Category Home & Garden

The Garden of Memories by Amanda James @amandajames61 #contemporaryfiction #friendship #bookreview

yvonnembee 2 Comments

I am delighted to share my review today of The Garden of Memories by Amanda James. This is a wonderful book about memories, family and friendship.

My huge thanks to Mandy for sending me a copy of this book, my review is my own.

With nothing but time on her hands, retired nurse Rose Lanyon finds herself drawn to the garden that had once been her husband’s pride and joy.

It may have started as a means of honouring her husband’s memory, but her little Cornish garden soon becomes so much more – a place where the lost and lonely can find solace, the forgotten can be remembered, and second chances take bloom. Because, as long as new life is growing, there will always be hope and new memories to make…

With nothing but time on her hands, retired nurse Rose Lanyon finds herself drawn to the garden that had once been her husband’s pride and joy.

MY REVIEW

This is such a wonderful book and one that resonated with me so much. I adore my garden, it is my safe space, a space where I can unwind and relax, sit and listen to the wind, the insects, birds, and bugs, and in the distance I am lucky to hear the sea. I live in the same county where this book is set, Cornwall UK.

When Rose retires from her job as a nurse she is at a bit of a loss. She has been a nurse for 40 years and suddenly she finds that she is one of those people who now looks back on her career. It takes some getting used to and she finds this in her garden. It was her husband’s domain really and the memories of him are in the flowers and shrubs. Spending most of her time working she has left the garden and now she has the time to start tackling it.

The author brings the sanctuary of a garden to the centre of this book, it is the focus and I adored it and I could understand what she was trying to get at. My garden has plants that remind me of my Dad and some have come through various friends and family, mostly Mum because she is addicted to gardening and can always find a spot for another plant, and she wonders where I get it from! I digress…

Rose is not the only one feeling out of sorts, the author brings a wonderful array of other people. They each have something that they are clinging to or feeling upset about. Finding a quiet space in the middle of a glorious garden is definitely something that can help heal the mind and soul, well it does in my world and thankfully for the author and her characters it does as well. Sorry, I do keep getting sidetracked!

The author weaves a wonderful story of how those who are at a loose end come together and find comfort and friendship, doubts are voiced and problems are soothed over a cuppa or a glass of wine. This is a story that warms the heart and the author has such a wonderful way of letting her characters come to life, she had me with tears and lumps in my throat as things started to get resolved.

If you are after a story that has some wonderful moments, a heartwarming feel and quite a few laughs and the occasional tears then this is one for you. It is a fabulous story and one that fans of contemporary fiction, gardening, romance, family and friendship stories. It is one I would definitely recommend.

Many thanks for reading my post, a like or share would be amazing 🙂 xx

A Short History of Flowers by Advolly Richmond #horticulture #gardens #flowers #bookreview

yvonnembee 2 Comments

I am delighted to share my review today of A Short History of FLowers by Advolly Richmond. This is a stunning book and a proper little treasure trove of interesting stories.

I received a copy of this via the Amazon Vine program and my review is my own.

Garden and social historian Advolly Richmond (of  Gardener’s World ) unravels the surprising histories of 60 flowers that shape our gardens.

Have you ever wondered where your favourite garden flowers came from? Where their names derived? Or why some cultivars go in and out of favor? Every flower in your herbaceous border has a story, and in this book Advolly Richmond takes you on a tour of the most intriguing, surprising and enriching ones.

Tales of exploration, everlasting love and bravery bring these beautiful flowers to life. Advolly has dug down to uncover the royalty, scholars, pioneers and a smuggler or two that have all played a part in discovering and cultivating some of our favourite species. From the lavish and exotic bougainvillea, found by an 18th century female botanist in disguise to the humble but majestic snowdrop casting a spell and causing a frenzy. These plants have played pivotal roles in our societies, from boom to bust economies, promises of riches, and making fashion statements. These unassuming blooms hold treasure troves of stories.  

With specially commissioned artworks from award-winning botanical illustrator Sarah Jane Humphrey, which sumptuously bring each flower to life – this is a beautiful compendium for every garden lover.

MY REVIEW

This is an absolutely gorgeous book about flowers, their origins and how some of them became a staple plant in our gardens. I love my garden and there are some plants I remember from my childhood that my Mum would grow and others that would only be seen in specialist gardens. Now, plants are more accessible and there is even more choice and variety with hybrids and new designs.

The author is a well-known face on the TV show Gardeners World and she has chosen some of the ones that have a story behind them, it could be a love story or a lonely expedition, but it is a story of how they became a favourite in our gardens.

This is a gorgeous book and one that has stunning illustrations of the flowers, the illustrations are the sort you would find in older horticultural books rather than the showy photographs that we now have. There are also black line illustrations scattered throughout that correspond to a story or tell about a naturalist.

