Floriferous Ideas: The Book Pharmacy

A bookish prescription for ailments of the mind.

I discovered this lovely website recently, selling glass jars containing poetry wrapped up to look like little pills…My love of poetry and these beautiful Poetry Pharmacy books will probably feature in a future, rambley post. I was inspired to create a little poetry pharmacy of my own.

• Prescribed for feelings of despair: Ask Again, Yes - Mary Beth Keane.
  The storyline addresses the fault lines in the complex lives of its characters. It’s a raw but compelling story about the shared experiences that create unbreakable bonds and completely intertwine people’s lives. This story was a reminder for me that with the right people around you, you can navigate lifes toughest challenges.

• Prescribed for an anxious mind: The High House - Jessie Greengrass.
  This novel is perfect for reflection and gratitude - there is something lyrical, heart-breaking and comforting all at once about this story. The strong bonds, the importance of self sufficiency and the care the characters show for their fragile lives is reflected and intertwined in the delicate prose. It was a captivating and thought provoking read, that reminds us to be grateful and to cherish all that we have.

• Prescribed for feelings of sadness or disappointment: Reasons To Go Outside - Esme King.
  This is an uplifting, heart-warming read. It is perfect if you are looking to emerge from a heavy or dark patch and you are looking for a soothing, mood boosting read to make you feel hopeful again.

• Prescribed for loneliness: The Dutch House - Ann Prachett

  The beautiful writing makes you feel enveloped into the family of the characters, almost as if you are part of their journey and completely immersed in their lives. The most compelling element of this novel is responsibility and sacrifice of being part of a family and all of the things you do for the ones you love.

• Prescribed for when you need a dose of resilience: Sweet Sorrow - David Nicholls

  I have so many thoughts and feelings about this book. It made me laugh out loud and it made my heart ache. The coming of age, vast and looming sense of growing up, all of the opportunities but so many unknowns felt almost visceral, it was so well encapsulated in the writing and the story itself.

  I cried a lot…bawled…those big, ugly kind of tears!

  It felt quite nostalgic, but there is a hopeful tone throughout the book which felt like a metaphor for resilience, to keep making small steps, to never give up.

• Prescribed for when you are in need of Happiness and Joy: The Offing - Benjamin Meyers

  This book felt like taking a long walk along windswept sand dunes, it felt almost soothing and renewing to read. I adored Dulcies wild and wonderful ways! The story itself reinforces and appreciation for the little things, a welcome reminder of life’s beauty and magic to reinvigorate you.

• Prescribed when you are in need of courage: Everland - Rebecca Hunt

  Its pure escapism, it’s thrilling and I found this un-putdownable. A chance to escape reality and get lost in another world.

• Prescribed for a frazzled and over tired body and mind: Losing Eden - Lucy Jones

  A large dose of the great outdoors. A beautiful non-fiction book about the benefits of being outside and the importance of connecting with nature for our health and happiness. I read this during 2020 on a picnic blanket in my garden over a sunny weekend, it felt so poignant, It resonated with me and reminded me of the ways nature can heal you, even during the toughest times.

I would love to know what books would you prescribe if you opened your own little bookish pharmacy!