Monday Moods is a weekly bookish meme created and hosted by Unwrapping Words (aka, me!). The premise is simple: every week, there’s a new ‘mood’, ranging from tropes to genres or actual moods (happy, sad, etc). On a Monday, feel free to post about books on your TBR, books you’d recommend, or a mix – whatever you like – that fits the ‘mood’ prompt. And of course, you can use your own if you’re not fussed on a particular one!
With today being International Plant Appreciation Day, it felt fitting to dedicate this week’s Monday Moods to, well, plants! Plants feature in plenty of books, as a crucial part of the story, as hobbies for characters or simply adorning the covers we love to stare at so much.
As an extra note…did you know that tomorrow marks ONE YEAR since the first Monday Moods? I can’t believe how fast the time’s gone! And I have to admit, I’m extra happy with myself for being able to come up with a year of prompts. That said, if you have any suggestions, feel free to comment below or on the main Monday Moods page.
This Week, I’m in the Mood For…
Plants
Homegrown Magic
Jamie Pacton & Rebecca Podos
Genre: Fantasy Romance
Age: Adult
Format: ebook
Published: 11th March, 2025
I Want to Read This Because queer romantic fantasy with friends-to-lovers, found family, rival family drama, and cosy garden magic…yes please! Really, what more could a girl ask for?
A Thief and a Gentleman
Arden Powell
Genre: Fantasy Romance
Age: Adult
Format: ebook
Published: 24th July, 2023
I Want to Read This Because more queer romance! But also 1920s universe infused with magic – sign me right up! I also love the use of flowers on the cover, the garden we see these two men in. This has been on my TBR for quite a while, so I’m excited to finally get to it.
Oleander
Jennifer Allis Provost
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Age: Adult
Format: ebook
Published: 14th June, 2022
I Want to Read This Because the title is, of course, taken from the flower, but what really draws me to this book is the concept of a private detective who is also a seer, and who draws the interest of mortal Dan. I feel like it’s rare to have paranormal woman x mortal man – usually either both are paranormal in some way, or the man is, but this one is different.
The Binding
Bridget Collins
Genre: Historical Fantasy
Age: Adult
Format: Paperback
Published: 7th January, 2019
I Want to Read This Because I remember spotting this in my local bookshop and being instantly drawn in by the cover, then gripped by the blurb on the back. Like many, many, err, too many of the books I pick up, this has been sitting at the side, patiently waiting for the day I read it. And I will! One day. I suspect I’ll quite enjoy it, too.
Eat the Ones You Love
Sarah Maria Griffin
Genre: Horror
Age: Adult
Format: ebook
Published: 22nd April, 2025
I Want to Read This Because that title! And plants with a taste of human flesh! Possibly demanding “feed me”. What’s not to love about this?
As always, throw me your recommendations, let me know the books featuring plants in some way, shape, form etc that you’ve loved, that are languishing on your TBR but you’re excited for, or the ones you’re currently reading! And are there any you’d suggest avoiding? What books do you think of when you think ‘plants’?
Unwrapping Words 