Mystic Brews & Literary Views Book Club

Mystic Brews & Literary Views is our online women's book club, offered exclusively through Wildflower Women, our Patreon community. Each month, women gather virtually for thoughtful conversation, beautiful storytelling, and the quiet joy of journeying through the seasons together.

Our 2026–2027 literary journey celebrates historical fiction infused with folklore, mystery, and the subtle magic found in nature, memory, and the stories women have carried across generations. Throughout the year, we'll travel through hidden libraries and ancient cathedrals, wander botanical gardens and untamed islands, and meet extraordinary women whose lives have been shaped by courage, curiosity, resilience, and the enduring wisdom of those who came before them.

On the last Monday of every month, we gather on Zoom for an hour of unhurried conversation. Alongside each book, we've chosen a companion tea inspired by the story and a seasonal reflection to gently guide our discussion—not as a lesson to be studied, but as an invitation to explore how these stories echo our own lives.

Read every book, read only the ones that call to you, or simply come to listen. There is no pressure, no homework, and no expectation beyond showing up as you are. Bring a cup of tea, settle into a comfortable chair, and join a welcoming circle of women who believe that the best conversations often begin with a good story.

Some stories change us while we are reading them.

Others quietly become part of who we are long after we've turned the final page.

2026–2027 Literary Journey

Women. History. Nature. Magic.

Some stories entertain us. Others linger quietly, becoming part of the way we see the world.

This year's literary journey is an invitation to spend twelve months exploring stories where remarkable women stand at the center of history—women whose courage, curiosity, and quiet wisdom illuminate forgotten corners of the past. Together, we'll wander through ancient libraries and hidden archives, walk beside botanists, midwives, healers, and storytellers, and discover landscapes where forests, flowers, islands, rivers, and mountains become characters in their own right.

These are novels that blur the line between history and folklore, where intuition is honored, the natural world offers both refuge and revelation, and what one generation dismisses as magic another recognizes as knowledge passed carefully from woman to woman.

Throughout the year, we'll follow the rhythm of the seasons.

  • Autumn leads us through hidden worlds, forgotten stories, and ancient mysteries.

  • Winter gathers us around the hearth to explore belonging, resilience, and the enduring wisdom of women.

  • Spring opens into gardens, botanical discovery, and lives transformed by the living world.

  • Summer invites us toward journeys, wonder, and the quiet hope found in places we never expected to call home.

Each gathering suggests a thoughtfully selected tea inspired by the month's story, along with seasonal reflections designed not to analyze literature, but to explore the ways these novels intersect with our own lives.

Whether you read every page or simply enjoy spending an evening in thoughtful conversation, you are warmly welcome. Bring your curiosity, your favorite mug, and a willingness to be surprised by the stories—and by one another.

Because the best books do more than tell us who someone else was.

They gently remind us who we are becoming.

How We Gather

  • One book each month, chosen with care and rooted in themes of nature, women's wisdom, seasonal living, and soft magick

  • We meet on Zoom the last Monday of each month for an hour of open, unhurried conversation

  • Access is through Wildflower Women (Wildflower Essence Level) on Patreon — the book club is one of many gifts of membership

  • No preparation required — come with the book finished, half-read, or simply curious about what everyone else thought

  • Read along on your own — even without joining Patreon, you're welcome to follow the monthly selections at your own pace

Autumn: Hidden Worlds • Ancient Wisdom • The Veil Between

  • The Secret Book Society by Madeline Martin

    SEPTEMBER 2026

    When a chance invitation leads to a small circle of readers, books become far more than stories on a shelf—they become doorways to friendship, healing, and unexpected transformation. Set against a backdrop of hidden libraries, quiet gatherings, and lives waiting to be rewritten, this enchanting novel celebrates the enduring magic of stories and the people who place them in our hands at exactly the right moment. Warm, hopeful, and filled with literary charm, it reminds us that the books we choose often end up choosing us.

    Tea Pairing: Earl Grey with Cornflower — classic, comforting, and quietly inspiring, like the opening pages of a beloved novel.

    Reflection & Conversation:

    • Have you ever found yourself changed by a book—or by the person who placed it in your hands?

