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Image for event: Book Club: Why Fish Don't Exist by Lulu Miller
Please contact the library to register for this event

Book Club: Why Fish Don't Exist by Lulu Miller

2025-08-05 18:00:00 2025-08-05 19:30:00 America/Denver Book Club: Why Fish Don't Exist by Lulu Miller Register at the reference desk, then join us to discuss the book at the library. A free book is available for the first 15 people who register and attend!  Durango Public Library - Room 3

Tuesday, August 05
6:00pm - 7:30pm

Add to Calendar 2025-08-05 18:00:00 2025-08-05 19:30:00 America/Denver Book Club: Why Fish Don't Exist by Lulu Miller Register at the reference desk, then join us to discuss the book at the library. A free book is available for the first 15 people who register and attend!  Durango Public Library - Room 3

Register at the reference desk, then join us to discuss the book at the library. A free book is available for the first 15 people who register and attend! 

Books available six weeks before book club date.

About the book:

"A wondrous debut from an extraordinary new voice in nonfiction, Why Fish Don’t Exist is a dark and astonishing tale of love, chaos, scientific obsession, and—possibly—even murder.

David Starr Jordan was a taxonomist, a man possessed with bringing order to the natural world. In time, he would be credited with discovering nearly a fifth of the fish known to humans in his day. But the more of the hidden blueprint of life he uncovered, the harder the universe seemed to try to thwart him. His specimen collections were demolished by lightning, by fire, and eventually by the 1906 San Francisco earthquake—which sent more than a thousand of his discoveries, housed in fragile glass jars, plummeting to the floor. In an instant, his life’s work was shattered.

Many might have given up, given in to despair. But Jordan? He surveyed the wreckage at his feet, found the first fish he recognized, and confidently began to rebuild his collection. And this time, he introduced one clever innovation that he believed would at last protect his work against the chaos of the world.

When NPR reporter Lulu Miller first heard this anecdote in passing, she took Jordan for a fool—a cautionary tale in hubris, or denial. But as her own life slowly unraveled, she began to wonder about him. Perhaps instead he was a model for how to go on when all seemed lost. What she would unearth about his life would transform her understanding of history, morality, and the world beneath her feet.

Part biography, part memoir, part scientific adventure, Why Fish Don’t Exist reads like a fable about how to persevere in a world where chaos will always prevail."

AGE GROUP: | Adults |

EVENT TYPE: | More Fun Stuff! | Book Talks |

TAGS: | |

Durango Public Library


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Mon, Oct 20 9:30AM to 6:00PM
Tue, Oct 21 9:30AM to 6:00PM
Wed, Oct 22 9:30AM to 6:00PM
Thu, Oct 23 10:00AM to 6:00PM
Fri, Oct 24 9:30AM to 5:30PM
Sat, Oct 25 9:30AM to 5:00PM
Sun, Oct 26 Closed

About the Library

Overlooking the Animas River, the Durango Public Library and Botanical Gardens is one of the most popular gathering spots in our community.

Upcoming Events

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Mon, Oct 27, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Durango Public Library - Room 1&2 Combined
Learn how to reduce human-wildlife conflict through a four-part lecture series from Colorado Parks and Wildlife. All programs run 6-7:30pm.

Tue, Oct 28, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Durango Public Library - Room 2
Drop-in chess games in a friendly environment.

Cancelled
Wed, Oct 29, 11:00am - 11:30am
Durango Public Library
Join us for stories, songs, rhymes, & other fun activities! Perfect for children ages 3+.

Wed, Oct 29, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Durango Public Library - Room 2
A special Halloween themed storytime designed for ages 3+.

Wed, Oct 29, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Durango Public Library - Teen Area
Want to make a fun space for you and your friends? Join the Teen Advisory Group! Help the library meet your needs and interests, gain valuable experience, meet new friends, and hang out!

Thu, Oct 30, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Durango Public Library - Room 2
A special Halloween themed Toddler Time designed for ages 1-2.

