In 2020, we ask readers to push the boundaries of what they thought they knew and dive into the wacky, weird, and wild world of plants.

Semiosis and Weird Plants book covers

This year, we are thrilled to announce our first science fiction selection—Semiosis by Sue Burke. A tale of first contact, Sue Burke’s debut science fiction novel follows a group of colonists forced to land on a planet they aren't prepared for, where plants are the dominant life forms and humans are their pawns. Semiosis is a generation-spanning sci-fi tale, told through the lens of multiple perspectives across the first 107 years of settlement.

“Original, gripping, and gloriously unpredictable.”

—Mira Grant, New York Times bestselling author of Parasite

For our nonfiction fans, a compilation book titled Weird Plants showcases weird, mysterious and bizarre plants from around the globe. Through the combination of author Chris Thorogood’s jarring illustrations and botanical expertise, these fantastic plants seem to leap off the page and come to life.

“This isn’t a book about pretty wallflowers who sit on the sidelines waiting to be attended to. These are rude plants. They’ve got backbone.”

—Cent Magazine on Weird Plants

The Enormous Potato book cover

For our youngest readers, professional storyteller Aubrey Davis reimagines one of our favorite folk tales, The Enormous Potato. This humorous tale begins with a farmer who plants an eye—a potato eye. It grows and grows into an enormous potato. Harvest time comes, but the potato is so big that the farmer can't pull it out. So he calls for help, first to his wife, then to their daughter, then to the dog, and so on.

Read one (or all!) of these books with us. Share with your family and friends. Start a discussion. Engage in one of the many events throughout the region from March to May 2020.

Follow us @LongwoodGardens and share your ideas using the hashtag #CommunityRead.