Books

A sentient house plant, a nostalgic family drama, a murder mansion... Your summer reading list sorted!

- Compiled by Crystal Matthews

Send Flowers
by Emily Buchanan
Eco-influencer @FoliageFifi – Fiona to her friends and family – hasn't left her apartment since her boyfriend Ed died. She's sunk deep into grief, shut away from everything except her jungle of house plants (and let's be honest, she could've done with one small comfort, but her mom whisked away her and Ed's cat Bruce – 'for his own safety', of course).

When a house plant mysteriously appears on her doorstep with an anonymous note attached, something shifts. It's not just any plant; it's Ed's favourite. Convinced it must be a sign, Fiona mixes Ed's ashes into the soil and wakes up the next morning to find the plant in full, impossible bloom. And talking. There's only one logical conclusion: Ed is back... as a house plant.

Plants have needs (sunlight, water, fresh air) and Fiona can't give him any of that from her dim, stale apartment. Determined not to lose Ed again, she forces herself back into the world, guided by Ed's blooming petals and surprisingly opinionated plant voice. But the more demanding he becomes, pushing her towards places and people she's been avoiding for good reason, the more Fiona begins to realise that keeping Ed 'alive' might mean sacrificing her own healing. How far do you go to keep something blooming when it might be holding you back?

I went into this book not having a clue what it was, half-expecting something light and fluffy based on the cover. It's not like that at all. It's a tender, quirky, surprisingly profound look at grief and how much we need real human connection when things go dark. And while the darkness feels endless when you're in it, this story gently reminds you it won't last forever.
– Eleanor le Riche

My Friends
by Fredrik Backman