    • As autumn begins and we gather for another year together, what new story are you hoping to step into?

  • The Cathedral of Lost Souls by Paula Brackston

    OCTOBER 2026

    Book two in the Hecate Cavendish series from New York Times bestselling author Paula Brackston.

    As autumn deepens and the veil between worlds begins to feel a little thinner, Hecate Cavendish returns in this haunting continuation of Paula Brackston's beloved series. Drawn once again into a world where history and the supernatural intertwine, Hecate finds herself confronting restless spirits, long-buried secrets, and mysteries hidden within the walls of an ancient cathedral. Rich with gothic atmosphere, folklore, and historical intrigue, this captivating novel explores the enduring power of memory, the courage to face what has been forgotten, and the quiet wisdom found in listening to voices others cannot hear.

    Tea Pairing: Lavender Earl Grey — fragrant and grounding, with just enough mystery to accompany an autumn evening.

    Reflection & Conversation:

    • What parts of the past—whether personal, ancestral, or historical—continue to shape the person you are becoming?

    • How do we learn to honor those stories without allowing them to define our future?


  • The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern

    NOVEMBER 2026

    When graduate student Zachary Ezra Rawlins discovers a mysterious book containing a story from his own childhood, he is drawn into a hidden world of underground libraries, secret doors, ancient myths, and stories that have been waiting centuries to be found. Erin Morgenstern's richly imagined novel is less a straight path than a labyrinth—one filled with bees, keys, moons, and forgotten harbors where every story leads to another. Dreamlike, lyrical, and deeply symbolic, The Starless Sea is a celebration of storytelling itself and an invitation to consider the unseen threads that connect our lives across time.

    Tea Pairing: Russian Caravan — smoky, layered, and mysterious, echoing the novel's winding passages and hidden chambers.

    Reflection & Conversation:

    • If your life were part of an endless library, what story would you hope future generations would discover?

    • How do the stories we inherit—and the ones we choose to tell—shape the people we become?

Winter: Hearth • Wisdom • Quiet Courage

  • The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune

    DECEMBER 2026

    Linus Baker has spent his life following the rules—until an unexpected assignment leads him to a secluded island where six extraordinary children and their enigmatic caretaker challenge everything he believes about family, belonging, and what it means to truly see another person. Filled with warmth, quiet humor, and a touch of magic, this enchanting novel reminds us that home is not simply a place, but a feeling we create through kindness, acceptance, and love. Gentle yet profound, it is a story that invites us to celebrate the beauty of being exactly who we are.

    Tea Pairing: Vanilla Rooibos — warm, comforting, and gently sweet, perfect for a cozy winter evening by the fire.

    Reflection & Conversation:

    • Where—or with whom—have you experienced the deepest sense of belonging?

    • How has accepting yourself, or being accepted by others, changed the course of your own story?

  • The Familiars by Stacey Halls

    JANUARY 2027

    IInspired by the true events of the Pendle witch trials of 1612, Stacey Halls' captivating debut transports readers to a world where women's knowledge of herbs, healing, and midwifery is feared as much as it is needed. When young noblewoman Fleetwood Shuttleworth forms an unexpected friendship with Alice Gray, a skilled local midwife, the two women find themselves bound together as suspicion and superstition threaten to destroy lives. Rich with historical detail, folklore, and the enduring strength of female friendship, The Familiars is a beautifully written novel about courage, intuition, and the quiet wisdom that women have carried through generations.

    Tea Pairing: Rosemary, Sage & Honey — earthy and warming, honoring the herbal traditions, resilience, and quiet strength woven throughout the story.

    Reflection & Conversation:

    • What forms of wisdom—whether learned from family, community, or your own life—have shaped who you are today?

    • How can we honor and preserve the knowledge that is so often passed from one woman to another, especially in a world that does not always recognize its value?

  • The Witches of Cambridge by Alice Hoffman

    FEBRUARY 2027

    Set in seventeenth-century New England, The Witches of Cambridge transports readers to a community where fear and suspicion threaten to silence women whose knowledge, independence, and quiet strength set them apart. As whispers of witchcraft spread through the town, long-held friendships, family loyalties, and deeply rooted beliefs are put to the test. Richly atmospheric and inspired by the tensions of colonial America, this compelling historical novel explores the fragile line between faith and fear, the power of women's voices, and the courage it takes to remain true to oneself when the world demands conformity.

