Any time of the year is good for delving into a new book. Here are some reviews of several titles on various subjects that will appeal to gardeners.


Desserts 4 Today-Flavorful Desserts With Just Four Ingredients

By Abigail Johnson Dodge, this was published by Taunton Press. One look at the cover, and you know you’re in for a treat. This delightful book has scrumptious, easy to prepare recipes for 125 irresistible desserts. Many of these dishes feature mouth-watering fruits or other items from the garden, such as nuts or herbs.

For each tantalizing dish, this has a list of ingredients and easy to follow directions. This also offers several variations or garnishes, which the author calls Switch-Ins, Change It Up, and Gussy It Up. Imagine a granita made with berries and plums fresh from the garden. The cranberry-raspberry sherbet is utterly delicious, especially on hot days. Other hot weather treats include a raspberry-chocolate ice cream pie. Some of the other fruit based desserts include peach and fruit cobblers, plum tarts, fruit turnovers, and pies. There are classic, all-time favorites, such as strawberry pie and baked apples.

At the back of the book is a glossary of garnishes and add-ons. There is also a glossary of the essential food items. The author provides a through background on choosing your four ingredients and any additional garnishes. There are also fruit selection guidelines. This comprehensive section also has tips on choosing kitchen gadgets and cooking/baking equipment.


Simple Pleasures of the Home-Comforts and Crafts for Living Well

By Susannah Seton, this essential guide was released by Conari Press. With the economic downtown that never seems to end, what can we do to relieve stress? This book reveals it is the little things in everyday life that really count. The author presents simple things we can make or do for a better life. From beginning to end, this volume is overflowing with little tips that will add greatly to our everyday lives. Many of these tips and ideas relate to gardening, herbs, and other garden-related ingredients or activities.

This book is well organized and easy to use. In this volume, the tips are organized room by room in the house. There is a combined section for the living and dining room. A section is also devoted to the family room.

In addition, there is an entire section on the outdoor garden space. This book features inspiring poetry and literary quotes. There are simple, easy to follow recipes of all sorts. This has all sorts of garden-related crafts and tips. The topics range from daisy chains and natural dyes to flower arranging, aromatherapy, and the like. This also has very helpful gardening tips. There are all sorts of ideas on how to use plants, herbs, flowers, and garden crafts throughout the home. For example, this has recipes for sachets. There are cooking and craft recipes of all kinds. These include a rosemary wreath, fruit leathers, and gifts from the garden.

For disclosure purposes I received review copies of these books from the publishers.