According to the United Nations, nearly 90% of the world’s wild flowering plant species and 75% of the world’s food crops depend on animal pollination. Without bees, planet Earth would be a more barren, withering landscape. Beyond Honey is a book about honeybees and their importance, including stories about bees’ economic, entrepreneurial, and environmental impact on our society. These stories showcase how these tiny creatures influence our lives for the good. Tierney Monahan also shares about the benefits and challenges of our interconnected world, specifically the relationship between humans and the environment. Whether you’ve been a long-time honeybee ally or a curious admirer, this book will engage you with stories such as: why bees are essential to our world; how can these tiny creatures have such a monumental impact; and who are the diverse beekeepers across the globe . This book is guaranteed to sweeten your life!

Thanks to the author for this signed review copy! BEYOND HONEY is a wonderful little read full of heartwarming stories mingled with honeybee trivia (such as a queen bee can lay 1000-2000 eggs per day in the spring when the bees emerge from the hive).

As a beekeeper, Monahan is intimately involved with the husbandry of her hive. She takes pride in her work, achieving a Zenlike peace as she listens to the gentle buzzing of her bees at work. She notes “working with the bees encourages people to stay present in the moment. It can often be relaxing to sit and watch the bees fly in and out of the hive”.  This tranquility is the reason that beekeeping is offered to veterans with PTSD, former miners, and first responders. In fact, beekeeping has been suggested as a vocation for veterans since the end of World War I. Honeybees are a communal insect, and everything they do is for the benefit of the hive. They have a work ethic and a sense of greater good – something that may be lacking in the workforce today.

Monahan writes about beekeeping in other countries, how caring for these tiny creatures can help decrease recidivism rates for incarcerated people and describes how a small business called Detroit Hives has helped immensely in revitalizing the beleaguered Michigan city (in 2013 the City filed for bankruptcy, exiting December 10, 2014).

The author’s love for bees shines through in her writing style, which is easy to read and generates a calm feeling as you glide through the book. Each chapter covers the unusual ways honeybees are essential to our existence. All the parts of a honeybee colony are explained, as well as hive products (honey, propolis, etc.) and bee diseases. I learned so much from this information packed, yet short (153 pages) book!

I will admit that I have a fear of bees, as I’ve been stung a few times. Honeybees are peaceful creatures and are not interested in stinging, which makes me want to visit a hive to see these amazing creatures at work. We can learn a lot about ourselves if we study these busy bees and understand that they are essential to our survival. As they fly around, visiting various flowers and trees to forage for nutrients, they are also pollinating and fertilizing each plant they land on.

BEYOND HONEY is the perfect name for this wonderful read, as it truly goes beyond the sweet treat that we all use in our tea or to combat allergies. Be prepared to learn and be fascinated with all the trivia.

Want your own copy? You can pick it up here.