As the days get longer and spring shows its colours, it’s the perfect time to match our reading with the season. Just like enjoying fresh strawberries in summer, crisp apples in fall, or hearty root vegetables in winter, picking books that fit the season can make your reading experience feel special and timely.
This spring, why not dive into stories about new beginnings and growth?
The books recommended in this post are a great way to connect with the season and find inspiration in the way nature comes back to life. It’s a unique chance each year to see how nature’s revival can mirror our own journeys through engaging stories.
Spring looks different depending on where you live. In some places, they talk about the woods, but in Australia, we just call it the bush. And while many talk about meadows, we have paddocks here. The books I recommend talk about spring from these different settings, but they all touch on something we all feel: that fresh start as winter fades away.
It’s amazing how, no matter where we are, seeing the earth come alive again can stir something deep inside us, making us feel connected and rejuvenated.
Nature Poetry
1. The Wild Iris” by Louise Glück
Louise Glück’s Pulitzer Prize-winning collection really brings the magic of spring to life. In her poems, it’s as if the flowers and plants themselves are talking to us, sharing their stories of growth and survival. It’s a beautiful, slightly haunting read that celebrates the resilience found in nature’s quiet moments.
2. Bright Wings: An Illustrated Anthology of Poems about Birds, edited by Billy Collins
Spring isn’t complete without the sound of birds singing. “Bright Wings” is a gorgeous collection of poems about birds, curated by former U.S. Poet Laureate Billy Collins.
The book pairs poetry with lovely illustrations, making it a treat for both the eyes and the soul. It’s a perfect pick if you love taking a moment to enjoy the beauty around you.
3. Devotions: The Selected Poems of Mary Oliver, by Mary Oliver
Mary Oliver is a must-read if you love nature poetry. “Devotions” gathers some of her best work, taking you on a peaceful stroll through meadows and woods. Her poems are a gentle reminder to look closely at the world around us and find joy in the simple things.
Books About Blooming
1. Gathering Moss: A Natural and Cultural History of Mosses, by Robin Wall Kimmerer is thoughtful non-fiction choice that intertwines scientific knowledge with personal reflection. Through her exploration of moss, Kimmerer, reflects on the ways these small, often overlooked plants teach lessons about living a simple, yet rich life.
This book offers a unique perspective on growth, resilience, and the importance of connecting with the natural world around us, perfect for those interested in seeing the larger lessons in small, everyday wonders.
2. The Hidden Life of Trees: What They Feel, How They Communicate – Discoveries from a Secret World, by Peter Wohlleben gives you a sneak peek into the amazing world of trees. Peter shows us how trees are more than just timber—they communicate, support each other, and form communities much like our own.
It’s a book that really makes you see nature as a network of connections, where every part relies on another, kind of like how everything comes together in the spring to create something beautiful.
3. A Strong and Fragile Thing, by Lauren Lott (that’s me) proclaims that nature shows us the mix of strength and delicacy in life—how new beginnings come with power, but nature itself can be so fragile. In “A Strong and Fragile Thing,” I dive into these contrasts with my own reflections.
Writing this book was a way for me to heal, letting nature’s quiet wisdom mend my heart as the seasons turned. I personify nature in my writing, seeing it almost as a wise friend who offers little nuggets of insight.
Let this book inspire you to find your own springtime moments, where nature can quietly share little bits of wisdom with you.
Embracing the Lessons of Spring
As you dive into these books and poems, let yourself really connect with the gentle lessons that nature offers. Let the quiet wisdom of the changing world inspire your season of renewal.
Whether it’s the soothing words of a poem or the deep insights from a book, these spring reads are here to refresh your perspective. They’ll fill your heart with wonder and open your mind to the little bits of wisdom that spring up all around us. Enjoy your reading!