by Amanda Rose Newton
Even though reading is often thought of as a solitary venture, books are largely social. Think of all the controversy that books have caused, or all the works of fiction assigned in English class discussions.
All of us have read a book that we can’t stop talking about, whether to our significant others, parents, siblings, friends, or the family dog. Book clubs did not invent the idea that books are a social medium, they just embraced it!
For those who have never been in a book club before, the whole premise can seem silly or intimidating. If you fit squarely into one of the aforementioned categories, here are a few reasons to consider picking up a book (and a glass) at this year’s Boozy Botanical Book Club in the Gardens.
You Will Likely End Up Reading Something You Wouldn’t Have Otherwise.
Our book club focuses on nonfiction of the botanical variety, which is not a path many venture down unless they were already well on their way. Nonfiction has a reputation for being “boring” but think of it as a textbook with tantalizing stories, tear-jerking scenes, and so much drama. It’s like the reality show version you do not get to see in calm collected textbooks!
Our reads feature real people throughout history who happen to have contributed to our botanical knowledge. They can also cover fascinating topics, like how plants reproduce (did we mention it’s not a kid club? We do have one of those, though!), or the various ways mushrooms and trees could save the world.
You Will Meet New People.
In addition to being new, book club members tend to check off the interesting box as well. If you are already a plant fan, you will find your people here! If you are new to plants but interested, you will be welcomed to the collective.
While you could argue that you can talk books with just about any of your current friends, you tend to get a different perspective from people outside your social circle. As covered in the first point, you will likely come away with new insight into worlds you may not otherwise have known.
It’s About More Than The Books.
Boozy is in the book club title for a reason! Even if you are not a drinker, there are countless delicious delights available at most book club settings and some especially unique offerings at ours, thanks to the farmer’s market.
Participants will have the opportunity to have the beautiful beer garden as a backdrop as they enjoy wine and beer if they choose, or a variety of other delicious options.
You Likely Are Going To Overlook Something.
You may not fully understand certain aspects of the book. In this case, a discussion is a great way to get a handle on content and prove whether your hunch was correct. Especially if you are coming in not having loved certain parts of a book, you can walk away with a whole new perspective after hearing how others responded to the same passages.
Book clubs get you to critically think, a skill that is often lost in our day to day but can be completely game-changing when it comes to our retention and understanding.
Socializing Is Fun!
This point ties all the rest into a neat and tidy bundle. Book clubs are meant to be social, and chatting is fun! We all realize how important this element is to our mental health, especially still being in the grips of a pandemic. The power of connection and socialization does wonders for self-care, and ultimately our well-being.
Boozy Botanical Book Club 2022
Each book club meeting will take place in the beer garden in the afternoon on four different Sundays throughout the year, with the final meeting featuring a fun White Elephant-Styled book swap for Christmas! If you are still on the fence about joining, here are the titles we are covering this year:
March 27th – A Garden of Marvels by Ruth Kassinger
“How we discovered that flowers have sex, leaves eat air, and other secrets of plants”. If that tagline didn’t have you on board, the witty comfortable style of Kassinger will make this feel like easy-reading fiction.
June 26th – 50 Plants the Changed the Course of History by Bill Laws
Doubling as a guide, this book features beautiful pictures that present the plants that have had the greatest impact on humankind. From medicine to ornament, you will learn so much about plants that many just consider to be weeds.
September 25th – The Hidden Life of Trees by Peter Wohlleben
For anyone who ever asked if plants can feel or communicate, here come the answers! This book sheds light on processes that we would otherwise never know about, which you will want to pass on to just about anyone you encounter.
December 18th – Thus Spoke the Plant: A remarkable Journey of Groundbreaking Scientific Discoveries and Personal Encounters with Plants by Monica Gagliano
Considered to be a “phytobiography”, written in partnership with a plant, this book explores plant communication in new ways as well as the role they play in our lives.
You can find all these reads at Hello Again Books located in Cocoa Village if you’d like to keep it local. See you in March and Happy Reading!
