Book Picks from the 2023 Literary Tea

Newton Public Library held a Literary Tea on Saturday, Feb. 25, at the Warkentin House Museum. Here is a list of the tea-themed books that we talked about!

Many of these books can be borrowed at Newton Public Library. Search our online catalog to check availability and place holds. Books that aren’t part of our collection can be ordered via interlibrary loan.

Mystery series recommended by Cathy:  All mystery series about women propelled by big life events into discerning what is really their “cup of tea” in life.

No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series by Alexander McCall Smith

Lady Julia Grey series by Deanna Raybourn

Veronica Speedwell series by Deanna Raybourn

 Amelia Peabody series by Elizabeth Peters

Science fiction/Fantasy recommended by Sam:

Ancillary Justice by Ann Leckie

Empire Games by Charles Stross

A Memory Called Empire by Arkady Martine

The Goblin Emperor by Katherine Addison

Historical fiction recommended by Darlene:

The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane by Lisa See

The Tea Planter’s Wife by Dinah Jeffries

Women’s fiction recommended by Kristin:  All about the friendships of women and doing life together. 

The Vintage Teacup Club by Vanessa Greene

The Jane Austen Society by Natalie Jenner & sequel The Bloomsbury Girls

The Little Teashop on Main by Jodi Thomas

Tea with the Dames DVD

Also at NPL:  Victoria Tea Essential Companion (641 Victoria), For All the Tea in China: How England Stole the World’s Favorite Drink and Changed History by Sarah Rose (382.413 Rose), Three Cups of Tea, by Greg Mortenson (371.823).

Recommended by Marlys & Alan:

Learn about Tea History & Culture:

 – The Tea Book by Linda Gaylard

 – The Tea Book: All Things Tea by Louise Cheadle

 – The Story of Tea by Mary Lou Heiss

 – Darjeeling by Jeff Koehler

 – The True History of Tea by Victor H. Mair & Erling Hoh

 – Tea: History, Terroirs & Varieties by Kevin Gascoyne

 – For All the Tea in China by Sarah Rose

 – Planet Food: The Story of Tea (DVD)

Enjoy a story that features tea drinking:

 – Tea Shop Mysteries series by Laura Childs

 – The No 1 Ladies Detective Agency series by Alexander McCall Smith (featuring African red bush tea)

And for the little tea lovers:

 – Miss Spider’s Tea Party by David Kirk

 – Tea Rex by Molly Idle

 – Boston Tea Party by Pamela Duncan Edwards