Flowers for Things I Don't Know How to Say

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Pub Date Mar 19 2024 | Archive Date Mar 18 2024

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Description

This unique gift book is a reminder that whatever someone may be going through, they always deserve flowers.

When it's the most difficult to find the right words, we turn to flowers to express our compassion and care. This book is like a bouquet of flowers in book form. Based on Tucker Nichols's celebrated multimedia art project entitled Flowers for Sick People, this book gathers vibrant floral paintings and pairs them with poetic dedications that pay tribute to a kaleidoscope of human experiences, from acts of unsung heroism to mundane moments of everyday beauty: “Flowers for Anyone Currently Eating a Cinnamon Bun in a Hospital Cafeteria,” “Flowers for the Last Time You Laughed So Hard It Hurt,” “Flowers for Spectacular Failures,” and more. Deeply relatable and equal parts heart-wrenching and humorous, this book is a comfort and encouragement in any moment and a salve for the loneliness that can come in life's toughest times.

INSPIRING PROJECT: PBS NewsHour spotlighted Tucker Nichols and his art for spreading kindness and connection during the isolating years of the pandemic. After inviting the public to submit names and addresses of their loved ones with illnesses, Nichols created and mailed original flower paintings to hundreds of requesters. This ongoing multimedia project evolved into the larger Flowers for series, which pays tribute to the vast array of moments and experiences that may be easy to overlook.

ACCLAIMED ARTIST: Along with his multimedia art and health projects, Tucker Nichols also sculpts and makes art for publication. His work has been published in McSweeney's, The New Yorker, and the op-ed pages of the New York Times and exhibited in hospitals, art centers, and fine art museums across the globe.
 
MEANINGFUL GIFT BOOK: This beautiful hardcover is like a bouquet of flowers, a caring gift not just in times of sickness, loneliness, and grief but whenever a loved one could use a little support or a thoughtful surprise. Full of colorful artwork and poetic text that speaks to all that we have to be grateful for—even when it's difficult—this book can be gifted in gratitude or sympathy to family and friends or to yourself as an act of self-care.

Perfect for:
  • Fans of Tucker Nichols and public art projects like Flowers for Sick People
  • People looking for uplifting encouragement and sympathy gifts
  • Friends and family experiencing chronic illnesses, grief, or depression
  • Anyone who could use some flowers and words of affirmation
  • Minimalist poetry lovers and fans of Rupi Kaur, Yung Pueblo, and Morgan Harper Nichols
This unique gift book is a reminder that whatever someone may be going through, they always deserve flowers.

When it's the most difficult to find the right words, we turn to flowers to express our...

Available Editions

EDITION Other Format
ISBN 9781797228945
PRICE $19.95 (USD)

Available on NetGalley

NetGalley Shelf App (PDF)
Download (PDF)

Average rating from 23 members


Featured Reviews

Flowers for Things I Don't Know How to Say was a really lovely book, would be a great gift for someone going through a tough time. The writing is unique but also very relatable.

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The illustrations in the book are exquisitely crafted and visually captivating. While I anticipated a somber tone, I was pleasantly surprised by the infusion of humor, which added a delightful and unexpected dimension to the overall experience.

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What a sweet, heartfelt little book. While the paintings are beautiful, the words or captions that go along with each really tug at your heartstrings.

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This book was so simple, but packed literally all the feels into its pages. The premise is that each bouquet is for someone going through a thing. As I read the different things, I found myself sometimes smiling, sometimes getting a bit teary, and just thinking "Yes, I've been there." This would be a perfect book for when you don't know what to say, but you want to be there for someone, OR you do know what to say and want to offer that extra bit of care and support. I didn't know what to expect with this one, but I absolutely fell in love. Thanks to NetGalley for the early look at this Marcy 2024 release!

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Surprisingly elegant in their simplicity, these paintings are sure to put a smile on your face. I equally loved the little witticisms that went with each.
"Flowers for windshield wipers on full tilt."
"Flowers for anyone who's been meaning to take a shower."

A quick read you will want to buy for someone on your gift list!

Thanks to NetGalley and Chronicle books for this advance reader's copy. I will be purchasing the finished copy!

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I wish Flowers for Things I Don't Know How to Say by Tucker Nichols were available sooner. I devoured this. The. book is all about the flowers we didn't know we needed or how to show the support for others when words seem to fail us. There were so many relatable bouquets and arrangements. I loved the subtle imagery in the details that made nod to the type of flowers being given. So many were relatable like "The flowers for yr frennds who snd texsts befpre raedign them" or "Flowers for the enormity of this shopping cart", and lastly " Flowers for people who maintain a sense of humor about their new haircuts" -- for the record, that person is not me. I am currently in the throws of regret from chopping my hair off this summer.

