Heart and Soul
Book Chats
The Walking Book Club is good for the mind, body, and soul too!
Heart and Soul book chats are virtual gatherings that have a philanthropic aspect.
We pair authors or books with a humanitarian cause. Instead of bringing a bottle of wine or dessert to a book club gathering, we ask that you make a small donation (if able) to participate.
Together, we can make a difference.
Our Next Heart and Soul Book Chats:
Please join us in our next Heart and Soul Book Chat with Maggie Doyne, author of Between the Mountains and the Sky to benefit BlinkNow.
The Heart and Soul Book Chat will be held via Zoom on Thursday, February 9, 2023 07:30 PM PM EST
Please join us in our next Heart and Soul Book Chat with Sadeqa Johnson, author of The House of Eve to benefit BlinkNow.
The Heart and Soul Book Chat will be held via Zoom on Tuesday, March 14, 2023 at 7:00 PM EST
Subscribe to The Walking Book Club e-magazine to register:
This Winter/Spring 2023 digital magazine has 34 pages including audiobook extras for both group selections, Between the Mountains and Sky by Maggie Doyne and The House of Eve by Sadeqa Johnson.
Your subscription helps keep The Walking Book Club community viable and gives 50% to BlinkNow.
If you prefer to donate directly, please email Julie with a note that can be passed on to The Ripple Center to alert them of contribution.
Together we can make a difference.
Our Past Heart and Soul Book Chats included:
Jeanine Cummins, author, and Yareli Azrimedi, narrator, for American Dirt to benefit the International Rescue Committee
Lisa Wingate for Book of Lost Friends to benefit Feeding America & The Whitney Plantation Museum
Alka Joshi, author, and Ariyan Kassam, Deepa Samuel, narrators for The Secret Keeper of Jaipur to benefit Room to Read
Sally Hepworth, author, and Barrie Kreinik, narrator, for The Good Sister to benefit Autism Society
Sadeqa Johnson, author, Robin Miles, narrator, for The Yellow Wife to benefit The Sacred Ground Project
Catherine Gildiner for Good Morning Monster to benefit Covenant House
A book club like yours, that’s potentially diverse, can really promote positive change. Anything that gets people talking and listening outside their own bubble of reality is a really important thing right now, I think. So keep up the great work.”
– Jeanine Cummins, author, American Dirt
This is a time when so many people need connection and a bit of an escape from everyday strife, and you’re reaching out and providing both, plus a reason to get out and walk, another thing that helps us all keep on keeping on.”
– Lisa Wingate, author, The Book of Lost Friends
Connecting to issues through creative work is a fantastic way to engage and create solutions to themes dealt with in the work. Your choice of books and access to the authors is the key to expanding the possibilities and influence of your great idea.”
– Yareli Arizmendi, narrator, American Dirt
What participants have to say
“This was an amazing and insightful discussion! So glad I was able to join. Thank you Julie for setting this up and for all your do for The Walking Book Club.”
“Thank you for this great dialogue in the book chat. I have found it to be very thought-provoking.”
“I loved the book chat, the author, and the charity you chose Julie. I really appreciate you organizing these events!”
“What a wonderful hour! Fascinating and inspiring, thank you.”
“I had tears in my eyes throughout the call.”
“Amazing, enlightening, and inspiring dialogue! Thank you!”
About Julie Kaminski
Julie is the creator of numerous small group training curriculum including Fitness Plus and The Walking Book Club. She has thirty years’ experience working in private practice, major corporations, clubs, and health centers.
Julie’s areas of expertise include: group counseling, dynamic group instruction, creative solutions and project management. Extensive experience in designing custom programs for individuals and groups. Knowledgeable in all areas of wellness, including fitness, health, nutrition, eating behaviors, stress management and spiritual fulfillment. Coaching skills include the application of motivational interviewing, goal setting theory, and appreciative inquiry. She completed University of Pennsylvania’s Foundations of Positive Psychology and is the author of The Flourishing Home.