Book Review: The Unfinished Garden
When asked to review of a new novel, I accepted the challenge. I’m not really much of a novel reader, generally I prefer something I can glean information from or biographies. Novels should appear on my list more often and what a better way for it to happen.
The Unfinished Garden arrived at the perfect time, just after we finished our upstairs project. I had no mental capacity for learning much of anything and needed something that wasn’t tedious to read. One afternoon, I sat down with a cup of coffee and settled in for some much needed reading time.
This novel has a gardening theme woven throughout seem more engaging to me, being a gardener myself. The author is an avid gardener and you can really tell. I e-mailed Barbara Claypole White and asked d for a few photos of her garden to share with you. She happily obliged and even sent along this lovely image of her mom’s garden over in England. All the rest of the garden photos in this post are of her garden.
I have to admit that I was a bit nervous that this was going to be a cheesy romance novel, which are on the way bottom of my reading list, in fast they never make it on the list. I nervously cracked the book bracing myself for the worst. The book was finished in just a few sittings, generally the mark of a good book. If I find myself wanting to continue reading way past my bedtime, it’s an engaging story.
This story intrigued me for a few reasons. One being that the main character is a widow. I have a very dear friend who lost her husband after only a few years of marriage at a young age. She definitely came to mind often while reading this book.
I won’t be telling you all about the book here, I am the type of person who doesn’t like to read descriptions before cracking the cover of a book. I like to fully discover the story without any preconceived notions about the book.
I will tell you, if you enjoy a good novel and enjoy gardening, I think you’ll find this book engaging.
Now that I have read the book, I no longer need my copy. If you’d like to find a copy of this book in your mailbox, comment below and I’ll choose a winner next week. Winner chosen. Kimberly who said: “I would love to read the book – it sounds wonderful! What lovely pictures of the garden!” As an added bonus, I’m sending this book along to Barabara Claypole-White the author, she’s going to sign it and send it along to you Kimberly. Enjoy!
What’s your favorite kind of book to read?
I love a good novel that displays creative writing and thinking. I enjoy certain non- fictions as well but find that, often, the authors creative writing abilities aren’t as strong which is disengaging for me.
to Fawn's comment
I used to read more fiction than I do now. My favorite being Pillars of the Earth and World without End.
These days I find myself reading mostly blogs about my interests with a book every once in awhile. I am in the middle of Sheepish at the moment.
to Andrea Duke's comment
I’m an avid reader as well as an avid gardener. My favorite books are those with an unexpected or quirky story line or a book with an unusual point of view. I’m with you on those cheesy romances.
Except for a very few, I don’t hang on to my books when I’m finished reading them as I rarely read a book twice. I’d be happy to read the book and then send it on to another Chiot’s Run reader when I’m finished.
to Linda's comment
I love a good historical fiction. I’m in love with history and mixing it up with a good story is my perfect read!
to Annette May's comment
I am an avid reader, and am never without a book to read. I like to lose myself in a good historical novel.
to Robin's comment
I love novels that include an aspect of nature or the outdoors in the theme so this sounds so perfect!
to Erin's comment
I love reading, I love gardening, I love garden photos, and I LOVE stories with gardening woven in!
to Jill Richey's comment
i read anything! everything! i’ll give any printed page a shot!
to elaine's comment
Mostly books where I learn something, although when driving a good suspense audiobook is my choice.
to Gayle's comment
I would love to read it! I do love to garden and that is coming to a close
as the cooler temps are moving in here. Thanks for the chance.
to Karen's comment
Thanks for the lovely review. Happy reading and happy gardening, people!
to Barbara Claypole White's comment
I like to read autobiographes.
to Navya's comment
* autobiographies.
to Navya's comment
I will pretty much read anything….. Lots of marriage & parenting books, gardening,camping, travel, etc. When my brain is fried I love to escape toanother world & will pick up a novel. The last one I read was “Fatal Harvest” by Catherine Palmer. It had a little of the romance factor, but was definitely a great fiction read about the domination of the global food food industry. I thought about you often while I was reading it! I was impressed that a Christian writer had even thought to write about the subject, let alone that it was a great suspense novel!
to DeeDee's comment
I love to read cookbooks! Have way too many of them, but I can get lost in food thoughts for hours! Always nice to have a good book as a diversion, to remind me to slow down and breathe, although the gardens aren’t giving me much space these days as I frantically try and finish up my canning!
Welcome to Maine! You must be close by now!
to Stone soup's comment
I love a good book, but like you, I’m not much for a cheese romance. I do love J.R.R. Tolken, and some historical fiction. This book definitely sounds intriguing!
to Songbirdtiff's comment
I love to read! I read everything, cookbooks, fiction, nonfiction and if there isn’t anything else the back of the cereal box!! LOL
to Jodi Tork's comment
Ms. Claypole White’s gardens are gorgeous!! Her book sounds interesting and worth a read.
I generally am addicted to fiction (young adult dystopias being a particular favorite), though did just finish an amazing nonfiction book: A Man on the Moon: the Vogages of the Apollo Astronauts.
I don’t go anywhere without a book or ebooks on my Kindle just in case I get stuck in a line or waiting on the kids or… there’s always a need to have a book handy.
to Heather's comment
I love any book well written and once I find an author I like I will read all of their books. Love books about fiction and nonfiction about gardening, farming, history, and my guilty pleasure, mysteries.
to Erika's comment
I am also a gardener who loves to read. My favorite is the novel. I like either quirky stories or ones with great depth and character development. Barbara Kingsolver and Kate Morton are 2 of my favorite that do so well with the latter.
