by Damla
“Tea … is a religion of the art of life.”
– The Book of Tea
A cozy, heart-warming International Tea Day to all!
Whether it is a symbol for a warm cup of comfort, a foundation stone of cultural rituals, or a golden opportunity for trade (and for political uprisings!), the small tea leaf carries a big significance throughout its millenia-old history.
And so, every year, the 21st of May celebrates the International Tea Day, as adopted by the United Nations FAO. The day focuses on spreading awareness of its history, its impact on today’s economy and society, and a regard to its sustainable future.
In celebration of this humble (but delicious) plant, brew a cup of our special ABC blend (created by our friends at Inproc, and available at all our stores!) and relax as we give you the tea on the best books that feature this magical brew.
Tea: A Global History – Helen Saberi
“Tea: A Global History is a well-illustrated, concise exploration of the rich and fascinating history of tea. Helen Saberi describes the many varieties of tea consumed around the world, from Indian chai to Burmese pickled lephet tea, and from brick tea to Taiwanese ‘bubble tea’ and looks at the economic and social uses of tea.”
A Magic Steeped In Poison – Judy I. Lin
“Discover this sweeping debut steeped in Chinese mythology, the enchanting power of brewing tea, and a magical tournament to decide a country’s fate.”
Tea Magic: Cozy Spells in a Cup – Chloé Zarka Grinsnir
“There’s nothing quite like a steaming cup of tea on a brisk day but it can also be a potent form of spellcraft. The act of creating the perfect brew, if done with intention, can lead to happy days, boost energy, or even help develop intuition.”
Can’t Spell Treason Without Tea – Rebecca Thorne
“All Reyna and Kianthe want is to open a bookshop that serves tea. Worn wooden floors, plants on every table, firelight drifting between the rafters… all complemented by love and good company. If only the world would let them. But leaving their lives isn’t so easy, when one is the Queen’s private guard and the other a powerful mage.”
This heartwarming adventure continues on with two more books with wonderfully punny titles (namely, A Pirate’s Life For Tea and Tea You At The Altar) with the fourth installation of the series (called Alchemy and A Cup of Tea) coming this August.
The Tea Dragon Society – K. O’Neill
“After discovering a lost tea dragon in the marketplace, Greta learns about the dying art form of tea dragon care-taking from the kind tea shop owners, Hesekiel and Erik. As she befriends them and their shy ward, Minette, Greta sees how the craft enriches their lives — and eventually her own.”
Monk and Robot ( A Psalm for the Wild-Built + A Prayer for the Crown-Shy ) – Becky Chambers
“One day, the life of a tea monk is upended by the arrival of a robot, whose kind have centuries since disappeared into the wilds and has returned there to honor the old promise of checking in. The robot cannot go back until the question of “what do people need?” is answered.”
This gorgeously cozy and much beloved series by Becky Chambers is now bound together in paperback format for the first time.
The Cybernetic Tea Shop – Meredith Katz
“A F/F retro-future sci-fi asexual romance. A story about artificial intelligence and real kindness, about love, and the feeling of watching steam rising softly from a teacup on a bright and quiet morning.”
Prefer decaf? Check out these titles that aren’t strictly tea-related, but serve a delicious cuppa nonetheless:
The Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy – Douglas Adams
“When Earth is destroyed to make way for a Hyperspatial express route, Arthur Dent discovers that space is big, as he is taken on a hair-raising tour of the Galaxy and it’s very strange inhabitants, by his friend Ford Prefect, who turns out to be an alien.”
When Arthur is facing the loss of his world, along with everything and everyone he knew with it, his first instinct is to seek comfort in a cup of tea on the spaceship he finds himself on. The Nutri-matic fails its first attempt miserably, although if you read on to the second book of the series, there is hope for Arthur’s cuppa just yet!
Ancillary Justice – Ann Leckie
“Years ago, Breq was the Justice of Toren – a colossal starship and an artificial intelligence controlling thousands of soldiers in the service of the Radch, the empire that conquered the galaxy. An act of treachery has ripped it all away, leaving her with only one fragile human body. But that might just be enough to take revenge against those who destroyed her.”
In the powerful empire of Radch, tea is a symbol of high civilization. It is diplomacy, respect, status, and of course a symbol for colonization. Even in this universe, tea leaves shape the political and economic landscapes.
City of Stairs – Robert Jackson Bennett
“Renowned scholar Dr. Efrem Pangui is dead, murdered for his research in Bulikov, the city of stairs. Now only one woman is willing to pursue the truth – but it is likely to cost her everything.”
A smart, capable protagonist who would give Sherlock a run for his money, all while sipping on some tea at every opportunity? Yes, please!
Need a refill? Also check out these titles:
