Did you know there is a Herb Society Book Club, it’s free for members to join.?

A new book is discussed each month.

As announced in the recent newsletter, bookclub is back from summer break with a new book for September. The group will be reading and discussing Getting Healthy in Toxic Times, just released by Chelsea Green publishing.

The author is Dr Jenny Goodman, a medical doctor trained in ecological medicine. She has a simple recommendation of putting the good stuff in and taking the bad stuff out!

If you’re looking for a bit more of the good stuff, why not join the bookclub? It’s easy to sign up, and it’s free for members.

To join, simply look out for the details in your monthly membership e-newsletter.

I caught up with Nicola to ask a few questions about the book club, here’s what she told me:

Why do we have the book club?

The Book Club is a way of bringing Herb Society members together, who enjoy reading and have a passion for herbs. We meet for a cosy ‘fireside’ chat on Zoom every other month. It is a wonderful way of making new friends and connecting with other members. Everyone is welcome.

What kind of books are reviewed (factual, or also fiction books which feature herbs)?

So far, we have reviewed fiction and non-fiction books that feature herbs. We have discussed Hedgerow Medicine by Julie Bruton-Seal and Matthew Seal, Wild Medicine, Autumn and Winter by Ali English, The Fair Botanists by Sarah Sheridan and The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart by Holly Ringland.

Everyone who is part of the Book Club can recommend a book to read.

Who can join the book club? (and how?)

The Book Club is a free optional benefit to Herb Society members. Once you have become a member of the Herb Society, you will be given information on how to join in your welcome letter.

Which book has been one of the best recommendations?

It’s impossible to choose! I loved the Fair Botanists which was recommended by one of our members.

Have there been surprises in the discussions, or new topics to you?

Lots! When we start talking herbs there is no stopping us. Before we know it, we are being led down a rabbit hole. It’s wonderful. We have members swapping recipes, plants and I have learnt something new from every one of the Book Club members.

How should someone prepare before joining a book club discussion?

It is useful to have read the book beforehand but honestly, if you haven’t had time or haven’t finished the book, you’re still welcome to come along, although I cannot guarantee there won’t be spoilers.

Do you need to buy the books to be discussed beforehand (some can be quite expensive)?

Yes, you do but I do take the price of books into consideration before selecting them. I like to keep books around the £10 price range, but I certainly wouldn’t like to recommend an expensive book. I try to secure discounts when possible but unfortunately this isn’t the case for every book.

What are the books that you refer to most often yourself?

I love Margi Flint’s The Practicing Herbalist. That is an expensive book but one I refer to all the time. I also love any of Matthew Wood’s books, the books by Lucy Jones and The Modern Herbal Dispensary by Thomas Easley.

What’s the book you’d love to read but haven’t yet seen published?

I and others in the book club would love to read about a medical herbalist set in a present-day fiction novel.