Cassie Bustamante

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Book Review: Mr. Owita’s Guide to Gardening (And January Book Selection)

January 11, 2015 by Cassie 11 Comments

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Happy Sunday!  Last new year, I made a resolution to read one book a month.  I’ve always loved reading, and my favorite college classes as an English major were literature seminars.   I truly enjoyed sitting around a long table with fellow students and discussing books.  Symbolism was always one of my favorite things to look for and chat about.  I had fallen off the wagon with life being so busy, and had not read many books and felt a void.  The commitment I made last year led to this blogger book club, and I am so grateful!  It keeps me reading, and even more so gets me reading books I may not have otherwise read.  I am looking forward to keeping this going in the new year.

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Since I took a couple weeks off I am a little late in sharing my review of the December blogger book club book which was selected by Kirby, Mister Owita’s Guide to Gardening: How I Learned the Unexpected Joy of a Green Thumb and an Open Heart
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I am not usually one to pick up a memoir, though I’ve enjoyed so many I’ve read (like The Glass Castle By Jeanette Walls and It’s Always Something by Gilda Radner). And this book took a couple of chapters in to grab me, but it did.  Giles Owita is an immigrant from Africa, a peaceful humble gardener who is so much more than meets the eye.  Carol Wall is a cancer survivor with a yard in need of serious love.  The two form an unlikely friendship that runs deeper than most, and they have the kinds that we can all strive for…. where we help our friends selflessly because we truly love them and want to see them happy and healthy.  This story was heartwarming although bittersweet, truthful and open and raw at times.  I truly enjoyed it, and loved learning more and more about Giles Owita, who was a fascinating man!

For January it was Carmel’s turn to choose and she selected A Snicker of Magic by Natalie Lloyd.  I’m excited to read this as it sounds very different from anything I’ve read lately!
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Also I wanted to mention that I just finished All the Light We Cannot See: A Novel by Anthony Doerr.  This was an intense novel of a few individual WWII stories woven together… beautifully written and tragic, as any WWII book would be, I suppose.  It’s reminded me that I need to reread Night by Elie Wiesel.

Anyhow, be sure to check out all of the book clubber’s posts!  I will link to them as soon as they are up!

 

 

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Comments

  1. Julia@Cuckoo4Design says

    January 11, 2015 at 3:20 pm

    My list of books to read just keeps getting longer and longer 🙁 and netflix has been winning lately if I do have some time

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      January 12, 2015 at 11:07 am

      there are so many good shows out there, but i find reading is so much better for my mind- it relaxes me, and takes me to another place. when i watch tv i tend to check my phone or email or whatever and not really unwind.

      Reply
  2. Jessica @ Dear Emmeline says

    January 11, 2015 at 5:36 pm

    Whole30 brain talking but I saw snicker and immediately I wanted Snickers! Ha.

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      January 12, 2015 at 11:06 am

      HAHAHA!

      Reply
  3. Kim@reposhture says

    January 11, 2015 at 5:43 pm

    I just re-read Night over Christmas break. I had forgotten how powerful and vivid it made WWII and the Holocaust. It is one that I will always keep in my repertoire. Love it. I also read Schindler’s List. Not sure why I am on a Holocaust kick but that was another amazing book and really a great book but also so real.

    I think I am going to have to read Mr. Owita’s Guide to Gardenking. It sounds challenging!

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      January 12, 2015 at 11:05 am

      i need to read it again! it is on my list. mr. owita’s guide to gardening was really good, and seriously made me think about my friendships and being the kind of friend i want to have.

      Reply
  4. Gretchen says

    January 11, 2015 at 10:15 pm

    All the Light We Cannot See is on my Amazon wish list right now and A Snicker of Magic is one I almost bought the kids for Christmas :). This is the year I return to from my baby-induced reading fast, I tell you!

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      January 12, 2015 at 11:04 am

      it was intense, but oh so good!

      Reply
  5. kirby says

    January 12, 2015 at 10:12 am

    Tomorrow morning…fingers crossed.

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      January 12, 2015 at 10:54 am

      you can do it.

      Reply
  6. Carmel says

    February 1, 2015 at 11:04 pm

    I really like this book too! Slow but such a great story – loved the realness and honesty.

    Reply

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Hi, I’m Cassie!

I believe that you don't have to spend a lot of money to live a beautiful life and be your best self.  Here you will find budget friendly ideas to live happily, healthily, sustainably, and most importantly authentically.  We all get one chance at this life, and this ordinary girl plans to make hers extraordinary. How about you? Read more...
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Hi! I'm Cassie.

Mother, wife, shop owner, blogger, writer, incurable diy-er, furniture painter, coffee and wine drinker, friend. Seeking happiness and passing it on. Read More…

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