Beekeeping for Beginners: How To Raise Your First Bee Colonies

Beekeeping for Beginners is a new guide aimed at beginning beekeepers who might not have a good support and instruction network in place yet. Released 25th June 2019 by Rockridge, it's 178 pages and available in ebook and paperback formats.

Beekeeping has become ever more popular the last few years and there are a plethora of books covering every imaginable facet of beekeeping. The flood of books available reflects the rise in popularity as more and more gardeners and hobbyists turn to beekeeping as a way to increase productivity and 'do their bit' for nature. It's not always easy to tell which books represent the best value for readers. I've been beekeeping since I was a little kid assisting my grandfather and I try to read and review hobby books with an eye toward what would have helped me most when I was starting out again independently.

This is an accessible, scientifically accurate, appealing book aimed at getting the layperson from dreaming about beekeeping through setting up the first beehives as well as helping the bees to thrive through the first year(s).  It follows a logical layout split into three main parts: 1) bee anatomy and behavior and setting up an apiary, 2) the new apiary's first year, and 3) what to expect and troubleshooting for the future.

Worth noting for Kindle Unlimited subscribers, this book is included in the KU subscription to download and read for free.The ebook format also has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. 

I think most people realize at this point how fundamental our pollinators are to our future. Now, there are more people than ever seeing the health benefits not just to nature but to the beekeepers themselves from the exercise and stress reduction which are part of keeping them. Beekeeping is a wonderful and productive hobby and this book is a good basic introduction.

It's a valuable addition to the beekeeper's library. I would strongly recommend it in addition to a few other apiary classics (Beekeeping for Dummies, for example). I like the author's encouraging and informal writing style very much.

Five stars. Always nice to see new and up-to-date beekeeping books!

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.