Reading in the Garden

A mix of recommendations—novels and non-fiction, adults and kids.    Here are my most recent reads that I enjoyed. End of Octobery by Lawrence Wright : This book, about a pandemic, had me captivated from page one! There were many parallels to the COVID-19 events: empty grocery store shelves, closed borders, etc.  It's a well-researched, gripping novel that chilled me when it took a much more ominous turn!   What pandemic books have you read lately? The Learning Tree by Gordon Parks:   In light of the #Black Lives Matter protests, I decided to go back to my classics reading list from high school. This   is a coming-of-age story  of a twelve-year-old black boy in Kansas during the mid-1920s as he navigates his way through school, family, friendships, love, a bully, and racism.  Sadly, the semi-autobiographical novel, is still relevant today because almost 60 years after it was published in 1963, many of the ...

Outrageously Hilarious Tour de Force.    I loved Auntie Mame and Patrick’s hilarious and outrageous romp around the world in the late 1930s.  The over-the-top escapades, the witty writing, the author’s knack for capturing accents had me laughing the whole way.  The farcical situations they got themselves into were a hoot: like their time in an old run-down 14 th century Austrian village and their unbeknownst association with Nazis or their escape from armed fascists in Vienna.  This book was just pure amusing escapism, and as fun as the first book,  Auntie Mame!  Happy Reading, Happy Travels! Annette

Mother Dearest.    Ooooh  good! Meet Diana, the mother-in-law. She’s the one every new bride is scared to be saddle with. She is not a warm and fuzzy person—more of a blunt, cold fish and now she's dead.  Did she end her own life or did someone decide to do it for her?  This book toggles back and forth between the mother-in-law's and the daughter-in-law's  point of view ; past and present; and along the way reveals more about both.    It was the perfect remedy for me right now.  With all that's going on with the crazy coronavirus, this book was a good escape to get lost in—a quick, easy, captivating read.    Other Good Mysteries/Thrillers You Might Want to Check Out:  The Red Lotus by Chris Bohjalian The One by John Marrs The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn Other Classic Mysteries/Thrillers You Might Want to Check Out:  Murder on the Orient Express by A...

Family Is Where the Heart Is This book will tug your heart in so many directions.  A mother sells her daughter to the circus where she becomes part of a freakshow.  In an alternating storyline years later, a young woman tries to puzzle together the mystery surrounding her family and discovers the heart-wrenching past she never knew about or could possibly imagine.  You can’t help falling in love with tragic Lilly, the giant, docile elephants, and other circus performers who form her family unit.  You’ll also find three of the most vile villains you’ll ever come across: Lilly’s mother, the circus owner, and the man in charge of the freakshow.  Don’t miss this oh-so-good book! If you enjoy books about the circus you may want to consider: Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern The Autobiography of Mrs. Tom Thumb by Melanie Benjamin Happy Reading! And stay safe in these crazy times! A...

The Red Lotus by Chris Bohjalian Good! Good!! Good!!! This is a smart, tangled, and  timely  thriller!  When a man goes missing on a vacation in Vietnam, his girlfriend is left to unravel his lies that unknowingly put her in serious danger.  What do his lies really mean?  How terrible could his secrets be?  The answer, she’ll discover, is worse than she could possibly imagine!   A fast read with a jaw-dropping, heart-pounding ending!   Happy Reading! Annette

The Secret of Hygge.    I blew right through this book. It’s a highly interesting and entertaining insight to a foreigner in Denmark learning what gives it the designation as the happiest country despite having one of the highest taxes.  I learned so much.  -The Danes pay the highest taxes in exchange for a social welfare system that provides security in jobs, schooling, healthcare and general peace of mind.  -In a country where winters are looong and dark, the Danes get cozy in their minimalistic homes, light candles, and embrace hygge (which you’ll learn all about in the book.) -This country of 406 island embraces hobbies/clubs, porn on public TV, shorter work weeks, and a lack of political corruption.  I could go on and on, but Helen Russell tells it best with her wry humor intermixed with statistics and personal impressions, both good and bad.  Find out what a “Princess Stick” is and how bee stings can help during labor!...

The Art of Navigating Relationships and Indian Customs. I  loved  this story that made me feel like I just stepped off the train right into the heart of the Pink City of Jaipur, India. An enthralling tale of sisters navigating their relationship with each other and Indian customs in the 1950s. I got absorbed in this foreign country set in a vibrant background of rich colors, foods, a culture of traditions, superstitions and the caste system, and of course beautiful henna patterns!    I was also excited about the extras in this book—the list of characters at the beginning, the glossary of terms, a few paragraphs about henna and the caste system as well as a couple of recipes at the end.  It’s like a total India immersion kit—makes it all the more satisfying and unforgettable.  Happy Reading! Annette