I am also fond of reading and rereading books about getting back to the older ways of planting and growing food and ornamentals. Again, Barbara Kingsolver is a top contender in that catagory!! Animal, Vegetable, Miracle might just be one of my favorite books of all time.
to Ann's comment
I will always read Barbara Kingsolver and Doranna Durgin, they are my favorite.
to liz's comment
Please add me to the book giveaway. And I don’t comment enough to let you know how much I like your blog. I read it almost every day with a cup of tea and a bit of toast. My morning pleasure.
to Patsy King's comment
Me please! Retired librarian, avid gardener :/>
to Jan's comment
I love your site and don’t comment much. I am a small beginner gardener and not very good at it. I read your blog to get ideas and to see what my garden could become in the future if I keep at it. :)
to Amy P's comment
I’d love to read it! I’m always intrigued by novels where gardening is a big focus or a gardener is a main character. They are rare as far as I can tell. :)
to igardendaily's comment
I would love to read the book – it sounds wonderful!
What lovely pictures of the garden!
to Kimberly's comment
Always love a good book!
to Canned Quilter's comment
Oh, I do love to read. I love a good, clean novel, especially if it relates to cooking, gardening, etc. I would love to find this book in my mailbox!
to Kathy L.'s comment
I must say that I love reading gardening book and cookbooks, really like
novels. They fascinate me and I always end up learning something.
Thanks for sharing. Good luck in your new homestead. You are going to love having chickens, I miss having them. (Get some turkeys too- they are funny and very sweet and not dumb)
to cynthia's comment
I love reading historical novels, gardening and landscape books and probably, the most read at my house- cookbooks.
to allegra's comment
Favorite reading- gardening and cooking books!
to cyndi's comment
Oh, gosh, I am a sucker for books that incorporate gardens and gardening in a fictional plot line! My most frequently read (and read and read) are gardening books, cook books and historically-based fiction. If I were to win this book I, too, would be willing to pass on to another Chiot’s Run reader.
to Melanie A.'s comment
Sounds like a great read! And her garden is gorgeous!
to Melissa's comment
This book looks intriguing – especially from what you’ve told us :) I love the photos of the author and her mothers garden!
I like to read romance, thrillers, mysteries…and some sci-fi (although I’m particular about those).
to Jaye's comment
Love garden/ farming themed books. . . novel or memoir.
to Joy Giles's comment
I’d love to read this book.
to Ms. Tweetley's comment
What absolutely gorgeous garden pictures! I would love to win that book!
to Melanie's comment
Should have thought of this earlier, but if you mail the novel to me with the address of the winner, I’d be happy to sign it and reship. :)
to Barbara Claypole White's comment
I love historical fiction books. Anything war time era gets me interested. I wonder why that is?
to Alyssa's comment
I’m not much of a book reader myself; although I have read the Harry Potter novels, the Song of Ice and Fire [starting book 5 soon!], and a bit of Douglas Adam’s stuff. I do like reading, but I’m the kind of person that keeps thinking of things to do – so I never just sit down and READ. Hehe.
Oh I hope this story isn’t sad. The title alone makes me think that it starts out sad, but then becomes uplifting. I tend to overthink about stories and movies. It’s a bad trait. Hehe! :D
to Donna B.'s comment
I’m also overdue to read some non-fiction. This book sounds interesting and might be perfect since I’m about to start a night class. I’ll need something more entertaining for a break soon!
to Becky's comment
Historical fiction is my favorite relaxing reading. I’ve been spending alot time lately reading about gardening though as we set up a new garden at our new house.
Just discovered your blog and I’m really enjoying it. Thank you for sharing!
to Amy B's comment
Sounds like a welcome diversion! Hope your drive is going well!
to Diana's comment
Nothing lately (thanks, kids!), but usually novels.
Safe travels. I’m so excited for your new adventure.
to kristin @ going country's comment
This sounds like a wonderful book… and I would be more than happy to pass it along after reading it as well. :)
to Peggy's comment
Thanks for the recommendation of this book, the whole time reading your review I was thinking about how fast I can order this book from the library. thanks.
to Ammal's comment
I love food memoirs! I am currently reading My Berlin Kitchen:
http://www.amazon.com/My-Berlin-Kitchen-Story-Recipes/dp/0670025380/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1348170447&sr=8-1&keywords=wednesday+chef
to Estelle's comment
Hello! I have seen this book circulating around the library & have been wanting to get my hands on it. I already had a stack of books to read so I let ours go out. Now I just can’t wait to read it. Good luck in you & Brian’s new adventures. Hope things worked out well for Dexter. God bless.
to Kathy Ritter (library)'s comment
Love reading, love gardening, love knitting. Read a few novels that include kniting in there somewhere, and one that had some chickens running around, but don’t recall one that centered on gardening. I would love to read it. Best of luck on your trip with your kitty co-pilots.
to Sonja's comment
I am a technical reader too. Maybe that’s why i like homeschooling my kiddo so much. Everything we read during the day is stimulating the brain.
I did just finish something out of the ordinary for me. My dad recommended i read “What is the What?” By D. Eggars. It was a first hand account from one of the Lost Boys of So. Sudan, juxtaposing life their against his life here in the USA. Couldn’t put it down. Compelling story makes you want to find an immigrant family and ask how you can help.
Thanks for the opportunity at the book. Occasionally, when i think no one is watching, i sneak a read at a romance novel. Nothing too exciting…more like the Amish Beverly Lewis series.
to whit's comment
I read all kinds of books! I try to mix up my genres. A few years ago I started asking people for recommendations on what to read and it really expanded my horizons! I love the classics and I love series because I tend to fall in love with characters and always want to know more about them. I also enjoy reading non-fiction, science stuff, how-to’s. But, the Anne of Greengables series will forever in my heart be my favorite-read them at age 8 for the first time and have reread them several times.
to angie h's comment