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....

  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 ...

Imports to  Australia. I got completely wrapped up in this story about women sent to an Australian penal colony on Van Diemen’s Land (Tasmania)—something I knew almost nothing about.  The treatments in the British prison system in the mid 1800s, the four-month long journey by ship, and life in the Cascades Female Factory will be images that will remain with me. And it wasn't just the women who I will remember, it's also the actions towards the aborigines. An unforgettably sensational read!   While reading this I had to settle in with a glass of “19 Crimes,” a tasty wine which lists one of the 19 crimes that would get a prisoner sent to Australia printed on their wine corks.  In case you’re wondering what the 19 crimes are, here’s a list directly from their website:    1. Grand Larceny, theft above the value of one shilling  2. Petty Larceny, theft under one shilling.  3. Buying or receiving stolen goods, jewels, and plate...  4. Ste...

  Students and Teachers  Become WWII Prisoners This historical fiction was a remarkable new insight into WWII for me.  Set in China, a missionary boarding school with British, American, and other western students, is taken over by the Japanese and they are later transferred to Weihsien Internment Camp.  It’s an extraordinary story of hope and courage as they lean on the guidance and protection of their teachers and also the principles of respect, honor, and loyalty they formed as Girl Guides (Girl Scouts) all under extraordinary conditions.  The end left me surprisingly emotional and so glad I read this book!     Annette  Other Books About Internment Camps: When the Emperor Was Divine  by Julie Otsuka Hotel on the Corner of  Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford

  Left Me Breathless! I would give this book a 10+++ rating if I could!  It's easily the BEST book I've read all year...and I've read many great books. This well-researched, fast-paced, unputdownable story had me in its clutches from page one.  Set during the end of WWII, a group of people evacuating East Prussia try to reach the safety of the Baltic Sea where German ships await to help people escape the advancing Russians.   Told in first person by several people, each short chapter reveals a little bit more about their past and secrets while painting a dire picture of the horrifying trek through biting cold and snow with dangers all around.  And then they reach the port...   The ending left me breathless. This is a young adult book, but would highly recommend it for adults and it would probably be a great selection for book clubs!       Annette 

Which author do you share a birthday with? October 1, 1946 – Tim O’Brien,  The Things They Carried October 2, 1937 – Stanley Crawford –  Log of the S.S. The Mrs. Unguentine    October 3, 1900-September 15, 1938 – Thomas Wolfe,  Look Homeward, Angel October 4, 1941 – Anne Rice,   The Vampire Chronicles October 5, 1950 – Edward P. Jones,  The Known World,  2004 Pulitzer  October 6, 1939–June 17, 2014 Lois Battle,  The Florabama Ladies’ Auxiliary & Sewing Circle October 7, 1907 – September 30, 1985 – Helen MacInnes,   Above Suspicion October 8, 1920-February 11, 1986 – Frank Herbert,  Dune October 9, 1956 – Katherine Applegate,  The One and Only Ivan October 10, 1950 – Nora Roberts (aka J.D. Robb),   Year One, Shelter in Place October 11, 1911-February 26, 1993 – Fletcher Knebel, Political Thrillers October 12, 1982 – Julie Kagawa,  The Iron Fey  Series Oct...

  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.  Gla...

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, 1...

Olympic Dreams.    Hitler’s 1936 Olympics saw our “ Boys in the Boat ” row to victory. Now we get to learn about the “Fast Girls” on the U.S. track team who made history—specifically three women who had their own personal obstacles to hurdle before they reached the world’s stage.  Gender discrimination, racism, ostracism, and a horrific accident all played against the financial squeeze of the Great Depression. A completely compelling read! Happy reading,  Annette 

Ultimate Devastation. With the 75 th  anniversary of Hiroshima today on August 6, I had finally decided to read this classic non-fiction book about the destruction, mayhem, and long-term devastation caused during WWII when the U.S. dropped a nuclear bomb on Hiroshima.  And what a chilling book it is!  The author follows six survivors of that harrowing day to find out what happened to them. After reading this book the events of that day may just be burned into my brain like the intense heat and flash of the bomb that actually imprinted shadows of objects and people from the blast on walls like photographs. People were burning, vomiting. As flames consumed structures all around, others were squashed and trapped under buildings and debris. Unbelievably, the weather brought more misery to a living hell with storms and a flood. The radiation, which was powerful enough to expose x-rays in a hospital basement volt, would cause more damage for years to come to t...

Which author do you share a birthday with? August 1, 1819 – September 28, 1891 – Herman Melville,  Moby-Dick   August 2, 1947 – Lawrence Wright,  The End of October August 3, 1924 – June 21, 2003 – Leon Uris,  Exodus    August 4, 1969 – Jojo Moyes,  Me Before You August 5, 1960 – David Baldacci,  Archer  Series August 6, 1809 – Alfred Tennyson, 1 st , Poet  August 7, 1942 – Garrison Keillor,  Lake Wobegon Days    August 8, 1896-December 14, 1953 – Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings,  The Yearling     August 9, 1927 – June 15, 2014 – Daniel Keyes,  Flowers for Algernon   August 10, 1962 – Suzanne Collins,  The Hunger Games   August 11, 1921 – February 10, 1992 – Alex Haley,  Roots   August 12, 1962  – Chris Bohjalian,  The Red Lotus August 13, 1961 – Tom Perrotta,  Election   August 14, 1947 – Danielle Steel, Romance Novels...