Books for Christmas and New Year reading
Published by Greenfinch
Hardback. 208 pages. £25
Update: The prize draw copy has been won by Natalia at Lucky Bees. Thank you for leaving a comment and entering the draw. And thanks to the publishers for sending a copy for the draw.
If there was a vote for the most beautiful book produced in 2024, Rachel de Thame would win it. Rachel, best known for her newspaper column, magazine writing and appearances on BBC Gardeners World, joined forces with her daughter Lauren Lusk to produce a book which is joyful on every page. Lauren, a talented illustrator, hand painted many of the flower pictures featured in the book, and added a myriad of bees, moths and butterflies dancing across the page. To open the book is to step inside Rachel’s garden and walk alongside her as she meanders through the colourful wildflowers, cottage garden plants and herbs. We feel as if we are there, with her, seeing and hearing everything she describes. She writes: “I stopped deadheading, stood still in the middle of the space and was amazed by the number of butterflies darting across the garden. Bees, hoverflies and other small flies zipped from flower to flower. I closed my eyes and listened to the various hummings and buzzings. The garden was fizzing with insect activity, and as I resumed snipping faded dahlias and cosmos, I felt the air stir against my cheek as if whipped up by a tiny fan, and was astonished to realise it was the backdraft of rapidly beating bee wings, centimetres from my face.”
The book is split into seasons with Rachel’s selection of favourite plants each given a page of description.
Lauren’s illustrations are beautifully-detailed. It’s not possible to capture their beauty accurately with my camera phone pictures. they are much brighter and clearer in the book.
This is a book I’ve found invaluable this year in particular as we have had a crash in numbers for both bees and butterflies. We had no butterflies at all on the buddleja when it flowered. Summer didn’t really start until mid July. What I learned is that we have to plant a succession of plants all year round, so there’s always something for pollinators to feed on. Our climate is so unpredictable we can have all four seasons in one day! As I write this, a bumble bee is drunkenly buzzing about the garden- no doubt enticed out of hibernation by the unusually high December temperatures. It’s due to be 12C tomorrow. And we had snow, followed by flooding just two weeks ago.
I think you’ll find Rachel’s book a mine of information if, like me, you want to help the pollinators that make our gardens such a thriving and ‘alive’ place to be. I have no hesitation in recommending A Flower Garden for Pollinators. It’s a delight from start to finish.
Rachel de Thame is a television presenter and writes for The Sunday Times, The Daily Telegraph and top homes and gardens magazines. She hosts courses at Broadwell Manor with guests Arit Anderson, Arthur Parkinson, Hazel Gardiner, and Butter Wakefield. More information below:
Please leave a comment and your name below to be included in the prize draw. One name will be randomly selected on Tuesday 17th December at 6pm. There’s no cash alternative and the editor’s decision is final. Sorry, uk entries only. Thank you for reading my blog.
Bramble Garden 
I missed this one too!
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Wow. What an intereesting book. I’d love to be able to read it sometime. The polinators would be just up my street. thanks for offering
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Thank you 🙏
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Karen is the most wonderful book I have ever seen. Her illustrations are charming and her photos divine. You find some gems!! I’m going to see if I can find it on the internet and I’ll give it to myself just to see her butterflies. Take care. Warmest regards from Margarita xx
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Thank you Margarita. It is a real gem of a book. It’s been such a cheerful book to read these past few months. Sending very best wishes to you and your family. Karen xx
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I don’t think my comment posted so I am trying again. This book looks amazing – such beautiful illustrations & obviously full of information about such an important topic. Thank you for recommending. Sue M.
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Thank you for reading my blog and for getting in touch. Sorry your name wasn’t drawn this time. Please keep an eye open for more book reviews this week. All the best Karen.
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This looks like the most amazing book – so beautifully illustrated & obviously full of really useful information about such an important topic. Thank you for recommending it.
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Thank you for reading my blog and for getting in touch. Sorry your name wasn’t drawn this time. Please keep an eye open for more book reviews this week. All the best Karen.
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Sounds like a lovely book Karen. Would be great as a gift.
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Thank you Cathy.
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What a fabulous book, you always find real gems Karen. I will look out for this book on internet, it would be a great one to read over this Christmas. Best wishes, Natalia
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Hello Natalia, congratulations, you’ve won the book in the prize draw. Please send an e mail to k.gimson@btinternet.com and I’ll post a copy to you. Thanks again for reading my blog and for leaving a comment.
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Rachel de Thame continues to be an inspiration, and not solely for her work as a plantswoman. She battled cancer and has come out the other side and has now shared her knowledge on an important issue for our planet. In my Midlands garden I too noticed the lack of bees and butterflies in 2024. It has made me more determined to opt for pollinating plants. The book looks wonderful.
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Thank you for reading my blog and for getting in touch. Sorry your name wasn’t drawn this time. Please keep an eye open for more book reviews this week. All the best Karen.
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A thoroughly enticing review. I have ordered a copy for Jackie, so don’t need to be in the draw.
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Thank you Derrick. Jackie won’t be disappointed. I leave the book open on a different page every day as the writing is so cheering, and the illustrations really should be framed.Have a wonderful Christmas and thanks for reading my blog.
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wow, this looks an amazing book! I would love a copy for the illustrations alone!
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Thank you. Must admit, I leave the book open on a different page every day. The illustrations are so lovely. Combined with Rachel’s beautiful writing, it makes a lovely read.
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Thank you for reading my blog and for getting in touch. Sorry your name wasn’t drawn this time. Please keep an eye open for more book reviews this week. All the best Karen.
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Sounds like a lovely book, I’d love to own a copy.
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Thank you. I do think it’s the best book published this year. Very happy to recommend it.
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Thank you for reading my blog and for getting in touch. Sorry your name wasn’t drawn this time. Please keep an eye open for more book reviews this week. All the best Karen.
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there are many books on the market today, but this sounds like it’s a personal experience of developing a beautiful garden and a very special collaboration of mother and daughter working together.
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Thank you for reading my blog and for getting in touch. Sorry your name wasn’t drawn this time. Please keep an eye open for more book reviews this week. All the best Karen.
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