When the Earth Was Green: Plants, Animals, and Evolution’s Greatest Romance
In the beginning, there were plants. Read Riley Black’s scientifically-informed romance on our planet with the SciFri Book Club.
Welcome to the SciFri Book Club page about Riley Black’s When the Earth Was Green. There’s lots of ways to participate: Read the book, join our community space, attend an event, read an excerpt, sign up for our email newsletter, or send us a message via our contact page.
This April, the SciFri Book Club is reading When the Earth Was Green: Plants, Animals, and Evolution’s Greatest Romance by Riley Black. In the beginning, there were plants. Billions of years ago, plant life was abundant and diverse, and the evolution of animals was closely tied to the plants that surrounded them. This close relationship between plants and animals played a crucial role in shaping the development of life on Earth. When the Earth Was Green provides a breathtaking ballad of the scientifically-informed romance between early life and plants on our planet. Understanding the coevolution of plants and animals is essential to understanding the history of life on our planet and predicting its future.
When the Earth Was Green brings together a range of topics, including evolution, ecology, environmental science, natural history and more—and we’ll touch on these ideas throughout this Book Club season. You can get your copy from your local bookstore or on Bookshop.org.
This Book Club season kicks off Tuesday, April 1, and you can read along with us! We’ll be (loosely) following this schedule, but all our readers are welcome to join us at their own pace:
- April 1-6: Chapters 1-3
- April 7-13: Chapters 4-7
- April 14-20: Chapters 8-11
- April 21-30: Chapters 12-15 + Final thoughts
Plus, we’ll be hosting events throughout the month! Keep an eye out on our website or join our Events newsletter to be the first to know.
There are so many ways to dive in and participate! You can grab a copy of the book (and support the author and SciFri), join the discussion in our online Book Club community, sign up for our email newsletter, or RSVP for our upcoming Book Club events. Check out all the details below.
Grab Your Own Copy
If you’d like to purchase a physical copy, we encourage you to start local! Check out the SciFri Book Club partner bookstores and libraries—if you’re in the area, consider supporting your local bookseller or public library (plus, mention our Book Club for a percentage off your purchase at participating shops!).
Want more ways to read? This book is available in a few formats via online retailers, your local library, or elsewhere:
Your local library may not currently have When the Earth Was Green in its catalog, but many branches offer ways for patrons like you to submit book suggestions to librarians. Look for ways to suggest new titles via the Libby or OverDrive app, a form submission on your library’s website, or a suggestion box at your local branch!
Save The Date(s): SciFri Book Club Events
When the Earth Was Green: Livestream and Q&A with Riley Black
Billions of years ago, plant life was abundant and diverse, and the evolution of animals was closely tied to the plant life around them. Join celebrated science writer and author Riley Black for a conversation about her new book, When the Earth Was Green, a breathtaking ballad of the scientifically-informed romance between early life and plants on Earth.
Join us online for a livestream all about the science topics featured in the SciFri Book Club pick for April 2025. Come with your queries and wonderings—we’ll be taking your questions in the livestream comments!
SciFri Book Club April community meeting
Want to meet other SciFri Book Club members, talk about the book selection, and find more resources for deeper learning—all without leaving your home? Our community meeting is the place for you!
This discussion meeting will focus on themes and topics featured in When the Earth Was Green. You’re welcome to join us no matter your reading progress—come chat with other science-interested folks about evolution, ecology, environmental science, natural history and more.
Join Our Community Space
And as you start reading, join us on our online community space: the SciFri Book Club is on Mighty Networks, a platform where we can gather, read and discuss science books together. We’ve built this community space to create a better way for readers to stay connected with other Book Clubbers, and we hope you’ll join us there!
Read An Excerpt
Not sure this is the book for you? Want to read an excerpt before you commit? We’ve got you covered.
St. Martin’s Press, publisher of When the Earth Was Green by Riley Green, has offered SciFri Book Clubbers an excerpt of the book! You can read this sample on our website.
Sign Up For Our Newsletter
Subscribe to SciFri Book Club emails to stay updated on our monthly read sand join us for community discussions. We’ll send emails a few times per week.