This is Sarah Addison Allen’s second novel after the great Garden Spells and I have to say I enjoyed this one just as much. So much so that I finished it in less than a day.
Again Allen weaves the mystical through this novel although in a different way from her first novel. She has also brought forth the ‘something edible’ in this book too; this time it’s candy instead of edible flowers.
This novel centers on Josey who has been under her mother’s thumb practically her whole life doing her errands, running her all over the place and essentially being her servant. This all changes when Josey opens her closet door and finds Della Lee Baker.
Della Lee figures Josey’s life needs changing and she sets about making that happen. From there on the story unfolds and we meet Chloe, Adam and Jake among others. These new people in Josey’s life help her realize that there’s more to her than she’s been brought up to believe and she finally begins to experience life.
This book also centres on books in a strange way which I won’t elaborate on for those who haven’t read it. I did however find this paragraph that really captures books for me and wanted to share it. “Books can be possessive, can’t they? You’re walking around in a bookstore and a certain one will jump out at you, like it had moved there on its own, just to get your attention. Sometimes what’s inside will change your life, but sometimes you don’t even have to read it. Sometimes it’s a comfort just to have a book around. Many of these books haven’t even had their spines cracked.” It goes on to ask this gentleman, “Why do you buy books you don’t even read? The response- “the company, of course.” This rings so true for me. I do find all of my books a comfort to me. Sometimes just laying my hand on one can bring me a feeling of peace because I know I can open it up and escape to another world.
This novel is so charming. It’s a story of friendship and love and the hope that comes to us with every new day. I also have to comment on the wonderful book covers that both The Sugar Queen and Garden Spells have-the covers alone seem to promise an enchanting tale. I would absolutely recommend this book. It’s a short and fast read but so worth it!
Other blog world reviews…Library Queue
This sounds like such a good read! I still haven’t read Garden Spells, but I would really like to. I also greatly enjoy the company of books…what would life be without them?
I think your excellent review has convinced me to look for it the next time I’m in a bookstore.
And I so understand about having books nearby! Just rubbing my hand over the cover or riffling its pages and letting the book scent fill me is soothing.
I can’t wait to read this one, just because I liked Garden Spells. Great review!
I am dying to read this! I am on the waiting list at the lib. I will read Garden Spells first and then this one. I wanted to get this on LT early reviewers SO bad…but they didn’t pick me. I think I wanted it mostly for the cover though, at least at first 🙂
Dar,
That is too cool!! We do think a little alike, especially about books!!
Staci, I laughed when I read your review. I thought it was great how we picked out the same quote. We do think a lot alike on books, that’s for sure.