The County Library discussion

It’s been an unseasonably warm winter and the tulips are already popping up out of the ground so with the spring equinox on March 20th, this month’s challenge is to read a book related to spring: look for books with floral colors, start your gardening plans or celebrate the equinox.

Floral covers has been a trend for awhile, so there’s many lists with lots of options across the genres:
Floral Covers: https://www.goodreads.com/list/tag/fl...

Cozy mystery reader? The Gardener's Plot is a new debut title that takes place in a community garden in the Berkshires. Or if you like something darker, discover the inspiration gardens have given mystery writers over the years in Gardening Can Be Murder.

If dark, psychological dystopian books are more your vibe, check out The Garden.

Plan an equinox celebration with The Solstice Yearbook: A year of rituals, festivals and ancient magic for modern life. Or if you have kids in the home, learn with them how the spring equinox has been celebrated through the centuries with A New Beginning: Celebrating the Spring Equinox.

Convinced you have a black thumb? This book may solve your woes: RHS You Will Be Able to Garden By the End of This Book. If you’re adamant you’re a lost cause or dislike getting your hands dirty, enjoy another author’s exploration of the world that exists in her own garden in Journeys to the Nearby: A Gardener Discovers the Gentle Art of Untravelling.

Salt Lake County Library’s Seed Libraries start March 2nd (https://www.slcolibrary.org/events/se...) so visit a branch with a seed library to pick up seeds for your own garden.

Let us know what you’ve chosen to read!

I'm going to read Grandpa Alan's Sugar Shack by Alan Page. Nothing says spring like tapping maple trees and boiling the sap down into sugar. Yum Yum.

Another great choice would be The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh. An excellent book!

I look at plants and they die. I weeded a bush, and it died. My longest surviving Mother's Day plant lasted 6 months, and it was plastic.

Audrey wrote: "I look at plants and they die. I weeded a bush, and it died. My longest surviving Mother's Day plant lasted 6 months, and it was plastic."

My sister had the same problem. You are not alone.

Audrey wrote: "I look at plants and they die. I weeded a bush, and it died. My longest surviving Mother's Day plant lasted 6 months, and it was plastic."

Same!

I read The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt.

Not a fan.

I finished Grandpa Alan's Sugar Shack by Alan Page ( Review )

I will read The Garden of Small Beginnings by Abbi Waxman. Completed 3/15

Debbie wrote: "I finished Grandpa Alan's Sugar Shack by Alan Page ( Review ) " A perfect pick for this time of year!

Em wrote: "Another great choice would be The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh. An excellent book!"
Agreed! Great recommendation.

Treesa posted this on the February thread, but meant to post it here, "I read a children's book, Escargot And The Search For Spring."

Thank you, Elizabeth.

Last month, I listened to the Readers Choice book "The Garden," and really liked it - I should have waited until March! That's okay, though. I just read the picture book, "Leonard Grows a Haunted Garden," by Mike Ciccotello, which was pretty good. I liked the illustrations.

I read The muddle-headed Wombat in the springtime By Ruth Park.
This book is part of a series that my husband brought home from Australia.

Linda wrote: "I read The muddle-headed Wombat in the springtime By Ruth Park.
This book is part of a series that my hu..."
That series looks fun! And a fun bonus that it's from another country!

Darin wrote: "Last month, I listened to the Readers Choice book "The Garden," and really liked it - I should have waited until March! That's okay, though. I just read the picture book, "Leonard Grows a Haunted G..."
I like that you chose chose two "creepy" garden books! Though the picture book looks much more fun and less unsettling than The Garden.

Darin wrote: "Last month, I listened to the Readers Choice book "The Garden," and really liked it - I should have waited until March! That's okay, though. I just read the picture book, "Leonard Grows a Haunted G..."

I'm still waiting for that one. Maybe I'll do The Secret Garden again if it doesn't show up in time.

I am going to read The Language of Flowers.

I read The Ten Thousand Doors of January. I bought it for the beautiful floral cover and had no idea what it was about, but I ended up enjoying it!

Natalie wrote: "I read The Ten Thousand Doors of January. I bought it for the beautiful floral cover and had no idea what it was about, but I ended up enjoying it!" Oh that's a great one!

Just a reminder to everyone that the month is wrapping up! Make sure to post the book you read for the March challenge by the 31st!

I had a busy month and didn't have time to fit in a full read. I may get a picture book in before the end of the month...we'll see.

I listened to the audio book Gardening Can Be Murder by Marta McDowell. I enjoyed learning about so many mysteries with gardens in them. I added many of these books to my “want to read” list. 🪴 💚

Rachel wrote: "I listened to the audio book Gardening Can Be Murder by Marta McDowell. I enjoyed learning about so many mysteries with gardens in them. I added many of these books to my “want to read” list. 🪴 💚"

From the title, I assumed it was just a traditional, delightful-looking cozy mystery. But from your description, I looked at the book itself. What a delightful idea for a non-fiction book looking at the topics of mysteries. A cozy mystery addict, I may just have to pick up this one as a resource!

Do we have a topic for April?

Rachel wrote: "I listened to the audio book Gardening Can Be Murder by Marta McDowell. I enjoyed learning about so many mysteries with gardens in them. I added many of these books to my “want to read” list. 🪴 💚" Oh I'm glad you liked it! The premise was so fascinating!

Ellen, it was a great read, thanks! Debbie, yes, highly recommend!

Tomorrow Is April 1. Do we have a challenge?

I re-read The Secret Garden.

Congratulations to our March 2026 prize winner! Linda read The muddle-headed Wombat in the springtime by Ruth Park (from Australia!) to complete this month's challenge!

Linda, please let me know which library branch is most convenient for you to pick up your book from. Once I’ve heard from you, I’ll alert the appropriate library so they can expect you. If you'd prefer not to post the branch or have any questions, feel free to contact me (Ellen) at the Holladay Library Branch.

Thank you all for participating in this month's challenge!

Looking forward to what everyone chooses to read for April!

Linda wrote: "Tomorrow Is April 1. Do we have a challenge?" The new challenge is up! https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...