Sunday, June 12, 2022

Weekend Update and Book Reviews - A Rose Named Peace: How Francis Meilland Created a Flower of Hope for a World at War; Barbara Carroll Roberts - Celia Planted a Garden: Story of Celia Thaxter and Her Island; Phyllis Root & Gary D. Schmidt

Barbara Carroll Roberts  (Ill. Bagram Ibatoulline)
Candlewick Press - 2022

Anyone who has an affinity for roses has probably called the "Peace Rose" one of their favorites.  Francis Meilland was born in France in the early 19th century.  As a young boy he enjoyed gardening and roses in particular. Experimenting with cross-pollination and grafting, he was able to cultivate a new variety around the time World War II broke out. He managed to send clippings to growers around the world and some six years later he learned from many his efforts were a huge success.  "Peace was the name given to it by a rose grower named Robert Pyle from The United States.

This was such a lovely book and, isn't "peace" around the world something we need more of?  I loved this book for many reasons: wonderful true story, loveliest of watercolor illustrations and, a book that reminded me of my mother who had a gorgeous rose garden--(the "peace rose" was always her favorite.

A lovely book that is not just for children.

Rating - 5/5 star
Another lovely summertime book that tells the story of Celia Thaxter a 19th century poet, painter and avid gardener. She grew up in Portsmouth, NH and later relocated with her family to White Island, off the coast of New Hampshire and Maine when her father became the keeper of the lighthouse there.  When Celia was 12 her father built a resort hotel on Apple Dove Island with worldwide visitors which include Hawthorne and Longfellow and Whittier. Celia played a large role in the gardening design which included some 70+ varieties of flowers while continuing to work on her poetry and painting.

This would make a great addition for nature lovers and poetry fans. The pastel illustrations evocative of the summer landscape are lovely. I also enjoyed samples of Celia's poetry. Her personal story was interesting and her love of gardening, nature art and poetry share within this book gives readers a feel for why spending summer in Maine draws people from all over the world - a magical place to visit.

RATING - 5/5 stars

NOTE: Both of these books were sent to me by Candlewick Press in exchange for my unbiased reviews.


Still Need to Review

5/5 stars - hated to see it end

so different - took a lot of brain power in an off week
4/5 stars

Currently Listening To

pretty good at 24% mark

pretty good at 54% mark - Barrie Krenik is a great narrator


Share your week by posting a link on Deb's Blog HERE


31 comments:

  1. These both sound lovely, Diane. The Peace rose is beautiful and yes, we could do with a 'lot' more peace around the world. And possibly a few less politicians...

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  2. Both of these books sound interesting and...peaceful. I'll have to check them out! Thank you for sharing!

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    1. They both were quite special and just what I needed this week.

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  3. How nice to read books that sound peaceful and lovely. We have some nice roses in our garden and our town has a beautiful rose garden at the Mission, but you remind me that I have not spent enough time with either spot.

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  4. Peace and beauty are high on my wish for the remainder of 2022.

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  5. Those books sound good. I really want to read Lucy by the Sea. It's on my wishlist. I hope you have a great week!

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    1. Lucy By the Sea does not disappoint, I love her reflective style.

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  6. Hi Diane! I bought Cloud Cuckoo land this week and can't wait to read it. It's going into the book club kitty, so I'll get to it. It all comes down to this is starting to make an appearance. I'll have to check it out a bit!

    Thanks for visiting us and I hope you will have a good week.

    Lots of Love,

    Elza Reads

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    1. I hope you enjoy. Very different but, I loved how it all came together.

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  7. My dad got me Cloud Cuckoo for Christmas, but I still haven't read it. I'm also slightly worried about the amount of brain power it will take. I always feel like I'm too tired for challenging books.

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    1. It was very good but, I kept trying to figure out how it would all come together instead of going with the flow. Great writing.

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  8. What a lovely collection of books, some of which I've already read and others that I need to read. I've grown a Peace rose for many years. It has well earned its place as a favorite. Wonderful plant.

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    1. Glad you call the Peace rose a favorite Dorothy - so pretty.

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  9. Hey Diane! I'm finally back around and commenting again. I read that Lisa Scottoline book some weeks back and enjoyed it pretty well. I'm still struggling a bit with the psychological thrillers, but my reading overall is going better. Back to blogging tomorrow and we are back from our postponed vacation in Asheville, NC. Lots to tell and show! LOL

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    1. Welcome Back Kay, can't wait to read about your travels. Psych thrillers have disappointed me lately as well.

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  10. Both of those books look so lovely... like a breath of fresh air! Glad Lucy by the Sea was a hit. I know I'll be reading that one ASAP. It All Comes Down to This is on my radar, so I'll look for your thoughts on that one, too.

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    1. You will enjoy Lucy By the Sea, still the same Lucy. I love the writing and this one takes place during COVID.

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  11. When I've taken tours of old, often decommissioned lighthouses and their attached living quarters, I always try to imagine what it was like to live far off near the water and far from shopping and people and schools and libraries. There are now so few isolated places where lighthouse keepers are really isolated as many were in earlier times. (Exception: we visited the lighthouse at Cape Horn at the tip of South America, which is INCREDIBLY isolated! And met the lighthouse keeper and his family.) So this book sounds quite intriguing.

    best... mae at maefood.blogspot.com

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    1. What a lovely travel venture visiting these lighthouses and South America too - how fascinating. I love reading about them now and then.

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  12. Oh, wow. "Lucy by the Sea"...didn't even know that Elizabeth Strout already had a new novel out there. I'm a big fan but haven't been able to keep as closely in touch with what's being published like I did when I was reviewing new books. It's amazing how quickly that can happen. I'm going to jump all over that one.

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    1. Sam, I found it to be a wonderful follow-up series book set in COVID time NY and Maine. Now to catch up on reviews at some point.

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  13. I had a peace rose when we lived in Nebraska. It has such a beautiful blossom. Lovely books from Candlewick Press.

    I'm eager to try Cloud Cuckoo Land, but need to wait until I can give it my full attention. I try to go with the flow and try not to sort it out as I read.

    Have a good week!

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    1. Yes, and although the audio narration is great, I got a better hold on the story with the print edition.

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  14. The children's books look lovely! Hmm, now I'm dreaming of living in a lighthouse off the coast of New Hampshire. ♥

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  15. I'd love to read both A Rose Named Peace and Celia Planted a Garden.

    And I didn't know that Elizabeth Strout had a new book coming out. Hurray!

    Thank you so much for sharing these.

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    1. Elizabeth Strout is a favorite author. You would love these (2) lovely summertime books Deb.

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  16. Hooray for Celia Thaxter! I have "followed" publications about her for decades. Most of all, I am fascinated by her friendship with the artist Childe Hassam, who painted many portraits of her gardens and of the Isle(s) of Shoals. Definitely look him up. I imagine that your local library will have books of his paintings.

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  17. Wow a report on Lucy by the Sea already?! Nice. Barrie Krenik's reading of the novel Migrations was so good ... that I'd seek her out again. Awesome.

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