Cancelled
Thu, Oct 30, 11:00am - 11:30am
Durango Public Library
Join us for stories, songs, rhymes, & other fun activities! Perfect for children ages 1-2.

Thu, Oct 30, 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Durango Public Library - Room 2
Enjoy gaming in the library with a variety of games!

Fri, Oct 31, 11:00am - 11:30am
Durango Public Library - Storytime Room
Baby Time is tailored for babies from birth-12 months together with their favorite adult!

Fri, Oct 31, 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Durango Public Library - Room 1&2 Combined
Friday afternoons are all about having fun building, playing, exploring, and creating together!

Sat, Nov 01, 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Durango Public Library - Room 1&2 Combined
In partnership with the Durango School District Native American Parental Advisory Committee

Tue, Nov 04, 10:00am - 10:45am
Santa Rita Park
Join us for Storytime and nature journaling!

Tue, Nov 04, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Durango Public Library - Room 2
Drop-in chess games in a friendly environment.

Tue, Nov 04, 5:30pm - 6:30pm
Durango Public Library - Room 1
Join us to meet the artists participating in our first community art show!

Tue, Nov 04, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Durango Public Library - Room 3
Register at the reference desk, then join us to discuss the book at the library. A free book is available for the first 15 people who register and attend! 
Please contact the library to register for this event.

Wed, Nov 05, 11:00am - 11:30am
Durango Public Library - Storytime Room
Join us for stories, songs, rhymes, & other fun activities! Perfect for children ages 3+.

Wed, Nov 05, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Durango Public Library - Teen Area
Want to make a fun space for you and your friends? Join the Teen Advisory Group! Help the library meet your needs and interests, gain valuable experience, meet new friends, and hang out!

Wed, Nov 05, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Durango Hive - 1175 Camino Del Rio
Write and create original works with us!

Thu, Nov 06, 11:00am - 11:30am
Durango Public Library - Storytime Room
Join us for stories, songs, rhymes, & other fun activities! Perfect for children ages 1-2.

Thu, Nov 06, 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Durango Public Library
Enjoy gaming in the library with a variety of games!

Thu, Nov 06, 5:30pm - 6:30pm
Durango Public Library - Room 3
Come speak Spanish in an informal setting. All language levels welcome! Ven a hablar español en un ambiente informal. ¡Abierto a todas las habilidades!

Fri, Nov 07, 9:30am - 4:00pm
Durango Public Library - Room 1&2 Combined
FOL Book Sale

Fri, Nov 07, 11:00am - 11:30am
Durango Public Library - Storytime Room
Baby Time is tailored for babies from birth-12 months together with their favorite adult!

Fri, Nov 07, 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Durango Public Library - Storytime Room
Friday afternoons are all about having fun building, playing, exploring, and creating together!

Sat, Nov 08, 9:30am - 4:00pm
Durango Public Library - Room 1&2 Combined
FOL Book Sale

Sat, Nov 08, 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Durango Public Library - Room 3
Calling knitters, crocheters, and fiber artists of all ages and levels!

Mon, Nov 10, 4:30pm - 5:30pm
Reading Room
Climate Cafés are a space to share thoughts and feelings about the climate crisis in community.

Tue, Nov 11, All day
Durango Public Library
Library is closed for Veterans Day.

Cancelled
Tue, Nov 11, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Durango Public Library
Drop-in chess games in a friendly environment.

Wed, Nov 12, 11:00am - 11:30am
Durango Public Library - Storytime Room
Join us for stories, songs, rhymes, & other fun activities! Perfect for children ages 3+.

Wed, Nov 12, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Durango Public Library - Teen Area
Want to make a fun space for you and your friends? Join the Teen Advisory Group! Help the library meet your needs and interests, gain valuable experience, meet new friends, and hang out!

Wed, Nov 12, 6:15pm - 7:45pm
Durango Public Library - Room 1
A new topic every month!

