by Amanda Rose Newton
Somehow, we have already found our way to December and that means the days between now and the gift-giving holidays are shrinking. Books, especially the tangible variety, have a way of slowing down the world, at least while reading.
While books might not be the first thing one thinks of as a personal gift, it speaks volumes (pun intended) about how well the giftee knows the recipient.
If you are stuck on what to get a loved one (or a co-worker, or a teacher, or the mailman…) consider giving a book as it will provide further insight, teach a skill, or encourage imagination.
Books are the one present that has the power to keep giving long after the season is done.
This year happened to be a fantastic year for those of us botanophiles!
Below are some of 2022’s greatest gifts to us with something for everyone on your list.
For The Beer Connoisseur
The Botany of Beer: An Illustrated Guide to More Than 500 Plants Used in Brewing
by Giuseppe Caruso
Yep, it’s a book all about the FIVE HUNDRED plants that have been or are currently being used to create the world’s most celebrated beverage.
It also happens to be beautifully illustrated and contains details on the properties of plants that make different beers special. The botanical illustrations that accompany the descriptions of the plants are worth the price alone! If you ever wanted to know which parts of plants make their way into beer, if any are toxic, and just generally love food chemistry, you need this. It’s in my shopping cart right now!
For The True Crime Lover
Planting Clues: How plants solve crimes
by David J. Gibson
Forensic botany is alive and well, and this book tells you some of the more interesting stories that highlighted their use in solving high-profile cases.
From Ted Bundy to orchid smuggling, this is a delightfully quick read that makes you think about the plants growing in your own landscape versus your neighbor.
For The Outdoor Enthusiasts
The Lost Rainforests of Britain
by Guy Shrubsole
If you have “shrub” in your name, you best be a great nature writer, and this piece by Guy Shrubsole proves that.
This book tells the story of a unique habitat that has been so ravaged, most people today do not realize it exists. Outdoor enthusiasts in Britain remark that the temperate rainforest, like what we have in the outdoor paradise that is the Pacific Northwest, may once have covered up to one-fifth of Britain.
It is said to have inspired Celtic druids, Welsh wizards, poets, and Arthur Conan Doyle’s most loved characters. Though we may never be able to travel there in person, you just have to pick up this book to take a stroll through the giant ferns and carpet-like lichens.
For The Adventurer
Chasing Plants: Journeys with a Botanist through Rainforests, Swamps, and Mountains
by Chris Thorogood
Just because plants are stationary does not mean they are boring!
Botanists and horticulturalists are some of the most exciting people on Earth, and this book dives into the harrowing trips they take to procure plants of medicinal purpose, ornament, or rarity.
Thorogood also happens to be an amazing botanical illustrator and he fills the pages with beautiful drawings throughout. Perfect for those who cannot get through a book without pictures!
For The Beauty and Self-Care Queen/King
Scent: A Natural History of Fragrance
by Elise Vernon Pearlstine
The cover of this book will instantly make you want to read it. It is that good. The book contents are fresh, and Pearlstine’s love of plants, biology, and her transitional career in perfumery makes this one of the more interesting new releases this year.
Plants have been harnessing chemicals to avoid bugs, other plants, and even us for centuries. Pearlstine, a great storyteller, teaches us all the mechanics of how and why these scents we love came into existence. Some of the uses may very well surprise you!
For The Environmentalist
Eating to Extinction: The World’s Rarest Foods and Why We Need to Save Them
by Dan Saladino
“Of the six thousand different plants once consumed by human beings, only nine remain major staples today. Just three of these―rice, wheat, and corn―now provide fifty percent of all our calories.”
While that is a bit of a downer, it is striking! Saladino talks about how we got here and what we can do about it to ensure world food security and diversify our plates!
For The History Buff
In the Name of Plants: From Attenborough to Washington, the People behind Plant Names
by Sandra Knapp
If you (or someone you need a gift for) love the blog posts about horticultural history, this book is for you.
Sandra Knapp, famous in her own right, diligently researched the history behind both the scientific and common names we associate with the plants we love.
If you ever wondered what the backstory was behind certain names or if they really are a pop culture reference (hint: you’re right) it’s all here, accompanied by full-color botanical plates.
A beautiful coffee table book that you will enjoy looking at just as much as reading it.
For The Gardener
Gardening in a Changing World: How We Can Adopt a More Holistic Ecological Approach to Gardens and Gardening
by Darryl Moore
Gardening is not what it used to be, but the good news is you can make small tweaks that will end up saving you money, time, and energy. In fact, plants hold the keys to creating a more stable environment for the future.
This is an inspiring book offering real-life examples of how to make your yard, garden, and life more sustainable.
For The Artist:
A Garden Eden. Masterpieces of Botanical Illustration
by H. Walter Lack
This book is gorgeous. It really could just be left at that, because it is, but it also goes further than just showing off pretty pictures by inviting readers to explore the ecology, detail, and rigor artists had to maintain to create these works of art.
A must for any artist, collector, or anyone who just wants a little inspiration.
Check out our favorite local bookstore in the heart of Cocoa Village, Hello Again Books for your botany-inspired books.
If you love books as much as we do, be sure to attend the last meeting of the year for the Boozy Botanicals Book Club White Elephant Book Swap on the 18th, and stay tuned for the 2023 season.
