From the internationally bestselling author of Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop comes a warm and reflective collection of essays about reading, language and life.

Why do we read? What is it that we hope to take away from the intimate, personal experience of reading for pleasure?

Rarely do we ask these profound, expansive questions of ourselves and of our relationship to the joy of reading. But in this gentle, philosophical collection celebrating books, reading and language, Hwang Bo-reum doesn’t just tell us, but shows us what living a life immersed in reading means.

Every Day I Read provides many quiet moments for introspection and reflection, encourages book-lovers to explore what reading means to each of us. While this is a book about books, at its heart is an attitude to life, one outside capitalism and climbing the corporate ladder. Readers and non-readers will take away something from it, including a treasure trove of book recommendations blended seamlessly within.

Of course, we are entirely dependent on plants for our food and the air we breathe, but did you know that 5,000 mature English oak trees were used in the construction of Admiral Nelson’s flagship HMS Victory, or that sweet peas were involved in the birth of the science of genetics? King Cotton was the driver of the slave trade, which was the first domino to fall in the American Revolution, and cotton was also the catalyst for the Industrial Revolution. These, and many other extraordinary facts in Fifty Plants that Changed the Course of History, highlight the dynamic ways in which plants have influenced human history.

This beautifully designed and illustrated volume provides an engaging guide to the fifty key plants that have had the most impact on human history. Packed full of information, the book includes details about the habitat and characteristics of each plant, fact boxes, full colour photographs and lovely botanical illustrations. Weaving together strands of economic, political and agricultural history, each entry is a fascinating look at the most influential plants known to mankind.

De kerstklassieker voor het eerst in boekvorm

Murderers’ potions, symbols of prosperity, aphrodisiacs, and fairy furniture—mushrooms have captivated human imagination in countless ways. Discover the enchanting world of mushrooms in Fungi Lore by Sally Coulthard, the author of Floriography and Bird Lore.

This beautifully illustrated book delves into the magic, mythology, and mystery of fungi, revealing their profound influence on human history and culture. From the iconic Fly Agaric, with its fairy tale allure, to the grotesque Stinkhorn, emerging like a pungent spear, Sally Coulthard explores 50 of the world's most curious and mystical mushrooms. Learn about the Tippler’s Bane, a mushroom that turns an innocent drink into a lethal potion, and uncover how fungi have inspired medicine, magic, storytelling, and ancient customs.

Fungi Lore is more than a guide to well-known mushrooms; it's a journey through the hidden magic of one of nature’s most mysterious organisms. Perfect for nature enthusiasts, history buffs, and anyone captivated by the wonders of the natural world.