Spring Reads for Ostara

“'Is the spring coming?' he said. 'What is it like?'

'It is the sun shining on the rain and the rain falling on the sunshine.'”

Frances Hodgson Burnett

Spring means more time to linger over books in the first warm sunshine, and savouring stories that tell of emerging nature and the promise of the warmer months ahead. I loved sharing my cosy reads for the festive season with you so thought I would share five books that feel right to read at this Ostara time of year too.

‘The Secret Garden’, Frances Hodgson Burnett

I was raised on classic children’s literature and ‘The Secret Garden’ was a favourite, rendering childhood emotions and experiences authentically. But the headstrong Mary Lennox and the transformation that she undergoes through nature has a lot that speaks to grown-ups too. If you’ve not read it then I couldn’t recommend it more as a Springtime read!

‘Spring’, Ali Smith

I’ve mentioned the seasonal quartet by Ali Smith before - and for good reason: they really are modern classics that combine contemporary politics and making you think with wonderful creativity and quirk! This is the third book in the series and combines Brexit, Shakespeare references and beautiful descriptions of the season.

‘A Poem for Every Spring Day’, edited by Allie Esiri

I just adore Allie Esiri’s seasonal poetry collections. The one for Spring covers March, April and May. Some poems are selected for being evocative of the time of year, while others relate to important dates in the calendar such as International Women’s Day, with a thematically linked poem to celebrate. I don’t know how Esiri chooses just one poem for each day! A beautiful and thoughtful selection of poems for dipping in and out of through the season.

‘Chocolat’, Joanne Harris

This book always reminds me of the lead-up to Easter as the arrival of character Vianne Rocher in Lansquenet-sous-Tannes coincides with the beginning of Lent. In the week before Easter she prepares a storybook feast, complete with chocolate fondue and chocolate ice cream with coffee, that epitomises Spring celebrating. Not one to read if you’re hungry!

‘The Nature of Spring’, Jim Crumley

Jim Crumley’s non-fictional accounts of the changing seasons in Scotland in all their wild, elemental beauty resonate at each time of year. This edition tells of a Spring in the Highlands that is far from idyllic, as Crumley shares the impact of climate chaos on the natural world. This book urges us towards action, and is one to read and inspire.

Do you have any books that remind you of Spring and feel right to read just now?

P.S. Apologies to the eight of you dedicated individuals who have read this already - for some reason this posted but did not send as an email, which I had scheduled to send when I was away!