This is a review of the Folsom Garden Club Library and its curator Lynn Emmick. Lynn has done a wonderful job of procuring and hauling books back and forth to each monthly meeting. This is a lot of work and I’m sure she must do it because she really likes books.
With winter coming and a break in garden season, I recommend each member check out the books on the table at the next meeting. There are research books about certain types of plants and novels of romance and mystery taking place in all types of garden settings.
Currently, I am reading murder mysteries set in English gardens by Anthony Eglin. Eglin lives in Sonoma, Ca, but is from England. He has written “The Blue Rose”, “The Lost Garden” and “Waterlily Cross”. Once I picked them up, I just wanted to keep reading. Famous English gardens are visited and described in detail. And of course houses are burglarized, secrets are stolen and minor characters are murdered.

They are great!

I have also read Nora Roberts garden trilogy: “Blue Dahlia”, “Black Rose”, and “Red Lily”. These were fun, silly, happy ending, predictable romance novels that were enjoyable and light hearted reads.

I also highly recommend:

Mrs. Whaley and Her Charleston Garden by Emily Whaley in conversation with William Baldwin, published by Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill, 1997

Emily Whaley’s Charleston, South Carolina, garden is probably the most visited private garden in America. Every spring and fall she opened her garden to different charity groups resulting in 2-3 thousand visitors each year. In this book she tells stories about her gardening. But mostly it is about her very full life, philosophy of life, family, & gardens, filled with wit and grace. She even includes a few recipes she always prepared when entertaining in her garden. Garden wisdom, positive attitude. Mrs. Whaley passed away in 1998 at the age of 87 just after publication of the book. When I finished the book, I thought …..well that was just lovely.
Plus, Michael Pollens books about food and the industry are very interesting.
If you like to read about gardens, romance in gardens, or murder in gardens……our club library has it all. Thank you Lynn for continuing to do a wonderful job and service for the Folsom Garden Club.

Rhonda DesVoignes