Reading in the Garden

   2020 Reading List  I read a lot of books in a year (well, by my standards anyway.) I also work, babysit my grandkids, bake a lot of bread, garden, and tend to those tedious things in life that suck up my time—which explains why I just can’t review all the books I read.  Some wonderful ones fail to get a mention and that’s just not right.   So before putting this remarkable year of 2020 behind us, I thought I’d give a rundown on all the books that I’ve had the pleasure of reading this year—books that allowed me to take my mind off of the pandemic and politics.   In reading order:   The War That Saved My Life  by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley – Mid-kids’ book, ages 9-12 –  An unwanted girl with a crippled foot is sent away to the British countryside with her brother during WWII. There, she learns to trust again when she finds people who truly care about her. Great book about overcoming adversity and good introduction to one aspect of WWII.     Mercy House  by Alena Dillon – Fiction about

  Drool and Chuckle.    I thoroughly enjoyed this amusing, sumptuous excursion into French food and customs blended with nostalgic reminiscence of an Australian childhood as John Baxter reveals his preparations for the perfect Christmas meal.     This is one of those books that will make you hungry and want to get right into the kitchen and create something marvelous.  I also learned a few things about French culture I didn’t know like: “You would no more bring food or drink to a French house than arrive at one in America bringing your own plate, knife, and fork.” It’s an insult to arrive with a bottle of wine in hand implying that the host will not provide enough wine or one to your satisfaction.  I never thought of it that way.  Good to know.  Maybe stick to the flowers or would that be insinuating they have an ugly garden?  I’m not quite sure, the author didn’t mention anything about that.    I also didn’t realize how  very  seriously the French take their cheeses.  “Cheese to the F