    Tea Pairing: Cinnamon, Clove & Orange Black Tea — warming and quietly spiced, reflecting the long winter evenings and the novel's blend of history, mystery, and resilience.

    Reflection & Conversation:

    • History often reveals how easily fear can overshadow compassion and understanding.

    • What can this story teach us about recognizing prejudice, protecting those whose voices are overlooked, and honoring the wisdom that is often found outside accepted traditions?

Spring: Renewal • Curiosity • Becoming

  • The Alchemy of Flowers by Laura Resau

    MARCH 2027

    In this enchanting novel, flowers become far more than beautiful blooms—they are keepers of memory, symbols of hope, and quiet companions in life's seasons of love, loss, and renewal. Blending historical fiction with botanical lore, The Alchemy of Flowers celebrates the healing power of the natural world and the remarkable women who have long understood its hidden language. Rich with themes of resilience, transformation, and the enduring connection between people and plants, this lyrical story invites us to consider the ways beauty and healing often emerge from the most unexpected places.

    Tea Pairing: Elderflower & Lemon Balm — fresh, floral, and gently restorative, capturing the promise of spring and the quiet magic of gardens awakening.

    Reflection & Conversation:

    • Flowers have long been used to express emotions, preserve memories, and mark life's most meaningful moments. What role has the natural world played in your own seasons of healing or transformation?

    • How might we become more attentive to the quiet wisdom and beauty that surrounds us each day?

  • The Signature of All Things by Elizabeth Gilbert

    APRIL 2027

    Spanning much of the nineteenth century, The Signature of All Things follows the extraordinary life of Alma Whittaker, a brilliant botanist whose insatiable curiosity leads her to explore the mysteries of plants, evolution, and the natural world. From grand estates to distant lands, Alma's journey is one of scientific discovery, intellectual passion, and profound personal growth. Richly researched and beautifully written, this sweeping historical novel celebrates the women whose quiet contributions have shaped our understanding of the living world while inviting us to marvel at the intricate connections between nature, knowledge, and the human spirit.

    Tea Pairing: Green Tea with Mint — fresh, vibrant, and restorative, reflecting the energy of spring and the wonder of a garden in full awakening.

    Reflection & Conversation:

    • Curiosity has the power to transform not only what we know, but who we become. What questions or passions have guided your own life?

    • How does spending time in the natural world deepen your sense of wonder, purpose, or connection?

  • Isola by Allegra Goodman

    MAY 2027

    Inspired by the remarkable true story of Marguerite de La Rocque, Isola follows a young French noblewoman whose life is forever changed when she is abandoned on a remote island in the sixteenth century. Stripped of comfort and certainty, Marguerite must learn to trust her own ingenuity, draw strength from the natural world, and discover a resilience she never knew she possessed. Beautifully written and deeply immersive, this unforgettable work of historical fiction is a story of endurance, hope, and the extraordinary capacity of women to reclaim their lives even in the harshest of circumstances.

    Tea Pairing: Wildflower Honey & Thyme Tea — bright, herbal, and quietly resilient, echoing the untamed landscape and the strength that blossoms within it.

    Reflection & Conversation:

    • The natural world can be both unforgiving and profoundly sustaining. When have life's greatest challenges revealed strengths you didn't know you possessed?

    • How do solitude, perseverance, and our relationship with the land shape the people we become?

Summer: Freedom, Friendship & Feminine Power

  • The Astral Library by Kate Quinn

    JUNE 2027

    Hidden beyond the ordinary world lies a library unlike any other—a place where forgotten knowledge, celestial mysteries, and the stories of countless lives are carefully preserved among the stars. Blending historical intrigue with imagination and quiet magic, The Astral Library invites readers on a journey through secret archives, enduring friendships, and the timeless search for truth and belonging. Filled with wonder and the promise of discovery, this enchanting novel reminds us that every story has the power to illuminate our own.

    Tea Pairing: Butterfly Pea Flower & Lavender Tea — luminous, floral, and a little otherworldly, reflecting the novel's celestial beauty and sense of wonder.