Thu, Nov 13, 11:00am - 11:30am
Durango Public Library - Storytime Room
Join us for stories, songs, rhymes, & other fun activities! Perfect for children ages 1-2.

Thu, Nov 13, 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Durango Public Library - Room 2
Enjoy gaming in the library with a variety of games!

Thu, Nov 13, 4:30pm - 5:30pm
Durango Public Library - Room 1
Come create artistic holiday and greeting cards, incorporating varied techniques. | Crea cartas artísticas de felicitación y cartas para los días festivos con diversas técnicas.

Thu, Nov 13, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Durango Public Library - Room 2
Join Indigenous artist Yolanda LaMone (Navajo, Hopi, Zuni) for an inspiring evening of art, culture, and creativity.

Fri, Nov 14, 11:00am - 11:30am
Durango Public Library - Storytime Room
Baby Time is tailored for babies from birth-12 months together with their favorite adult!

Fri, Nov 14, 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Durango Public Library - Room 1&2 Combined
Friday afternoons are all about having fun building, playing, exploring, and creating together!

Sat, Nov 15, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Durango Public Library - Room 1&2 Combined
Let's make music!

Sat, Nov 15, 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Durango Public Library - Room 3
Join us for an hour of dedicated reading. Socialize after, or not!

Tue, Nov 18, 11:00am - 11:30am
Durango Public Library - Storytime Room
Presented by the Early Childhood Council of La Plata County.

Tue, Nov 18, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Durango Public Library - Room 1&2 Combined
Let's get together and cook a potluck of recipes from our chosen cookbook!

Wed, Nov 19, 11:00am - 11:30am
Durango Public Library - Storytime Room
Join us for stories, songs, rhymes, & other fun activities! Perfect for children ages 3+.

Wed, Nov 19, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Durango Public Library - Teen Area
Want to make a fun space for you and your friends? Join the Teen Advisory Group! Help the library meet your needs and interests, gain valuable experience, meet new friends, and hang out!

Wed, Nov 19, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Durango Hive - 1175 Camino Del Rio
Write and create original works with us!

Wed, Nov 19, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Durango Public Library - Room 2
Holidays gifts shouldn't break the bank. If you're looking for practical and economical gift ideas, then this is the class you've BEAN waiting for!

Thu, Nov 20, 11:00am - 11:30am
Durango Public Library - Storytime Room
Join us for stories, songs, rhymes, & other fun activities! Perfect for children ages 1-2.

Thu, Nov 20, 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Durango Public Library - Room 2
Enjoy gaming in the library with a variety of games!

Thu, Nov 20, 5:30pm - 6:30pm
Durango Public Library - Lobby
Come speak Spanish in an informal setting. All language levels welcome! Ven a hablar español en un ambiente informal. ¡Abierto a todas las habilidades!

Cancelled
Thu, Nov 20, 5:30pm - 7:00pm
Durango Public Library
Lleva a la familia a disfrutar de cuentos y canciones bilingües en español e inglés. Bring the family for stories and songs in Spanish and English!

Thu, Nov 20, 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Durango Public Library - Room 1&2 Combined
When was the last time that you refreshed your avalanche skills?

Fri, Nov 21, 11:00am - 11:30am
Durango Public Library - Storytime Room
Baby Time is tailored for babies from birth-12 months together with their favorite adult!

Fri, Nov 21, 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Durango Public Library - Room 1&2 Combined
Friday afternoons are all about having fun building, playing, exploring, and creating together!

Sat, Nov 22, 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Durango Public Library - Room 3
Calling knitters, crocheters, and fiber artists of all ages and levels!

Mon, Nov 24, 4:00pm - 5:30pm
Durango Public Library - Room 3
At a Death Cafe people gather to eat cake, drink tea and discuss death. Our objective is 'to increase awareness of death with a view to helping people make the most of their (finite) lives'.