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What We’re Reading: Team Bloomscape’s Book Picks for When You’re Hunkered At Home
While we’re all spending more time inside, the Bloomscape Team has been taking time to slow down and focus on off-screen interests like plant-tending, cooking, DIY projects, and good books.
We’ve put together some of our personal favorite reads – some plant-related, some not, but all are certified fresh. Dig in with us as we share what’s on our shelves!
Stephen, UX Lead:
How to Do Nothing by Jenny Odell
“As I sit on my couch staring at my phone scrolling through Instagram, I’m reminding of one of my favorite reads of the past year, How to Do Nothing. It’s about redirecting our attention towards natural surroundings. This book showed me by taking your time, being present, and relaxing, you’re doing good for the body. It brings us closer to being human and able to think clearer. This is a perfect book for our current times.”
Plant Magic, by Christine Buckley
“Now that I’m starting my first garden, I’ve begun hoarding plant books, and one of my favorites recently is Plant Magic. It makes herbal medicine very approachable and you begin to feel like you can create medicine out of anything in the ground. This book will reset your relationship with good-for-you plants.”
Greer, Marketing Automation Specialist:
Circe by Madeline Miller
“One of the best books I’ve read in years! Circe puts you in the heart of the world of Greek mythology and makes the gods feel almost real. You’ll be rooting for the main character Circe the whole time, no matter how many human-like mistakes she makes. She’s the complicated woman/goddess/heroine/witch that we all wish to be! Can’t forget all the magic and witchcraft that would make Circe a killer herbology student at Hogwarts. The things this woman can do with plants! Warning: You might stay up countless nights into the early morning hours devouring this book.”
Cecilia, Indoor Plant Expert
Flowers: How They Changed the World by William C. Burger
“Flowers: How They Changed the World is a great, informative book about how plants evolved while still being easy to digest and fun. It’s one of my favorites because it explains how plants were able to diversify into the many unique varieties we see and enjoy today, and gives you a new appreciation for them.”
Anna, Graphic Designer
Ways of Seeing by John Berger
“Ways of Seeing is a nice course in understanding the act of observing art and how the experience can change based on subjective and objective factors. I first read the book in one of my freshman art history classes, and since then it’s been a nice grounding spot for me to return to whenever I need help looking at a challenging piece of art.”
Codi, Community + Events Manager
The Overstory by Richard Powers
The Overstory by Richard Powers is a long read, perfect for staying at home! The story follows the stories of nine people and their relationships with trees, whose lives eventually intersect and intertwine like roots and branches. This book makes you question humankind’s connection (or lack thereof) with nature, our superstitious nature, and how this has determined our past, and our future. Perfect eco-fiction for those who are interested in sustainability, horticulture, and love stories!”
Andrea, Content Manager
Here by Richard McQuire
“A deep but digestible meditation on place and time, this graphic novel tells the story of the corner of a room over hundreds of thousands of years. It’s been helpful for me during this period of uncertainty to remember that time does move on. Our current moment is but a second in the grand scheme of things.”
Stacey, Operations Coordinator
Dining In by Alison Roman
“I highly recommend either of Alison Roman’s cookbooks, Dining In or Nothing Fancy. Some recipes require ingredients you might not otherwise have on hand, like preserved lemons or anchovies, but over time these have become staples in my pantry. Alison describes cooking in such an intuitive way, like when describing toasted hazelnuts should be ‘the color of a good piece of toast.’ The books make cooking feel very approachable and have inspired me to cook with ingredients I normally wouldn’t have. If you’re looking to turn cooking into a hobby instead of a chore, this is it!”
Edible Spots and Pots by Stacey Hirvela
“Edible Spots and Pots” is a great beginner’s guide to container gardening and growing food with whatever space you have available. The book goes into detail on what plants to choose, how to deal with pests, soil amendments and so much more. My favorite chapter is ‘Thriller, Filler & Spiller Combinations.’ The plant ‘recipes’ are easy to follow and give a guide on what plants will grow well in a pot together. I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking to get into container gardening but doesn’t know where to start!”