It Could Happen Here CZM Book Club: Because Change Was the Ocean and We Lived by Her Mercy, by Charlie Jane Anders, Part One
Jan 18, 2026
Join a fascinating journey through a post-apocalyptic world where a vibrant community thrives amidst chaos. Experience a nude candle ritual that sets the tone for deep connections. As characters navigate love and laughter, they also tackle ocean restoration and the joy of rediscovering lost music. A heartwarming dive into community bonds reveals challenges, including a food crisis that tests their resilience. Ultimately, it's a celebration of love, both communal and romantic, highlighting the strength found in togetherness.
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Candleboats: Reverence Meets Absurdity
- Margaret Kiljoy reads a scene where the group launches candleboats on Bernal Island and then collapses into laughter after Miranda farts.
- The moment mixes reverence and absurdity to show how close-knit rituals bind the community.
Leaving For Bernal And Finding Belonging
- The narrator recounts leaving Fairbanks, roadtripping with Juya, and arriving at Bernal where they fall into a vibrant communal life.
- The story traces how the narrator finds belonging in a sea-based commune and falls in love with many people there.
The Ocean As Cultural Ethic
- The community treats the ocean as a living force: 'change was the ocean and we lived on her mercy.'
- That framing turns environmental upheaval into a cultural ethic shaping openness and communal resilience.
