If you’re a reader and love all things gardens and garden critters (bees, butterflies, birds), then this is the reading list for you! I’m back with another themed group of books to tell you about. And since it’s Spring, I decided that novels about gardens and pollinators would be seasonally appropriate.
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Now, admittedly, I’m one of those people who likes the idea of gardening better than actually gardening. I don’t exactly have a terrific track record when it comes to keeping up on garden maintenance. But I DO love to make our yard wildlife- and pollinator-friendly. Ironically, I’ve found that the secret to a wildlife-welcoming yard is a touch of neglect.
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
But, oh, how quickly I digress.
Recently, I found myself reaching for book after book that dealt with all the spring things- gardens, bees, butterflies, etc. And since I love a good themed reading list post, I wanted to share these titles with you. Just in case you, too, want to dive into gardening in a make-believe sort of way.
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Garden Spells
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This book was the one that originally introduced me to magical realism as a genre, and I’ve been hooked ever since. I should say, I’ve been hooked to the genre AND the author, Sarah Addison Allen, ever since. And I was lucky enough to find this hardcover copy at a used bookstore in Asheville, NC, where the author is from and still resides to this day!
“Garden Spells” is like a cozier version of “Practical Magic”- it’s got sisters and the magic of herbs and flowers, but it’s not quite as dark or intense. In fact, “Garden Spells” almost has a Gilmore Girls familiarity to it via community relationships, which I also love. It’s my favorite of all of Sarah Addison Allen’s novels, even though I’ve essentially enjoyed each and every one.
Either way, this is an all-time favorite of mine and I highly recommend it. Especially if you’ve never read anything by Sarah Addison Allen before.
The Music of Bees
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For me, the best part about “The Music of Bees” was the hands-on information pertaining to beekeeping. In many ways, it’s a love letter to the act of beekeeping- and I love how it effectively saved the characters by giving each one hope and purpose when they needed it most.
Admittedly, the story sometimes slogged along, but it was still an enjoyable read. And there’s a touch of environmental activism to the story, too, which I related to.
The Wedding Bees
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I happened upon “The Wedding Bees” at a used bookstore here in Charlotte, NC and I wasn’t sure what to expect. But I absolutely loved it from start to finish. The main female character (MFC) was southern and sweet, but not in a fake, saccharine way that is tropey. That, in and of itself, made the book highly enjoyable from the start.
There was just a wee drop of magic to the story- surrounding the bees- that it added a sparkle of charm but didn’t make everything implausible. I highly recommend this title to anyone looking for novels about gardens and pollinators. There’s no romantic spice, but it’s a completely charming love story nonetheless. And who doesn’t appreciate a MFC who reclaims her life as her own?
Give Me Butterflies
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I absolutely ADORED “Give Me Butterflies”! Both main characters were charming and loveable, and as a scientist myself, I swooned over the STEM aspects of their workplace. Their romance is very sexy- drawn out with the kind of longing a middle-aged woman like me can smile about in a knowing way.
I also loved that both main characters had worked through toxic relationships of their own- one romantic, one familial- and emerged healthy and strong on the other side.
Birding with Benefits
Now I know what you’re saying- novels about gardens and pollinators shouldn’t necessarily include birds! But hummingbirds are technically pollinators, so I’m stretching the theme a bit here…
Anyway…usually a spicy romance- especially one with nature-y vibes!- would grab me from the get go and I’d rip through it in a few days. But I just never connected with “Birding with Benefits”. I loved the idea that the characters were a smidge older/wiser than the average romance novel characters. But ultimately, that wasn’t enough to save the book from being a disappointment to me.
Oh well, there are plenty of other (romance books) fish in the sea, right?
The Secret Life of Bees
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Technically, I ended up listening to this one on a long drive- but audiobooks still count, as far as I’m concerned! Either way, I sincerely enjoyed this quintessential southern story- and how the religion of beekeeping was woven into every element.
Like other great southern reads (think “Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Café”), “The Secret Life of Bees” is syrupy, filled with clever descriptions and racial disparities that force a white reader to reckon with some discomfort. But, I’m a big believer in discomfort being a catalyst for growth and understanding, which is always a good thing.
Novels About Gardens and Pollinators
There are, of course, plenty of other titles that could fit into this theme. I wanted to read “The Language of Flowers” as part of this post, but the font in my copy was just too dang small. Unfortunately, I’ve reached the age where I sometimes pass up books due to small or squat fonts or pale printing.
But either way, if you’re looking to add a little backyard magic to your reading list, I hope this blog post gives you some titles to consider.
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
To come up with the photos of the books in a outdoor setting, I finally explored Rosie’s Wine Garden here in Charlotte. It’s the coffee/wine shop in front of the McGill Rose Garden, a public garden right in the middle of Uptown (our city center in Charlotte, normally called downtown). It was the quintessential setting for my garden-themed books, and I highly recommend checking it out if you live in the area.
Especially at this time of year, when all the roses and flowers are blooming…
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
And no, I didn’t plan on including three titles written by other Sarahs- that was just a fun little discovery when I stacked the books together!
I’m already busy at work reading a stack of themed titles for an upcoming blog post. And I’ll need to go somewhere “sweet” to snap photos of the books- can you guess what my next reading theme will be?
Happy Reading!
S
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Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Sarah Ramberg is the owner of Sadie Seasongoods, a website that celebrates all things secondhand. From upcycling ideas and thrifted decor to vintage-centric travel itineraries, Sadie Seasongoods is a one-stop shop for anyone who loves thrifting and approachable repurposing ideas. Sarah is also the author of “Crafting with Flannel” and has been featured in numerous media outlets and magazines.
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