Book: The Fair Botanists by Sara Sheridan

I’ve always wanted to pick up one of the gift wrapped books coffee shops have. This, was one of several temptations at Golden Hare books in Edinburgh. I picked it as it was based in Edniburgh and it did not disappoint.

It’s another triumphant historical fiction but based entirely around wonderful female characters in 1800’s Edinbugh.

We meet a widow who has to approach her former husband’s gentrified family for support, and Belle, an independent woman with entrepreneurial skills who strives to earn a living and maintain a household. Their stories are compelling, but the supporting cast of other women adds rich color and texture to this wonderful tale, which centers around horticulture. I’m surprised it hasn’t been featured on *Gardeners' World*. More, please!

I started at the end of October during a visit to Liverpool and didn’t any reading in December. This always surprises me as I always imagine I’ll be sitting by the tree reading the whole month. When I was younger,i would often re-read Lttle Women during the this time. Now my favourite time of the year is filled with, well, Christmas.