    Reflection & Conversation:

    • Libraries preserve more than books—they safeguard memory, wisdom, and the stories that shape who we are. What knowledge or story has become part of your own life's journey?

    • How do wonder, curiosity, and imagination continue to guide you toward new discoveries?

  • The Midnight Train by Matt Haig

    JULY 2027

    As summer reaches its height, The Midnight Train invites readers on a journey where unexpected encounters, long-buried memories, and the promise of new beginnings converge beneath a starlit sky. Rich with heart and quiet mystery, this evocative novel explores the paths we choose, the people who shape our lives, and the courage it takes to step into the unknown. Both intimate and hopeful, it reminds us that every journey—whether across great distances or within ourselves—has the power to transform us.

    Tea Pairing: Peach White Tea — light, fragrant, and refreshing, capturing the warmth of midsummer and the anticipation of new horizons.

    Reflection & Conversation:

    • Life often changes through a single unexpected journey or encounter. When has saying "yes" to the unknown led you somewhere you never imagined?

    • How do the journeys we take—both outward and inward—shape the stories we carry with us?

  • The Night Watch by Jayne Anne Phillips

    AUGUST 2027

    Winner of the Pulitzer Prize, Night Watch is a luminous work of historical fiction set in the aftermath of the Civil War. As a mother and daughter seek refuge in the mountains of West Virginia, their lives unfold through a story told in reverse, gradually revealing the courage, sacrifice, and resilience that brought them there. Richly atmospheric and deeply rooted in the Appalachian landscape, the novel explores the enduring bonds between women, the power of memory, and the quiet ways healing begins after unimaginable loss. With lyrical prose and unforgettable characters, it reminds us that even in life's darkest seasons, hope often takes root in the places where we least expect it.

    Tea Pairing: Blackberry Sage Tea — earthy, wild, and gently grounding, echoing the rugged beauty of the Appalachian mountains and the enduring strength of the women who call them home.

    Reflection & Conversation:

    As we conclude another year of reading together, Night Watch invites us to consider the stories that shape us across generations.

    • How do resilience, place, and the love of those who came before us continue to influence the lives we live today?

    • In what ways can the natural world become both a refuge and a witness to our healing?

Our Year in Books

Curious about everything we read? Below you’ll find the full list of our past selections. Whether you read along quietly on your own or joined us for every gathering, these books were chosen for the questions they stirred, the stories they carried, and the strength, spirit, and mystery of the women at their center. Feel free to explore them in your own rhythm—each one offered its own kind of magic.

2025-2026 Reading List

  • September 2025: The Haunting of Hecate Cavendish by Paula Brackston

  • October 2025: The Dictionary of Lost Words by Pip Williams

  • November 2025: Once Upon a River by Diane Setterfield

  • December 2025: The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey

  • January 2026: Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt

  • February 2026: The Keeper of Lost Things by Ruth Hogan

  • March 2026: The Minuscule Mansion of Myra Malone by Audrey Burges

  • April 2026: The Mermaid Chair by Sue Monk Kidd

  • May 2026: Where the Forest Meets the Stars by Glendy Vanderah

  • June 2026: The Book of Form and Emptiness by Ruth Ozeki

  • July 2026: The Mysterious Bakery on Rue de Paris by Jenny Colgan

  • August 2026: The Briar Club by Kate Quinn

2024-2025 Reading List

  • September 2024: Hester, by Laurie Lico Albanese

  • October 2024: Practical Magic, by Alice Hoffman

  • November 2024: When Women Were Dragons, by Kelly Barnhill

  • December 2024: The Lost Bookshop, by Evie Woods

  • January 2025: The Invisible Life of Addie Larue, by V.E. Schwab

  • February 2025: The Covenant of Water, by Dr. Abraham Verghese

  • March 2025: Weyword, by Emelia Hart

  • April 2025: The Once and Future Witches, by Alix E. Harrow

  • May 2025: The Consequence of Anna, by Kate Birkin

  • June 2025: Remarkable Creatures, by Tracy Chevalier

  • July 2025: The Secret Life of Sunflowers, by Marta Molnar

  • August 2025: The Rose Garden, by Susanna Kearsley