4 hard copy, hardcover books I'm adoring right now
semi-lazy gardening, winter love, backyard nature & a touch of magical realism
For the last couple of months, when I’ve been traveling or out in the world, I’ve gotten into the practice of carrying stacks of hard copy (and even hardcover) books around with me. I didn’t plan it, but found myself drawn one freshly-published hardcover book, then another, then another; and it just sort of…happened.
Now that I’m in deep, I can’t say I’m sad about it. I appreciate the convenience, backlighting, and easy-print-enlarging capabilities of an e-reader at times, but I’m finding comfort and pleasure in the sensory experience of holding actual books and am enjoying the process of reading them much more than I do on my Kindle.
(Finally having embraced wearing reading glasses really helps.)
It also doesn’t hurt that the books I’m reading right now are, to a one, beautiful to look at and a pleasure to hold. And while I didn’t plan it this way—they’re all very different books on the surface—when you see them together, it’s obvious that I was drawn to similar themes.
In this week’s episode of The Tea’s Made podcast I shared the four books that are my constant friends in this moment plus a little bit about my ever-evolving reading habits. Scroll down to see each of the books and to find bookshop.org links1 - my preferred way to shop and share books online.
Four books I’m reading right now (all in hardcover!)
The Waters, by
When I devoured Bonnie Jo Campbell’s Once Upon A River last summer, I had no idea she had another book coming out so soon - but what a book! If you like themes like mother-daughter relationships and how humans interact with the natural world, are fascinated by herbalism, or want to learn more about Michigan’s snakes (yes - it turns out, we have our own rattlers here), you need to read The Waters. I’m savoring this one slowly, friends, and it’s been worth every delicious bite.
To Stand and Stare: How to garden while doing next to nothing, by .
Imagine a book about gardening that’s not really about gardening, but about our human relationship with nature, the misguided attempts we put into taming it, and how to strike a better balance between mastery and appreciation. To Stand and Stare is definitely more thoughtful narrative than how-to, and a perfect read for the season when we’re all waiting for the ground to warm, dreaming of wild things.
Winterlust: Finding Beauty in the Fiercest Season, by Brendt Brunner
This is beautiful little book is part reflection on the meaning and wonder of winter, and part anthropological reference of how winter is spent (and celebrated) in cold-weather cultures across the world and throughout history. Buy it now and tuck it away for the late-season snowstorm we’re sure to get.
The Comfort of Crows: A Backyard Year by Margaret Renkl
No surprise that this book - the center of our So-Slow Book Club - has been my constant companion since we began it in December! Catch up on all the posts so far, and/or jump into the next prompt this Saturday morning! This week’s post and discussion will be open to free subscribers, so it’s a great time to join in.
Your turn, friends - what are you reading right now? Any books on my bedside table that you’re hoping to add to yours?
All book links in this post - and going forward, on The Tea’s Made—will be Bookshop.org links. The small act of shifting your online book-buying habits to Bookshop.org is a great way to support indie booksellers like my family bookstore, Paper Mill Books. You can hear a little more about my commitment in the opener to this week’s podcast episode.
Thank you, Meagan, for reading The Waters! The Comfort of Crows sounds incredible!
Thank you for these recommendations. I love how cozy and seasonal they are! I am drawn to winterlust and will add it to my list for this PA winter. am almost finished The Secrets Between Us by Thrity Umrigar. I think I’m going to dive into The Anxiety Audit book and course next.