The Sassy Bookworm

Book Review: RHS The Garden Almanac 2025

Rating: 5 Stars

As a passionate (wannabe) gardener, I can confidently say that RHS The Garden Almanac 2025 is a delightful gem that every green thumb should have on their shelf! From the moment I laid eyes on the cover, I was smitten. It's just gorgeous! The beautiful artwork by Angie Lewin sets the perfect tone for this almanac, making it not only a practical guide but also a visual treat.

This book provides a month-by-month roadmap to nurturing your garden and connecting with nature throughout the year. Each chapter is dedicated to a specific month, starting with January, and is packed with practical tips on what to plant, harvest, and even how to deal with any pesky insects that might invade your garden. The wealth of information is tailored specifically for the UK climate.

What I love most is the rich variety of content included in each month. You'll find everything from projected sunrise and sunset times (as well as moonrise and moonset) to average rainfall—such practical details that truly help you plan your gardening adventures. There are also fantastic ideas for seasonal projects, which inspire me to get my hands dirty and try something new!

The illustrations in this book are simply stunning. It's filled with photographs of fruits, vegetables, and the native wildlife that enrich our gardens. These visuals not only captivate the eye but also serve as a reminder of the beauty of nature and the joy of gardening. Plus, the inclusion of folk tales, festivals, and snippets of garden history sprinkled throughout adds a charming touch, making the reading experience even more enriching.

And let's not forget about the recipes! They are a wonderful way to make use of seasonal produce, turning your gardening efforts into culinary delights. Whether you're an experienced gardener or just starting out, this almanac offers something for everyone.

Overall, RHS The Garden Almanac 2025 is an invaluable resource filled with inspiration and practical advice. It's not just a book; it's a companion for your gardening journey throughout the year. I can't recommend it enough as a perfect gift for anyone who shares a love for plants and gardening. Trust me, you won't regret adding this beauty to your collection!

⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️

Book Review: Field Notes from a Fungi Forager: An Illustrated Journey Through the World of Pacific Northwest Mushrooms by Ashley Rodriguez & Libby England (illustrator)

IMPORTANT NOTE: The author makes it clear that this book is NOT intended to be a field guide and should not be used for identifying mushroom species, particularly those meant for consumption.

Rating: 5 Stars

As an avid mushroom lover and forager-in-training, I couldn't wait to dive into Field Notes from a Fungi Forager by Ashley Rodriguez. From the moment I laid eyes on that stunning cover, I knew I was in for a visual treat. The illustrations throughout the book are nothing short of breathtaking, each one capturing the unique beauty of these fascinating fungi.

Rodriguez takes us on a captivating journey through the lush landscapes of the Pacific Northwest, where mushrooms thrive in every nook and cranny—from misty evergreen forests to charming urban backyards. This book is a heartfelt homage to the magic of mushrooms. With 50 meticulously detailed profiles, Rodriguez introduces readers to both beloved varieties like morels and chanterelles and lesser-known gems such as the enchanting wood blewit and the eye-catching bleeding tooth fungus. Each entry is packed with fascinating information about appearance, habitat, seasons, and even cultural lore, making it a treasure trove for anyone curious about these remarkable organisms.

What I appreciate most is how Rodriguez emphasizes that this isn't a field guide; it's a personal exploration. Her passion for foraging is palpable, and she shares her own experiences in a way that makes you feel connected to the forest floor. The book serves as an entertaining starting point for anyone looking to embark on the gratifying adventure of mushroom foraging. It's infused with practical tips on best practices and foraging etiquette, which is incredibly helpful for newcomers like myself.

Each mushroom profile also features mouthwatering culinary suggestions, sparking my imagination about how to incorporate these earthy delights into my home cooking. As someone who loves mushrooms in all forms—grilled, sautéed, or simply tossed into a hearty stew—this section particularly resonated with me.

In short, Field Notes from a Fungi Forager is a beautifully crafted book that is part memoir, and all passion. It's perfect for coffee tables or as a thoughtful gift for fellow mushroom enthusiasts. Whether you're a seasoned forager or just dipping your toes into the world of fungi, this book is an absolute must-have. Thank you, Ashley Rodriguez, for sharing your love of mushrooms with us!

⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️

I have been a big fan of Santa Montefiore's books for awhile now and her novels set in South America are some of the best I have read, so I looked forward to this one with much anticipation, alas it just did not live up to her other novels. The characters were unlikeable, the plot predictable and the ending confusing! If you are thinking of trying this author definitely try “Meet Me Under the Ombu Tree”, “The Butterfly Box” or “The Forget-me-not Sonata”.

Being a huge fan of novels that take place during the US civil war and the novel Little Women I could not wait to dive into this one and I was not disappointed! March is a is really well-written and researched work of fiction based on real life people/events. I am always intrigued when an author takes a well know novel or character and builds a whole new story around them. The only thing I found off putting was how Marmee was portrayed, I found her rather unlikable and she came across as a spoiled brat 95% of the time. A thumb up for this one!!

I am still digesting this book so it may get another star sometime in the future. This book is just chuck full of facts, little insights, names, dates and just so much information that I found it both fascinating and frustrating to read. That aside I thought it was a really interesting read and would recommend it to any one who has an interest in gardening!

I thoroughly enjoyed this one! It is a mix of genre's from a gothic , mystery, supernatural, with a bit of a love story thrown in for good measure. The writing, is beautifully descriptive, almost poetic and the story interesting. I always admire an author that can weave facts with fiction and create both a compelling and entertaining read and Miz Stott has certainly achieved that with this novel. I look forward to reading more from this author!

What an intriguing little read this book was! I think Geraldine Brooks is fast becoming one of my favorite authors! This was a remarkable story about the history of the priceless medieval Jewish prayer book, the Sarajevo Haggadah. Jumping back and forth in time and giving us beautiful and painful insights into the history of the book, the author does a wonderful job of wrapping facts with fiction and creating a very spellbinding read. This is definitely one to add to you own “to read” list!

I am so diggin books by Canadian author's lately, especially if they take place in Canada also. This book hooked me from page one, loved the characters, loved the setting (I want to pack my bags and move to Three Pines right now!! lol) and loved all the little Canadian references. I am actually pretty good at figuring out “who done it's” but this one had be stumped until the very end! My only small complaint was the Yvette Nichol character, this character seemed really under developed and really didn't add anything to the story, in fact if she had been erased from the narrative all together I don't think it would have any affected the storyline whatsoever. Since this is book one of a series, perhaps the author has other plans for the character in later books? If you love a good mystery this gets a big thumbs up from me!

This is Rachel Stolzman's debut novel and I can tell you right now that it surely will not be her last! I curled up on the sofa yesterday and read this wonderful book from cover to cover. The prologue sets the stage and has to be one of the best, most poignant prologues I have read in awhile. The story of Anna and Adrea is just so wonderfully done, the writing so heartfelt, almost poetic in style. The whole novel is just such a great testament to those who have loved and lost and loved again. I can't wait to see what the future holds for this author!

This is book #2 of the “Magdalene Line Trilogy”, I finished book #1 last week (The Expected One) and really enjoyed it, this one I didn't quite love as much. The first book had a good pace to it and the balance between present day story and past was perfect. Book #2 was much slower paced and the present day story really took a backseat in this book, I would have preferred more character development on that front. That being said I did really enjoy the story of Matilda, so not as good as the first in the series, but good enough that I will definitely be picking up book #3 when it comes out!!