Ashleigh Reads Books Reading is my first love, writing my second. Here I combine the two.

I spent a good portion of my Sunday down at the library, conducting research for the novel I am currently working on. I wanted to know a bit more about Celtic history, and in doing so I stumbled upon this little gem.

‘The Celtic Calendar’, by Michael Vescoli, is a really interesting book which relates some of the Celtic beliefs, and translates them in a way the modern reader can understand. The majority of the book is centred around different trees, and the importance the Celts placed on different tree species.

I had expected this book to be kooky, centering on magical properties of fairy-infested trees. Instead, Vescoli explains key features of each tree, be it the longevity of the tree, durable wood, or useful seeds, and how these features were important to the Celtic way of life. Each month is represented by a tree, based on which tree flowers at which times.

This book has had me thoroughly absorbed in it’s depths. Useful, too, as I had never realised that the gigantic tree that grew next door to my house is actually a type of maple and can be used to sooth insect bites. So, if Celtic history interests you and you are after a different angle to look at, give this book a go.