearth your love for science in this fun and interactive S.T.E.M. show for the whole family.
Line Dancing 101
Thu, Jul 23, 11:00am - 12:00pm
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Join us to learn the basic line dance steps to great Oldies and Motown music. This is a great class for beginners. Bring a friend or come alone. Please wear comfortable shoes!
Line Dancing 201
Thu, Jul 23, 12:00pm - 1:00pm
Meeting Room
Viva Line Dancing: Join our intermediate level of line dancing to improve flexibility and enhance memory. We work the dance floors! This class is not intended for beginners.
Continuum of Care Panel
Thu, Jul 23, 2:00pm - 3:30pm
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Please join us to find out how to deliver a coordinated continuum of care. This program is co-sponsored by Goodwin Living At Home.
Technology & Career Readiness - English Sessions
Thu, Jul 23, 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Meeting Room
Come and take the first step to a better future! Learn computer skills, create your resume, and prepare for your job interview.Register
Baby Storytime
Fri, Jul 24, 10:15am - 11:15am
Meeting Room
We sing, play, dance, and rhyme all while promoting your baby’s development and literacy skills. For ages 0-14 months.
Crafty Kid Series
Fri, Jul 24, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
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Join us one Saturday a month to get crafty! Each month is a new fun craft, followed by open play time and bubbles!
Senior Bingo
Mon, Jul 27, 10:30am - 12:00pm
Meeting Room
Join us to socialize and engage your mind with a game of bingo! Enjoy snacks, prizes, and fun while you're here. Registration is required.
English Language Learning (ELL)
Mon, Jul 27, 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Meeting Room
English practice for English language learners. No registration is needed. Class is held in the Burke Branch Meeting Room.
Dungeons & Dragons - at Burke Branch Library
Mon, Jul 27, 5:00pm - 7:00pm
Meeting Room
Join Dungeon Master Jacob on an epic adventure where you call the shots and leave fate up to the dice.
This event is full
Family Storytime - Martes de niños
Tue, Jul 28, 10:15am - 11:15am
Meeting Room
Join us for a fun-filled hour of stories, music, and movement for ages 0-5!
Baby and Toddler Play Date
Tue, Jul 28, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Meeting Room
Join us for a special uninterrupted playtime with your child and meet other caregivers. Discover how play and learning go hand-in-hand. (ages 0-3).
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Tue, Jul 28, 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Meeting Room
¡Ven y da el primer paso hacia un futuro mejor! Aprende habilidades de computación, crea tu hoja de vida y prepárate para tu entrevista de trabajo.Register
Stitcher's Space - Sew, quilt, knit, crochet, embroider! Every Wednesday!
Wed, Jul 29, 10:30am - 12:30pm
Meeting Room
Enjoy weekly sessions with other fiber artists. Bring and share your projects, and see others. Quilting tutorials will be provided on the first Wednesday of every month. No registration is required.
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Wed, Jul 29, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
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Thu, Jul 30, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Meeting Room
Join us to learn the basic line dance steps to great Oldies and Motown music. This is a great class for beginners. Bring a friend or come alone. Please wear comfortable shoes!
Line Dancing 201
Thu, Jul 30, 12:00pm - 1:00pm
Meeting Room
Viva Line Dancing: Join our intermediate level of line dancing to improve flexibility and enhance memory. We work the dance floors! This class is not intended for beginners.
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Thu, Jul 30, 2:00pm - 5:00pm
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Technology & Career Readiness - English Sessions
Thu, Jul 30, 6:00pm - 8:00pm
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