This would be the absolutely most perfect book to gift loved ones along with an arrangement made by the giver with its own note of "Flowers for". Tucker Nichols, thank you for bringing brightness into my life with these beautiful arrangements and array of messages from when words truly do fail.

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A touching gift book full of heartfelt illustrations. During the pandemic, Tucker Nichols began painting flowers for people. This book captures the feeling of care and community created by this act of creative generosity. Thank you to Chronicle Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to preview the eARC.

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Poignant project that really shows the spectrum of what people experience in life. I think everyone can relate to several situations. I love the uniqueness of the flowers. I also like the flowers chosen for the cover specifically because they are eye catching. I feel like this book could do well in a waiting room of a doctor's or therapist's office, places where some of the emotions talked about in the book are already coming up.

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I received an ARC of this from NetGalley.

I really like this concept. I enjoy randomness and flowers and art, so I enjoyed this, too. Some of the art is cute, some looks like a child did it, but it's just a fun idea, and would probably make for a good coffee table book. The digital formatting was a bit unflattering, but I'm hoping the final version will be better.

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Flowers for Things I Don’t Know How to Say by Tucker Nichols is a book of art to be appreciated. Art with flowers and art with words. So many of us have had the occasion of not knowing what to say. Being in healthcare for over 20 years, I could relate to many of the sentiments behind the words. I found myself agreeing, chuckling, tearing up some, and expressing gratitude. There’s an entry for just about any emotion and any scenario you can think of. Give it as a gift, or save it for yourself when you just need someone to say “I see you.”
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley and all opinions expressed are solely my own, freely given.

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The artist/author began writing notes for people during the pandemic which contained his paintings of flowers. That generosity bloomed (pun intended) into this book Flowers for Things I Don't Know How to Say.

The book is quite engaging, serious, whimsical, poignant, kind, sad, appreciative, heart-warming, humorous, compassionate, a bit of social commentary, messy, and tragic in turn. Reflections on life in all its many sides.

I rate it four stars.

My thanks to Chronicle Books for allowing me access to a DRC via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and are freely given. Publication is set for 3/19/24.

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Thank you NetGalley and Publishers for the opportunity to read and review! This was certainly a quick read with wonderful flower paintings. I found this book as an ode to gratitude and grace for everyday people around you with a mix of somber tones that rather surprise you from here and there, which I feel depicts how life works too. Overall a quick read that I enjoyed and gave me a new perspective for gratitude as well.

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Flowers For Things I Don’t Know To Say

The old advertisement said “Say it with Flowers”. In the true spirit of that sentiment comes this fun little volume featuring expressive illustrations of floral arrangements. The collection of stylized cartoon-like paintings can brighten a person’s day. A print copy of this would make a wonderful coffee table book.
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Thanks NetGalley for the advanced reader copy. I really enjoyed this book. As a rabbi and hospital chaplain, I know that sometimes there are no words. Now, those moments have flowers.
I look forward to adding this to my bookshelf.

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This is a book I didn't know I needed to read. And these are flower paintings I didn't know existed for situations I didn't know about. This book made me smile. It made me reflect. It made me sad. It made me chuckle to myself. It made me feel. It was lovely. Flowers for you. Flowers for me. Flowers for the hospital janitors. A really lovely book.

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It's a good mix of sad and funny things I don't know how to say. I like the simplicity of the art mixed with the very specific and unique things people are going through.

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A lovely little book and a gentle reminder that you never know what someone else is going through...And if you do, you might not be able to find the right words to express yourself.

I was deeply moved to learn about the author's "Flowers for Sick People" art project, which he launched at the start of the pandemic and which was also the genesis for this book. What a beautiful and selfless endeavor.

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Flowers are a symbolic gift given both in times of joy and times of sadness. Tucker Nichols began sending flower paintings to those suffering any type of ache in their lives. As he says in the introduction, we all suffer or celebrate the same things, but because we are all separated by a level of geography we tend to feel alone in those moments. This collection of Nichols' flower art is captioned for the group, for the many who are going through the same thing. It is a fantastic gift book that would make for a thoughtful and appreciated gift.

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This made me smile, cringe, laugh, and a little sad at times, to be honest. I was really moved by the art and just the overall concept behind it. Sometimes it is so hard to put your thoughts into words, and it’s even harder to do so in tough situations. “I’m sorry” isn’t enough sometimes or just really doesn’t help in any way to make someone feel better. But a nice drawing of flowers when words just aren’t enough? Honestly, priceless

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