Oranges and books, two of my favorite things...

“Many kinds of fruit grow upon the tree of life, but none as sweet as friends; as with the orange tree its blossoms and fruit appear at the same time, full of refreshment for sense and for soul.”

A tender poem written by Lucy Larcom in the 1800's. She is remembered as a teacher, poet and author who loved book and the literary pursuit. But the description that caught my eye about Lucy is that was "a poetess of friendship and nature," a thread that runs through my new book, The Orange Woods - Seasons in the Country Artfully Lived.

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I spent some this afternoon watching and listening to a conversation with a writer I have admired forever, Ann Patchett. Her most recent book, The Dutch House, is superb, but the audio version narrated by Tom Hanks is beyond brilliant! Even the author recommended the audio.

In their Conversation with Authors fascinating series, Elaine Petrocelli of Book Passage Bookstore in The Bay Area spent an intimate hour talking with Ann Patchett about books, books, and more books. Together they shared a compelling list of their favorite books of the year, shown below.

Not certain which one I'll purchase first, but I'll definitely buy it from a local San Diego independent bookstore! They all sound like great Book Club suggestions.

I'm new to Book Passages Conversation with Authors, but if you love to read, their series is free and fascinating, a delightful diversion in pandemic time.

Ann Patchett, a most talented writer and speaker, is also co-owner with her business partner, Karen Hayes of Parnassus Books in Nashville and they ship books direct to your mailbox, as does Book Passage Bookstore.

Mine's not in either of these independent bookstores yet (someday, hopefully), but in the meantime, yes, you can order from The Orange Woods - Seasons in the Country Artfully Lived from Amazon or better yet, ask your local book store to order it for you...

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I have always been an avid reader; my sincere thanks for these suggestions.  I am blessed to live in a "rural" area during these pandemic times.  I walk, bike, read, and have a group of friends who like to drink and eat in each others homes.  We also venture out to restaurants.  I miss travel, but life is good. MMM

Thanks!

Yes I have read Ann Patchett.  My favorite right now is The Storied Life of A.J. Kilry Judith

I’ll do that!  Read her Dutch House, good read but it took me a while to get into it.  I understand Tom Hanks reads it and I bet it’s good.  He would make it come alive, I bet. CJ