Reading in the Garden

  The Murder of Roger Ackroyd The Murder of Roger Ackroyd  is considered to be one of Agatha Christie’s most famous books. Doctor James Sheppard narrates the story of how he received a call from Roger Ackroyd’s butler saying that poor Roger had been murdered.  Naturally, Dr. Sheppard hightails it right over, only to find out that Parker never called him, and Roger has locked himself in his study.  They both break down the door and find Roger Ackroyd, indeed, has been stabbed to death. So who called Dr. Sheppard if it wasn’t the butler?  And most importantly, why did someone knock off the kind, wealthy widower, Mr. Ackroyd?  Mysteries, twists, and suspects keep piling up. But luckily, Hercule Poirot happens to be staying next door to Dr. Sheppard and is all too ready to unravel this mess. With the help of his “little grey cells,” Poirot’s brain is able to sort out the astonishing truth—a big twist that I did not see coming!   ...

 A Bee-autiful Book! An uplifting, feel-good book buzzing with hope! In the small apple orchard region of Hood River, Oregon, three people in need come together: a beekeeper with a tragic loss; an 18-year-old wheelchair-bound boy trapped in a terrible home life; and a well-meaning but bumbling, nervous 24-year-old with a checkered past. All lost in their own way, they find strength in each other with the help of bees.   I was thrilled to be able to meet the author at an event at the Well-Read Moose bookstore in Coeur d'Alene, ID!  What fun it was to drink blueberry/honey fizzes, and listen to how Eileen came up with the story of Jake, the wheelchair-bound boy with a 16 1/2” mohawk; and how she herself is a beekeeper like Alice and a kite-boarder like Harry in the book.     This book is a treasure not to be missed! Eileen Garvin with my sister Since I finished this book right before my husband and I went on our Oregon Coast vacation, we made a quick sto...

Antarctic Adventures A fascinating account of a modern-day explorer who idolized Shackleton and trekked to the South Pole twice before attempting a  solo  land-crossing of the Antarctic continent! Stunning with awe-inspiring photos.   Henry Worsley, related to Captain Frank Worsley, on Shackleton’s ill-fated  Endurance   Expedition , was obsessed with Antarctica. Together with a great nephew of Shackleton, and a great grandson of the second in command on Shackleton’s  Nimrod Expedition,  the three men set out to trek across Antarctica in 2008-09 to reach the South Pole.  They faced the dreaded Beardsmore Galcier, whiteouts that made one man motion sick, and a two-day storm after which they had to hack themselves out of walls of ice. The arduous journey would have been enough for most men, but Henry Worsley wasn’t done yet. He came back to the unforgiving, brutal continent, two more incredible times, the last one braving the challenge on his o...

  Historical Fiction at its Best! What a jaw-dropping book about a boy in Romania during one of the most oppressive communist regimes led by dictator Nicolae Ceausescu (Beloved Leader) and his wife Elena (Heroine Mother).   In Romania, people are kept under complete control:  where they live (tiny hovel-like apartments); where they work (twelve hours a day, six days a week); and how much food and electricity they get (very little).  Even in their own homes, people speak in whispers because they know they are bugged and any word against the government will result in severe punishment or death. This is a country where cigarettes are a form of currency used to bribe dentists for Novocain or vodka is used to get an x-ray at a doctor’s office.   The biggest wield of power Ceausescu holds over Romanians is isolation and FEAR.  He instills fear in everyone by having his own citizens become informants on each other.  NO one can be trusted, ...

  Pack Your Bags for Positano.    I was intrigued by the story of a young woman who meets a young version of her own mother who had recently passed. While I mistakenly thought this was a humorous book, the complexities of relationships made up for it. It was about the dynamics of relationships: the love and secrets between mother and daughter, husband and wife, and struggles within one’s own identity.   But it was the descriptions of the food and locations that really grabbed me over and over and had me heating up my phone with non-stop googling of the hotels, restaurants, and other GORGEOUS sites in the Amalfi Coast. One day (when I hit the lottery) I want to plan a tour of all the stops Katy made. Most people might like this book for the mystery and romance, but as for me, she had me at “Positano.”  Positano awaits: Left: Positano by  By Annwvyn. Middle: Hotel Poseidon.  Right: Path of the Gods If you liked this book you may want to read: Beautiful ...

  No Regrets?    A quirky and uplifting read about second chances.  Nora is given the opportunity to relive and correct some of her regrets in life. But with each venture, she is plopped into a past she doesn’t know much about. It’s not all she thought it would be and her alterations extend beyond the editing of her original regret.   I had to laugh that with each trip back in time, she’s never exactly aware where she is or how her life has built up to that point. It’s a mystery she must quickly figure out before she steps on that stage to give her motivational speech, or find her way home in a foreign country, or know what a spotter’s job is on an arctic exploration. I like how it’s explained that when we sometimes forget why we went into another room, it’s probably a blip in time when we’ve changed lives.  So, now I have a good excuse!  Ha!   Be sure to check out this unique and playfully thought-provoking book!  W...

  I Just Love “Love & Saffron” I LOVED , LOVED, LOVED this book about two women corresponding in the 1960s!  They begin by sharing their interest in food and then develop a true friendship. One lives in L.A., the other in the Seattle area. Every page either made me smile or pulled on my heartstrings. The book is like a time capsule, because the women discuss the many historical events that happen during their lives: Cuban Missile Crisis, JFK’s assassination, McCarthyism, feminism, Lawrence Welk, etc.     Besides the food and historical aspects, many personal connections in this book made it special for me. Including the fact that it’s about a wonderful correspondence which reminds me of my oldest friend in Germany and my recent correspondence with my second cousin in Australia.  I’ve also been to some of the locations like the Seattle Space Needle, Pike Place Market and Los Angeles.    This is such a SPECIAL, gentle gem of a book th...