Well, dear reader friends, the time has come to discuss one of my all-time most very favorite books...
Because of Winn-Dixie.
This book brought me ever so much joy and friendship as an 11-year-old girl sitting all by myself in school, no friends in my class, feeling very much like I just didn't fit in. But one day, I opened this book and was welcomed into the friendship circle of Opal and Winn-Dixie. And this book has stuck with me ever since.
As an adult, some of the same things that I loved as a schoolgirl remain the same. The quaintness and heartwarming feel of the story. The cast of characters, who I'd love to know in real life. The sweet friendship and joy that a pet can bring. The magic of summertime. The way Opal felt out of place until she found "her people".
All that still remains in my heart and is very much why I love this story.
But, there's more now that I'm a "grown-up". I absolutely love the generational friendships in this story. I love how children are seen as people who very much have something to bring to a friendship...and to the world. I love how the adults truly bring those children into their spaces and never once were they made to feel like a nuisance. I love that friendships can bloom at any old time and in any old place...and sometimes because of a dog. Because of Winn-Dixie.
I love how hopeful this story feels. I love how it reignites so many summertime memories of my own childhood. I appreciate the idea that friendship can happen between any people who have a common interest of getting to know one another and being there for the other. I love how this book always makes me crave egg salad sandwiches...with pickles on the side. I love how magical and utterly delightful this story feels.
Truly, one of my all-time favorites, of any genre. Every time I read this, I am reminded why.
And have you seen the movie? It's one of my summertime must watches...in fact, I may have to pull it out soon for an evening of comfort and coziness.
There isn't anything I don't love about this book...
it's such a special story, and I'm thankful and glad it fell into my 11-year-old hands. ♥
As for June's book choice, I've gone for a fun, summery cozy mystery set in Scotland. This is the second in a duology, but I haven't gotten to read the first yet, and it's no big deal. This is a standalone story and I'm having no problems reading it without having read the first.
Let me tell you a bit about it...
Fiona Knox thought she was pulling her life back together when she inherited her godfather’s cottage in Duncreigan, Scotland—complete with a magical walled garden. But the erstwhile Tennessee flower shop owner promptly found herself puddle boot-deep in danger when she found a dead body among the glimmering blossoms. One police investigation later (made a trifle less unpleasant by the presence of handsome Chief Inspector Neil Craig), and Fiona’s life is getting back on a steady, though bewitched, track. Her sister Isla has just moved in with her, and the grand opening of her new spellbound venture, the Climbing Rose Flower Shop in Aberdeenshire, is imminent.
But dark, ensorcelled clouds are gathering to douse Fiona’s newly sunny outlook. First, imperious parish minister Quaid MacCullen makes it undeniably clear that he would be happy to send Fiona back to Tennessee. Then, a horrific lightning storm, rife with terribly omen, threatens to tear apart the elderly cottage and sends Fi and Isla cowering under their beds. The storm passes, but then, Fi is called away from the Climbing Rose’s opening soiree when Kipling, the tiny village’s weak-kneed volunteer police chief, finds a dead body on the beach.
The body proves difficult to identify, but Kipling is certain it’s that of the parish minister. Which makes Fiona, MacCullen’s new nemesis, a suspect. And what’s worse, Isla has seemed bewitched as of late…did she do something unspeakable to protect her sister? The last thing Fiona wanted to do was play detective again. But now, the rosy future she’d envisioned is going to seed, and if she and Craig can’t clear her name, her idyllic life will wilt away in Death and Daisies, national bestselling author Amanda Flower’s second enchanting Magic Garden mystery.
But dark, ensorcelled clouds are gathering to douse Fiona’s newly sunny outlook. First, imperious parish minister Quaid MacCullen makes it undeniably clear that he would be happy to send Fiona back to Tennessee. Then, a horrific lightning storm, rife with terribly omen, threatens to tear apart the elderly cottage and sends Fi and Isla cowering under their beds. The storm passes, but then, Fi is called away from the Climbing Rose’s opening soiree when Kipling, the tiny village’s weak-kneed volunteer police chief, finds a dead body on the beach.
The body proves difficult to identify, but Kipling is certain it’s that of the parish minister. Which makes Fiona, MacCullen’s new nemesis, a suspect. And what’s worse, Isla has seemed bewitched as of late…did she do something unspeakable to protect her sister? The last thing Fiona wanted to do was play detective again. But now, the rosy future she’d envisioned is going to seed, and if she and Craig can’t clear her name, her idyllic life will wilt away in Death and Daisies, national bestselling author Amanda Flower’s second enchanting Magic Garden mystery.
.........................................................................
I'm currently in the middle of this book and let me tell you...I am L O V I N G it! It's such a fun mystery, and the characters and setting are so phenomenal. Plus, it's got a bit of magic, which always is a huge bonus for me. {{smiles}}
I'd love to have you read along with me in June. You can find used copies of this book on AbeBooks right here. And, of course, your local library may have a copy as well. If you're in the mood for a lighter mystery, this is the book for you!
The chat for June's book club will be on Thursday, June 26th. I'll announce July's book then as well.
Until tomorrow, happy reading!
Oh, and I almost forgot, I have updated my YouTube channel as a bookish channel. And I've got a short little trailer up with plans for a summer book recommendation video coming soon...this is something I've wanted to do for a long time, and I'm so excited to begin sharing bookish videos! If you have any suggestions or specific topics related to books and the reading life, please let me know. I'm all ears!
You can find my channel HERE or by simply clicking the "my reading nook" button at the top of this page.