Reading in the Garden

  Lost at Sea! Holy crap! This remarkable, unimaginable true story of a man adrift at sea for over a year, was spellbinding, gut-wrenching, alarming, and intense!  Makes me never want to go on a boat again — EVER!   In this journey of over 6,000 miles, survival depended on a hunter’s instinct, an ability to stay optimistic, maintain hope, and dig deep for a drive to survive.   So many parts of the story made me cringe, thinking about what it took to endure. Trying to imagine myself in that situation was horrifying, and makes me thank God not only for my safety, but for the clean water, food, and shelter I take for granted.   Looking for other non-fiction books about people confronting the natural elements?  Check these out: Tracks by Robyn Davidson - A woman crosses the Australian desert. Modoc by Ralph Helfer - A boy and elephant survive a shipwreck off the coast of India. Happy Reading! Annette

The Human Connection If you’re looking for a totally original and uplifting read, this is it.  In  The Keeper of Lost Things  the narration shifts between present day, where a woman inherits a man’s collection of found items and is tasked with returning them to their rightful owners. The story then flips to the past, telling about the life of a woman and her long-time relationship.  There was an intrigue of how the two separate storylines along with various other sidelines would come together and it did not disappoint. It’s not just about objects, but also about lost and found love, redemption, and a little bit other-worldly influence. It really makes you think about how every lost (and found) item has a story behind it—a human connection.  The next time I find a random object, I’ll have to consider (and possibly make up) the circumstances surrounding the owner and the item.   A thought-provoking joy to read.  Glad my sister recommended it! Happy Reading, Annette

Which author do you share a birthday with? September 1, 1875-March 19, 1950 – Edgar Rice Burroughs,  The Legend of Tarzan September 2, 1918-September 2, 1998 – Allen Drury – Won Pulitzer in 1960 for  Advise and Consent September 3, 1926 – Alison Lurie – 1985 Pulitzer for  Foreign Affairs September 4, 1908-November 28, 1960 – Richard Wright,  Native Son, Black Boy September 5, 1905-March 1, 1983 – Arthur Koestler,  Darkness at Noon September 6, 1950 – Robyn Davidson –  Tracks    September 7, 1962 – Jennifer Egan,  A Visit from the Goon Squad , 2011 Pulitzer Prize  September 8, 1863-September 1, 1943 – W.W. (William Wymark) Jacobs,  The Monkey’s Paw September 9, 1900-December 20, 1954  - James Hilton,  Lost Horizon September 10, 1963 – Marian Keyes,  Sushi for Beginners September 11, 1862-June 5, 1910 – O. Henry – William Sydney Porter,  Gift of the Magi    September 11, 1885-March 2, 1930 – D.H. Lawrence,  Lady Chatterley’s Lover September 12, 1943 – Michae