Winter is almost over, and spring is just around the corner. My bulbs are pushing their way up through the mulch and leaves. Soon, the snowdrops will bloom, hopefully followed by daffodils and narcissus. I can’t wait to stink up my house (according to my family) with spring flowers. While I wait for warmer weather, I love to curl up by the fire with a book that captures the spirit of spring. Here are my four favorite spring time books.
1. The Secret Garden
This classic children’s novel, published in 1911, screams spring. Enjoy Frances Hodgson Burnett’s beloved story of Mary Lennox, who moves from India to England and discovers a mysterious secret garden at her uncle’s estate. I like to brew a pot of tea and dream of creating my own garden like the one Mary and her friends work so hard to bring back to life.
2. Tasha Tudor’s Garden
The Secret Garden edition that I read is illustrated by the artist Tasha Tudor. Her beautiful watercolors from the book must have inspired her to create her own magical garden. To get ideas for my flowerbeds or dream about what could be, I turn to Tasha Tudor’s Garden and her gorgeous Vermont home for inspiration. This 1994 book of colorful photographs by Richard W. Brown and text by Tovah Martin guides readers through Tasha Tudor’s fields and meadows, which are strewn with flowers for every season.
3. The Enchanted April
Gardening isn’t the only springtime activity that books can inspire. Spring is such an excellent time to travel. When I can’t travel, I dream of traveling to faraway places like Italy. The Enchanted April Elizabeth Von Arnim’s 1923 novel follows four women who escape a dreary, wet England to be transformed by the springtime beauty of Italy. I read this book and can almost smell the wisteria cascading down the walls of an Italian castle.
4. The Wind In The Willows
Finally, the ultimate celebration of spring combined with talking animals and wild adventure in the 1908 children’s classic The Wind In The Willows. Get lost in Kenneth Grahame’s beautiful writing about friendship and discovery. On the first warm spring day, I feel like Mole as he races outside to frolic in the sunshine.
Ah, spring. The smell of mud and new grass. The sight of weeds invading my flowerbeds. I should dance around like Mole in the sunshine or pull weeds like Mary Lennox. Instead, I’ll make a cup of tea and grab a brownie from the freezer as I escape to the castle of San Salvatore and an Italian garden.
Do you like reading books about talking animals? Book 2 from my Tales of Enda series has a scene inspired by my favorite character, Toad, from The Wind In The Willows. Read Adorabelle The Not So Adorable and see if you can find it.
Who are your favorite book characters? Do you have books that you like to read at certain times of the year? Comment below on what other spring-inspired books I should read.