one page test

I have a confession. I get a little bit too enthusiastic sometimes when I go online and see all the books that are available to me.

I just want them all!

And I really am well meaning. I want to read them all, too.

But this is the thing. Sometimes I check out, oh, say twenty to forty books (and usually forget my book bag. Yes, imagine me with that many books in my arms, because it happened just last week)

So, I've come up with a one page test. And it is highly unprofessional and very judgemental, and I can really be missing out on all sorts of good stuff... But I can't read forty gardening books before the fines and nasty letters start knocking on the door!

So here are my one page reviews on two books that I had two very different impressions on:

The good one first:

I have read more than just the first page now, and it is full of beautiful full color pictures, really great basic advice "It's got two chances: either it will grow, or it won't". "We garden organically as a matter of course. For us it was simply a matter of common sense that we would be reluctant to use any kind of poison where children and pets play".

And it is set in the middle of London, in a traditional kitchen garden that had been forgotten for many years and brought back to life by school children. Think all the tricks from The Secret Garden. Plus, my neck of the woods has a climate (and slugs) much like that of London.

This book may get promoted from library book to year round friend at our house.

I have really enjoyed the books by Ms. Kingsolver that I have previously read. Note: I do not recommend them to anyone, they have some adult content that many may be uncomfortable with, and I confess my hardened mind just skips over after many years of practice with many uncomfortable assigned books.

Anyway, The concept of this book is very intriguing. Kingsolver and her entire family try to eat only foods they grow themselves or can find locally.

I really love the concept.

But her end of the world, global warming reasoning is really annoying. To me.

So, I know I'm probably missing the good stuff in the book, but now I have more time for quaint English gardens tended by kids.

Happy reading.