I adore this book and it is one you can sit and read cover to cover, or just flick through. It is a treasure trove of facts, stories and trivia and is one for fans of horticulture, gardening and flowers. It is one I would definitely recommend.

Paperback Publication Day for: Into the Tangled Bank by Lev Parikian @LevParikian @alisonmenziespr @eandtbooks #nature #bookreview

yvonnembee 7 Comments

I am delighted to re-share my review today for a book that I read and loved last year. Into the Tangled Bank: In Which Our Author Ventures Outdoors to Consider the British in Nature by Lev Parikian.

I did read the hardback copy of this book supplied by Alison Menzies from Elliot & Thompson publishers and today see’s the publication of the paperback version.

Let me share more about this fabulous book…

Lev Parikian is on a journey to discover the quirks, habits and foibles of how the British experience nature. He sets out to explore the many, and particular, ways that he, and we, experience the natural world – beginning face down on the pavement outside his home then moving outwards to garden, local patch, wildlife reserve, craggy coastline and as far afield as the dark hills of Skye. He visits the haunts of famous nature lovers – reaching back to the likes of Charles Darwin, Etta Lemon, Gavin Maxwell, John Clare and Emma Turner – to examine their insatiable curiosity and follow in their footsteps.

And everywhere he meets not only nature, but nature lovers of all varieties. The author reveals how our collective relationship with nature has changed over the centuries, what our actions mean for nature and what being a nature lover in Britain might mean today. 

My Review…

I really enjoyed reading this book as I followed Lev’s observations on how people and nature interact. Lev has such an easy style to his writing and as well as various facts there is also a nice level of humour. The book is littered with various interesting facts from history, nature and life.

Lev looks at various aspects of nature including our own gardens, parks and open green areas. He notices various things about human nature and how people with certain interest can chat about things for quite a while. As a gardener I found myself sniggering about they way gardeners can talk about “their patch” what they grow, the pests and bugs.

Lev’s observations of people in nature draw together different walks of life. From the dog-walkers, to the gardeners, the photographers to the birdwatchers. These observations make a really enjoyable read and many times I found myself nodding my head in agreement or as I read sections thought “this is me!”.

A book that is ideal for dipping in and out of, in fact I read most of this book sat in the garden have a break from the weeding, trimming and filling bird feeders and it was the perfect spot.

A refreshing read that I think various people would really enjoy, and I am sure any nature lover, or those who spend time outdoors and then reads this book will find themselves in it at some point. A good book about the observations of an author and one I would happily recommend, its a fabulous read.

Purchase from – AMAZON UK

Many thanks for reading my post, a like or share would be amazing 🙂 xx

My Week In Books (w/e Sunday 31st May) #booklove #bookupdates #gardenphotos #MeAndMyBooks

yvonnembee 4 Comments

Welcome to the final post for the month of May. Unusually the weather has been quite pleasant given this weekend is a bank holiday, usually it rains. Instead we have had some nice weather and I have had a chance to get out in the garden with my camera. Here are a few of the flowers that are blooming and also one of the veg plot…

Here are the books I have read…

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When Celia Moore sent me an email asking if I would like to read the final book in the Fox Halt Farm trilogy I obviously said yes. I have read and adored the previous books, A Hare’s Footprint was a wonderful book to read, although sad as it is the final one. This was a roller coaster of emotions as Billy and her husband Richard have ideas for their futures. Each, however, has different ideas. It gives for a stressful and worrisome relationship. The author once again drew me into the goings on on the Farm. Full review to follow next week.

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The Country Village Summer Fete by Cathy Lake was a wonderful summery read and the author gave me an addictive read set in Bramble Village. As Emma returns to her childhood home to stay with her father she is nervous. She left home on bad terms and guilt has plagued her. Coming back is a chance to finally put things right, but can she and does she really want to? Such a stunning and emotional read and my full review will be part of the Blog Tour next week.

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I adore the Glendale Hall series by Victoria Walters. Always and Forever at Glendale Hall is the 4th book in the series and it is another fabulous read. Anna is a bit of a loner, self reliant and constantly moving. When she suddenly finds herself stuck, she calls her brother. He invites her to come to Glendale, she can have a place to live and a job for as long as she needs. Keep an eye out for the Blog Tour and my full review of this wonderful book.

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This was a book I requested to review and I was delighted with it. Natural Menopause is a DK publication and it is full of wonderful advice. It includes info about the menopause, about natural therapies, exercise, diets and also a wonderful section on mental wellbeing. I really enjoyed reading through this and it does carry some very good information. I think it is a great book to give ideas about how to help yourself through menopause. I would definitely recommend it.

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This was supposed to be one of my #20books of summer reads that jumped at me to be read. The River Between Us by Liz Fenwick is a dual timeline story that is set on the Cornwall Devon border, the river being the Tamar. A story that is a mix of historical fiction and also a present day mystery as things from the past have relevance to the present day. I loved this book and I would defiantly recommend it.

A more relaxed reading week this week, I am quite surprised that I have not read any crime or thrillers! A very enjoyable week all round.

Have a great week ahead,

Yvonne xx

Many thanks for reading my post, a like or share would be amazing 🙂 xx

My Week In Books (w/e 13th Sept) #lovebooks #booksread #mygarden #MeAndMyBooks

yvonnembee 3 Comments

Yet another week has passed and we are now mid September already. Last week I had an unscheduled break, nothing to worry about. It was just that forgot to write a post up for the Wednesday and then was busy in the garden and decided to take the rest of the week off.

The garden has definitely changed since a few weeks ago, things chopped back, things dug up and veg has been picked. It does look quite bare out there again, but also rather more tidy looking!

I also decided to make some candles, its been so long since I have done this and I had forgotten how relaxing it can be. I took some lavender flowers and some of the roses that are growing in the garden and added them to the wax. Just a couple of photos before the wax set to white.

So what have I read this week?

All links below are for Amazon UK, these are affiliate links that earn me a small commission but at no cost to you.

If there was a book that you could read that could entice you on a road trip in a converted fish van, the Some Like it Greek by Sue Roberts is the book you really want to pick up. I absolutely adored this book as I journeyed with Anna and her older friend Demi across Europe and onto the Greek island of Kefalonia. This was such a wonderful heartwarming book that I absolutely adored, a story of friendship, of family and meeting new people. Brilliant read and you can get it on Kindle – Paperback

Cathy Mansell is a new to me author and after reading A Place to Belong I know I am going to be returning to her earlier books. This is a historical fiction set in Ireland in 1943, the war in ongoing and rationing is felt in Ireland. This is the story of an orphan who finds herself battling stereotypes of convent girls. But is also one about finding herself and having amazing friends to help her. I loved this book and I didn’t realise how quickly I was drawn into it. A wonderful book and you can buy a copy on Kindle – Paperback – Audio

I recieved this book last week and I have been waiting for this one for so long. I was patient and read it in the order it should be in, that is I read it according to the Blog Tours I have scheduled. The Bone Shard Daughter by Andrea Stewart was everything I hoped it would be and so much more. It is a fantasy and the first book in a series that I am really excited about. Magic, foreign lands, strange beasts and some fabulous characters. Quick chapters keep this book moving at a wonderful pace, with an oriental feel and wonderful descriptions. Yeah, I loved this one and cannot wait to see where the series goes next. Get a copy on Kindle – Hardback – Audio – or pre-order in Paperback

Well that is me done for another week. Three fabulous books for me. Wishing you all a good week ahead and Happy Reading 🙂

Yvonne xx

Many thanks for reading my post,a like or share would be amazing 🙂 xx

The Migraine Relief Plan by Stephanie Weaver @sweavermph @rararesources #review

yvonnembee 6 Comments

Today I have something a little different to share with you. The Migraine Relief Plan by Stephanie Weaver is a book that I definitely wanted to read as part of the Birthday Blog Tour with Rachel’s Random Resources. My huge thanks to Rachel for accepting my request to be on the tour and also to Stephanie for the book.

Let’s have a look and see what the book is about…

The Migraine Relief Plan: An 8-Week Transition to Better Eating, Fewer Headaches, and Optimal Health

In The Migraine Relief Plan, certified health and wellness coach Stephanie Weaver outlines a new, step-by-step lifestyle approach to reducing migraine frequency and severity.

Using the latest research, her own migraine diagnosis, and extensive testing, Weaver has designed an accessible plan to help those living with migraine, headaches, or Meniere’s disease. Over the course of eight weeks, the plan gradually transitions readers into a healthier lifestyle, including key behaviors such as regular sleep, trigger-free eating, gentle exercise, and relaxation techniques. The book also collects resources—shopping lists, meal plans, symptom tracking charts, and kitchen-tested recipes for breakfast, lunch, snacks, and dinner—to provide readers with the tools they need to be successful.

The Migraine Relief Plan encourages readers to eat within the guidelines while still helping them follow personal dietary choices, like vegan or Paleo, and navigate challenges, such as parties, work, and travel. A must-have resource for anyone who lives with head pain, this book will inspire you to rethink your attitude toward health and wellness.

Purchase Link – Click Here

As a hereditary sufferer of migraines, I was eager to read this book. My father found that acupuncture worked for him as well as having an allergy test to see what foods were his triggers. I found some of the same foods triggered my migraines, but I also discovered that hormones had a part to play as well. In some respects I am very lucky as I don’t suffer from them often, but when I do…

This book is a lifestyle guide, it has a great introduction about the authors’ experiences. I think that knowing the author had first-hand experiences made me more willing to pay attention. I am a believer that you don’t truly know what someone experiences until you experience it yourself, you can empathise and offer support but it’s never quite the same.

