Books Swarming with Bees
I get it, bugs make peoples’ skin crawl. But there’s something magical about bees in books. From this safe distance we can romanticize these fascinating and utterly essential creatures. And there are some wonderful stories out there that proudly use these buzzy little bodies to infuse magic, teach lessons, and make us feel warm and fuzzy—despite the whole bug thing. Below is a small list of my favorite books that are swarming with bees.
Books Swarming with Bees
Don’t be scared. Instead, dive into these lovely stories of family, strength, persistence, adventure, and love that all use bees as a backbone.
The Beekeeper’s Apprentice by Laurie R. King
I know I’ve yapped about Persuasion and my undying love for Jane Austen. However, I don’t think I’ve ever gushed over my one true love: Sherlock Holmes. As a child, my dad would read Sherlock Holmes’ adventures to me and my siblings and the detective has had a special place in my heart ever since. So when I stumbled across the first book in this delicious series, it was an instant buy. And bees play a major role. The protagonist, a whip-smart, slightly frustrated, slightly traumatized Mary Russell bumps into a retired Sherlock Holmes by accident—while he’s studying bees. The two instantly connect over intelligent conversation and are launched into a wild and dangerous adventure. I love every word of this book and I’m slowly making my way through the series.
PC: Elaine Atherholt, austen, etc.
The Ardent Swarm by Yamen Manai
Wildly relevant to today’s events, The Ardent Swarm uses bees and the invasion of their hives as a metaphor for invading cultures, toxic ideology, and the destruction of something that is thriving. Following Sidi who keeps bees in the North African village of Nawa, the story takes us around the world as he seeks a solution to the invading population of hornets that are destroying his bee hives. It’s beautifully written, with colorful characters, and a great snapshot of a point in history we rarely hear about.
The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd
In my humble opinion, everyone should read this book! It’s just so good. And bees connect these characters in such a beautiful way. Left alone with her abusive father after her mother’s death, Lily has a dark secret and she yearns to find a place of healing, forgiveness, and family. She escapes her hometown with Rosaleen and follows clues left by her mother to a family of sisters who tend bees and sell their honey. Lily’s world is transformed by the pure, sweet love of these sisters who teach about the secret life of bees.
PC: Elaine Atherholt, austen,etc.
The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern
Bees play a smaller part in The Starless Sea but they add a wonderful magic to the story and environment. When Zachary finds a book with his own story recorded in its pages, he dives into the world of mysteries, cities and seas, lovers, and a realm of secrets and stories. This realm is under threat, and Zachary must protect it and find his purpose. The twists and turns and multiple storylines of this book create an engaging and irresistible story.
Books with Bees
I’m sure there are hundreds of books out there that include and revolve around bees, but this small collection is a fantastic place to begin. Let me know your thoughts and suggestions so we can love these beautiful bugs from afar and melt into the stories they help create.
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