Buzz-Worthy Reads 🐝

Looking for your next great read?? Here’s a roundup of a few of our favorite essays and books about honeybees! 📚 

This lyrical essay weaves together personal grief, climate anxiety, and an old European beekeeping tradition: telling the bees about births, deaths, and departures. Polk explores how rituals help us stay connected to a world in crisis, with bees as quiet witnesses to our joys and sorrows. A moving meditation on loss, resilience, and interdependence. 

Access this essay through this link:  https://emergencemagazine.org/essay/telling-the-bees/ 

Though it’s a work of fiction, this coming-of-age novel uses honeybees and beekeeping as a central, symbolic thread. Set in 1960s South Carolina, it’s a story about race, motherhood, and finding a sense of belonging—with a trio of fiercely independent beekeeping sisters at its heart. 

In this engaging natural history, biologist Thor Hanson explores the diverse world of bees beyond the familiar honeybee. He delves into the evolution, behavior, and ecological importance of various bee species, highlighting their crucial role in pollination and the challenges they face, such as habitat loss and pesticide exposure. Hanson's storytelling is both informative and accessible, making complex scientific concepts relatable to a broad audience. 

Part memoir, part beekeeping history, and part honey-lover’s ode, this book is a warm, witty journey into beekeeping and the world of honey. Bishop even spends time working with a Florida beekeeper to bring first-hand knowledge to life. It’s the perfect blend of history, science, and storytelling. 

In this 92-page memoir, our founder Charles Mraz shares his decades-long experience using bee venom to treat autoimmune diseases like arthritis and multiple sclerosis. Through personal anecdotes and case histories, Mraz offers insights into the therapeutic applications of bee products, advocating for their potential benefits in modern medicine. While not a substitute for professional medical advice, the book provides a compelling look at alternative healing practices rooted in nature. 

Get your copy today on our website: