Welcome to the Curiosity Coven Book Club! We're a community of witches and environmentalists who share a commitment to living more consciously—making choices that honor our bodies, our health, and the planet we all share. Follow along for monthly book recommendations and reading discussions.
April Book Club Pick: The Hidden Life of Trees by Peter Wohlleben
This bestseller reveals something magical: forests are social networks where trees communicate, support each other, and thrive as families. It'll change how you see the woods forever.
Forester and author Peter Wohlleben convincingly makes the case that, yes, the forest is a social network. He draws on groundbreaking scientific discoveries to describe how trees are like human families: tree parents live together with their children communicate with them, support them as they grow, share nutrients with those who are sick or struggling, and even warn each other of impending dangers. Wohlleben also explains the amazing processes of life, death, and regeneration that he has observed in his woodland.
The author, as told to Publishers Weekly:
“I hope my book will continue to inspire people to see forests as a place of refuge when we need to emotionally recharge, and as a model of interdependence and cooperation—the kind of society we should all be striving for.”
We couldn’t think of a better pick for April, a time for awakening and new growth.
Your Reading Companion: White Lodge Scented Veil
Rain-kissed fir and cedarwood essential oils blend together in this tranquil room and body spray. Ground yourself in the botanical magic of a pacific rainforest as you settle into your favorite reading nook. Spritz over your pillows, mist your body, or pour a capful into a warm bath for maximum immersion within the woodland realm.
Book Club Discussion Questions: The Secret Life of Trees
- What do you think is the most important lesson that human society can adopt from the lives of trees?
- Fungi, while functioning as the "wood wide web," can allow trees to communicate and share crucial survival information. However, they can also damage trees by invading the bark and causing rot. How does this relationship reflect or parallel the one that humans have with the internet and/or social media?
- Peter mentions how a number of forest conservationist methods that help trees in the short-term actually damage a forest's long-term health. In the forest that he works with in Hümmel, Peter has banned machines and only allows log removal by horses. In general, do you think that technological advancements work with nature or against it?
- Did you have any misconceptions about trees that were changed by reading The Secret Life of Trees? If so, what were they? How did it feel to have your perspective shifted?
- Will your interactions within (or feelings towards) woodland habitats change after reading this book? How so, and why?
Shop Local
Please support your local independent bookstore. Wohlleben credits indie booksellers with discovering and championing his work from the start.
Once you've finished, join the discussion in the comments below, or continue the conversation on Instagram or Reddit. And if you loved it, check out the 2020 documentary.
Happy reading!
—The Sea Witches