The book is quite intensive and packed full of so many useful advice, tips and ideas. Taking small steps rather than jumping in at the deep end and ditching the stuff in cupboards and fridge seems to me to be a very sensible approach. The focus is on building up a regime that is manageable and more importantly maintainable. Often diets and lifestyle changes fail as there is too much too soon and the novelty wears off.

There are lots of tips throughout this book, and while I did find some that were useful there were some that did not really apply to me. This is not a criticism in any way, as each sufferer is different, therefore there will be things that are more relevant to some.

Now to the recipes, they have an American feel to them as I would expect given the author is herself an American. There is a range of snacks, lunches, desserts, dressings, and sauces, some of these have a budget rating.

The book is a guide, it is about a change to not only your diet but also the lifestyle. It starts as an 8-week plan but encourages a longer period for better results. This is a well laid out book. It is not a cure-all, and it does not report to do that, it is a guide of things that can help people to manage and maintain a lifestyle. It looks at a whole-body approach rather than just pinpointing one specific area, so health, fitness, sleep as well as diet are dealt with.

I think if you are looking for this sort of approach that could help with reducing symptoms and works alongside your already prescribed medications then I think this book will be beneficial. I found it interesting and I did take quite a lot of things from it that I can easily work into my own lifestyle. It is a book I would recommend.

Stephanie Weaver, MPH, CWHC, is an author, blogger, and certified wellness and health coach. Her recipes have been featured in Cosmopolitan, Bon Appetit, Cooking Light, Parade, and more. She lives in San Diego, CA. 

Social Media Links – Facebook – Twitter – Instagram

Many thanks for reading my post, a like or share would be great 🙂 xx

#BookReview : The Garden In Every Sense and Season by Tovah Martin @timberpress #NetGalley

yvonnembee

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I am delighted to be sharing “The Garden in Every Sense and Season” by Tovah Martin, the photography is by Kindra Clineff.  This is due to be published on 4th April 2018 by Timber Press.  I recieved an eARC of this book from the publisher via Netgalley, my thoughts are my own and are unbiased.

Synopsis:

So much of gardening is focused on the monthly checklists, seasonal to-do lists, and daily upkeep—weed this area, plant these seeds, prune this tree, rake these leaves, dig this hole—frantically done all year long. But what about taking the time to truly enjoy the garden in every sense? In The Garden in Every Sense and Season does just that. Beginning the heady blooms of spring and closing with putting the garden to bed in winter, Tovah Martin mindfully explores her garden through sight, smell, sound, touch, and taste. She sees the bright yellow daffodils of spring, smells summer’s pungent roses, hears the crows in autumn, and tastes winter’s juicy citrus. In 100 evocative essays, Martin shares sage garden advice and intimate reflections on her own garden. The Garden in Every Sense and Season, from one of the greatest garden writers of our time, urges gardeners to inhale, savor, and become more attuned with their gardens.

My Thoughts:

Tovah reminds you that flowers, your garden and the wildlife are not just for looking at, rushing past, quickly weeding, instead she focuses on the five senses touch, sight, sound, smell and taste and explores each one of these for each of the seasons.  It all about relaxing, appreciating, enjoying and exploring what we have in out gardens.

She has a very natural way of explaining colour companions and foliage with structure.  Building a garden no matter what size takes planning and preparation, but there is no check list and must do in this book, taking the pressure of planting and setting at set times.  Instead, Stop, Slow Down, Relax and Enjoy.  It is a more relaxed approach and Tovah’s approach to life seems to come through in her approach to gardening and plants.

This is a refreshing look at gardening today.  It should be a pastime or a hobby not a job.  I found that even though I am a UK gardener, mainly of vegetables, there were lots of things that were relevant and useful.  It is good to see another persons thoughts and perspectives.

This is a beautifully laid out book with stunning photographs.  I have read this on a PC, but I know if I had the physical book in my hands I would be dipping in and out of it often.  The writing is set out more as a story of a journey through the year of a garden, rather than a book about a garden.

This is a book I would definitely recommend.  I really loved it.  The photographs and words compliment each other beautifully.

About the Author & Photographer:

Tovah Martin is a fanatical and passionate organic gardener and the author of The Indestructible Houseplant, The Unexpected Houseplant, The New Terrarium, and Tasha Tudor’s Garden, as well as many other gardening books. Visit her at tovahmartin.com

Kindra Clineff specializes in location photography and regularly produces feature assignments for national magazines; her images have appeared in numerous books, including several with Tovah Martin. She lives in Essex County, Massachusetts.

Many thanks for reading my post, if you liked it please give it a share.  Better still, go and get a copy of this beautiful book xx