Here it is—the favorite books of 2025 read by members of The Herb Society of America’s book clubs.
The Herb Society of America has four active book discussion groups. The groups meet online monthly on different days and at different times to discuss an herbal or plant-based book. Some of the books are mysteries; some are non-fiction; some are fiction or historical fiction; and some are even cookbooks. Who knew there were so many different genres of books about herbs! As one member so adequately stated, “The book club has encouraged me to diversify my reading!” The Society also has a discussion group that researches and discusses a different herb or herbal topic each month.
So, for all of you book lovers out there, here are the favorite books of 2025. They are all GREAT choices to add to your reading list. Make plans to visit more gardens and read more books about herbs, plants, and nature in 2026!
Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon was a top choice for one of the book clubs. A riveting NPR Best Book for 2023 is a novel based on the diaries of a midwife in rural Maine in the early 1800s. The author convincingly recreates the time and place and a woman’s role in that society.
The Forbidden Garden: The Botanists of Besieged Leningrad and Their Impossible Choice by Simon Parkin was this group’s favorite nonfiction book. The book tells the story of Russian botanists who saved the world’s largest seed bank during World War II, despite people starving due to the German blockade of St. Petersburg.
Another group’s favorite fiction book was The Woman in the Garden by Jill Johnson. The story features poisonous plants and an intriguing plot. The protagonist is a female professor of botanical toxicology who is better at dealing with plants than with people. A very interesting read.
This group’s non-fiction favorite was What a Plant Knows by Daniel Chamovitz. Chamovitz presents plants not as passive background elements in the landscape, but as highly complex organisms. It’s an eye-opening field guide to plants! Did you know that plants can hear and taste, too?
One of the book groups focuses on plant-related nonfiction. This group chose three outstanding books:
From best-selling author Amy Tan comes The Backyard Bird Chronicles, an exploration of birding and nature. If you are a birder, you will love this book. The group also chose The Garden Against Time by Olivia Laing, in which Laing shares her thoughts while restoring a historic garden in England. The Well-Gardened Mind by Sue Stuart-Smith was this group’s third choice. Here, we learn of the healing effects of gardening—something many of us can confirm.
The favorite discussion topics of the herbal discussion group were a profile of herbalist Adelma Grenier Simmons, herbal actions—how herbs work in the body—as well as cinnamon and nutmeg. Sharpen your herbal knowledge and interest by joining this group.
You are invited to join any (or all) of the HSA Book Clubs and Discussion Group, which encourage diverse reading and discussion of herbs and plants among group members. The book groups, lists of books, and meeting times and days can be found on the HSA website (https://www.herbsociety.org) in the Members Only Section. Not an Herb Society member yet? Join us to start enjoying a life with herbs! Click here to begin your herbal adventure.
HAPPY READING IN 2026!
