Welcome to the 2025 Garden Book Club!
The Garden Book Club takes place every Tuesday around 7PM on my INSTAGRAM STORIES beginning January 14, 2025
This is the VERY first year I’ve done The Garden Book Club. I’ve put together a list of 12 books we’ll read (one for each month).
The Books
I tried to make it a good mix of garden themed fiction and non-fiction. Some of the books I’ve read partially, but most of them are new to me. I might even thrown in a children’s book along the way. I tried to find books that are easily found at many local libraries so you don’t have to invest much to participate.
The Book Club
The Garden Book Club is entirely on line and takes place every Tuesday on my Instagram Stories. I’ll discuss the book, share polls, your comments and voice texts and then post in my Instagram feed where you can share your thoughts and comments.
I’ll also share more of the comments, notes, and voice texts about the book in my stories throughout the remainder of the week.
First, see if the book is available at your local library as a book or an audiobook on Libby or Hoopla. If you can’t find it there you can go to my Amazon store (affiliate link) on Amazon, on Audible, a thrift online book store like Abe books or Thrift books, or at your local book stores.
Whether you’re reading the book or listening to the audiobook, I’d love to hear your thoughts!
How to Participate
You can either leave a Written Message or a Voice Message (see instructions below) of your insights from the weekly readings on my Instagram DMs.
Share Your thoughts on a Voice Message
- Prepare What to Say: Write down your thoughts ahead of time, starting with a brief introduction (your name or instagram name and where you’re from). This helps keep your message clear and focused. KEEP IT UNDER 1 MINUTE.
- What stood out to you in this week’s reading?
- How did it inspire or challenge you?
- What’s one thing you want to apply to your garden or life?
How to Send Your Written or Voice Message
Hearing from you is easy—just follow these simple steps (keep it under 1 minute):
- Go to Instagram DMs: Tap the paper airplane icon at the top right hand side of your feed, then find our message thread or my profile or you can tap here and it will take you to my instagram account.
- Record Your Message: Tap the microphone button and speak calmly at a steady pace. Read from your notes —it’s a great way to stay on track!
- Send It: Release the button to send your message.
The Schedule of Readings
I will share a reading schedule for the upcoming month in my Instagram Stories and there also listed below
The 2025 Garden Book Club List
You can find the FULL BOOK LIST HERE in My Amazon store (affiliate link). The full list is included in this blog post below. You can tap on each book photo or the title and it will take you to my Amazon store as well. But, first I’d suggest trying to find the books at your local library first.
1. January
The Garden Within by Dr. Anita Phillips
This book shows how embracing your emotions can unlock your most powerful life in this transformative book by trauma therapist Dr. Anita Phillips. Combining faith, neurobiology, and practical tools, Dr. Phillips reveals how emotional well-being heals trauma, calms anxiety, and renews the mind. Just as gardens thrive in good soil, your heart flourishes when nurtured. DISCLAIMER: this book blends faith through a Christian lens with neurobiology, gardening, and the author’s research as a therapist. While the faith aspect isn’t overt, it includes Bible verses and mentions the Creator and Jesus in a respectful way. Some people may not prefer those topics & wanted to ensure everyone is aware!
Book Club Schedule
15 Chapters/198 pages
- Week 1: Read Chapters 1–4
- Week 2: Read Chapters 5–8 Discuss chapters 1-8 Tuesday January 14
- Week 3: Read Chapters 9–12 Discuss Tuesday January 21
- Week 4: Read Chapters 13–15 Tuesday January 28
2. February
The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh
Victoria Jones uses the Victorian art of flower symbolism to communicate emotions she can’t express, shaped by a childhood in the foster-care system. Now 18 and on her own, she discovers a gift for helping others through her floral choices, but an unexpected encounter forces her to confront a painful secret and consider risking everything for a second chance at happiness.
7 Chapters/308 pages
- Week 1: Read Chapters 1–2 Discuss Tuesday February 4
- Week 2: Read Chapters 3–4 Discuss Tuesday February 11
- Week 3: Read Chapters 5–6 Discuss Tuesday February 18
- Week 4: Read Chapter 7 Discuss Tuesday February 25
3. March
Tea Gardening for Beginners by Julia Dimakos
is your guide to growing and blending your own tea. Learn to plan your garden, cultivate 25 flavorful plants like lavender and lemongrass, and create custom blends for energy, relaxation, and more. With step-by-step instructions and plant profiles, this book makes it easy to brew tea straight from your garden!
7Chapters/117 pages
- Week 1: Read Intro & Chapter 1 Discussion March 4
- Week 2: Read Chapters 2–3 Discussion March 11
- Week 3: Read Chapters 4–5 Discussion March 18
- Week 4: Read Chapters 6–7 Discussion March 25
4. April
Leaves, Roots, and Fruit by Nicole Johnsey Burke
Do you dream of harvesting fresh, organic food from your own kitchen garden but feel limited by space, time, or experience? Nicole Johnsey Burke, founder of Gardenary, Inc., and author of Kitchen Garden Revival, shows how to match plants’ needs to your resources for year-round gardening success. With her intuitive system—leaves for quick harvests, roots for longevity, and fruits for sweet rewards—Burke provides step-by-step guidance for every level of gardener. No matter where you grow, there’s always a plant you can cultivate right away!
4 Parts/230 pages 4
- Week 1: Read Preface & Part 1 Discuss April 1
- Week 2: Read Part 2 Discuss April 8
- Week 3: Read Part 3 Discuss April 15
- Week 4: Read Part 4 Discuss April 22
5. May
The Well-Gardened Mind by Sue Stuart Smith
Gardening connects us to the cycles of life—where decay gives way to renewal—and offers a powerful refuge for the mind. In The Well-Gardened Mind, Sue Stuart-Smith explores the transformative relationship between mental health and gardening, drawing on personal stories, psychoanalytic insights, and groundbreaking research. This thoughtful and inspiring book reminds us how tending a garden can nurture both the soil and the soul.
13 Chapters/288 pages
- Week 1: Read Intro & Chapters 1–3 Discussion May 6
- Week 2: Read Chapters 4–6 Discussion May 13
- Week 3:Read Chapters 7–9 May 20
- Week 4: Read Chapters 10–13 Discussion May 27
6. June
The Garden of Small Beginnings by Abbi Waxman
This “quirky, funny, and deeply thoughtful book” follows widowed single mom Lilian Girvan as she navigates life after loss with her two daughters, supportive sister, and a job illustrating textbooks—complete with odd assignments like drawing whale genitalia. When her boss enrolls her in a vegetable gardening class, Lilian reluctantly attends, but what begins as an awkward Saturday at the Los Angeles botanical garden transforms into a journey of growth and healing, proving that even in the darkest times, a little sunshine can make all the difference.
7. July
The Food Lover’s Garden by Jenni Blackmore
This beginner-friendly guide takes foodies and novice gardeners from planting to plate. Learn to grow and cook 20+ popular vegetables and herbs with step-by-step instructions for any space, from balconies to backyards. Includes easy recipes, meal ideas, and preserving tips, all beautifully illustrated for a celebration of fresh, high-quality food. Perfect for urban homesteaders and sustainable living enthusiasts!
8. August
I Contain Multitudes by Ed Yong
Pulitzer Prize winner Ed Yong takes readers on a fascinating journey into the microbial world, revealing how bacteria and microbes shape life on Earth. From aiding immune systems to granting animals incredible abilities, microbes transform how we see ourselves—not as individuals, but as interconnected multitudes. This groundbreaking book offers a humorous and insightful look at the hidden partners that build our bodies, protect our health, and redefine life itself.
9. September
Animal, Vegetable, Miracle A Year of Food Life by Barbara Kingsolver
This modern classic blends memoir and investigative journalism, chronicling Kingsolver’s family’s year of eating locally in rural Appalachia. Updated with new essays from the Kingsolver family, the book reflects on how their commitment to sustainable food has evolved, including a farm-to-table restaurant, training for young farmers, and personal stories of living in harmony with food and nature. A thoughtful exploration of food culture’s impact on health, environment, and community.
10. October
Beatrix Potter’s Gardening Life by Marta McDowell
Few books are as beloved as The Tale of Peter Rabbit, and few authors as iconic as Beatrix Potter. In Beatrix Potter’s Gardening Life, Marta McDowell explores how Potter’s love of gardening shaped her work, featuring a gardener’s biography, a season-by-season look at her gardens, and a traveler’s guide to visiting them today.
11. November
Down to Earth by Monty Don
Monty Don shares 50 years of gardening wisdom in this practical and lyrical guide. Covering nature, seasons, design, pests, and more, he offers month-by-month advice from his own garden, alongside rarely seen photos. Perfect for gardeners seeking inspiration and expert tips for thriving gardens and fulfilling lives.
12. December
The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
Rediscover this timeless classic with Tasha Tudor’s iconic illustrations, an extended author biography, and fun activities. Follow orphan Mary Lennox as she uncovers the mysteries of her uncle’s estate and transforms a hidden garden into a place of healing and hope. A perfect gift for young readers and collectors alike!
I can’t wait to see how this club grows throughout the year and look forward to hearing from you! Be sure to grab your copy of the book ahead of time so we can get started.
Happy reading—and gardening!
~Michelle
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