The Comfort Book Club / Life in the Garden by Penelope Lively

Welcome to May's Comfort Book Club discussion! My Mum, Donna, and I are chatting about this month's book club choice, 'Life in the Garden' by Penelope Lively There are spoilers in this chat, as we're assuming you have read the book if you watch. Special thanks to the readers who sent voice messages for this video, which were included in our discussion: Myriam, Eriko, Laura, Marie, Catherine and Caroline.
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LINKS:
(affiliate links used for Blackwells)
My general Blackwells link: blackwells.co....
Life in the Garden by Penelope Lively: blackwells.co....
Tom's Midnight Garden by Philippa Pearce: blackwells.co....
Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen: blackwells.co....
Pride & Prejudice (Marjolein Bastin edition): blackwells.co....

[@vasilikianastasopoulou6580]

Dear Miranda I'm watching your videos the last three years or so. You are such an inspiration for my readings. Many of your suggested books have been a real delight. Compliments for the fabulous aesthetic and warmth of your videos and vlogs! And of course, i always enjoy the presence of your lovely mom! Thank you❤

[@MirandaMills]

Thank you very much! 💕

[@teresaparkins1255]

Hello Miranda and Donna, well! I have been holding off watching because I couldn't find 'Life in the Garden' on my bookshelves and I didn't want to spoil the reading experience before I bought a copy. However, I could hold off no longer and enjoyed listening to the discussion .... but as you talked I had the feeling that I recognised this book. As soon as I finished watching I knew I had to have one more look through my shelves and, yes, you've guessed there was Penelope Lively's book tucked up in a corner and what a joy it is when that happens. Now you can imagine what is going straight on my bedside table for reading tonight. Thank you both so much for this lovely discussion and to your voice mail contributors who were so insightful in their comments. Happy reading, Teresa 📚🌹

[@MJ-in-Canada]

“Life in the Garden” is one of my favourite Comfort Book Club choices of all time. Thank you! 🌻I agree with Donna that it leads you down many a rabbit hole.🐇 I enjoyed researching every little gem of information that Penelope Lively sprinkled throughout the book. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves gardening or spending time in gardens. It would also make a thoughtful gift to the gardeners in your life.

[@MirandaMills]

I’m so glad you enjoyed it so much!

[@bookprincess612]

What a wonderful surprise to go into the evening....📖

[@catherinemcconkey8526]

Lovely chat - you're both so sweet together. Your mum is so cozy and warm:) ❤

[@Books-Are-Brilliant]

I missed out on reading this book with all of you, but it definitely sounds like one to dip into. Looking forward to that!😀

[@sandyokey1019]

I saved this video to enjoy today so I wouldn’t feel rushed, yesterday being a little busy. I smiled when you and Donna spoke about not being gardeners as I am not either. In all truth, I can kill silk, so plants and gardens are loved and appreciated from the distance of a book page or window. 😊 as always, I enjoyed this video and thank you both 💕💐💕

[@mhairigilchrist9792]

Lovely discussion on a book I've still to read, but it has whetted my appetite. I am a nominal gardener in possession of a lovely big garden which was lovingly tended by my in laws and Sister, and was a great playground for small boys with Nerf guns 😂. With the exception of the plants originally put into the garden, the rest is made up of plants that nature herself has chosen to plant 😉. An inexpensive climbing rose is enjoying the natural trellis it makes it way around giving off the most beautiful scent. Anyhoo, I must order this book from the library, as I do enjoy a book on gardens and this one sounds delightful. Thank you both again for the interesting discussion. x

[@virginiaanderson8875]

So glad I turned in - Nick of time. I wasnt sure with the new schedule what time on the last Thursday it would be with our time differences 💕☺️Thank you for opening us to this wonderful book about gardening and you are correct, you are so lucky with your weather for the gardens - I am now in a hot climate so, it is limiting to what can weather the heat. Enjoyed this book , thank you again!!

[@MirandaMills]

Thank you, Virginia! So glad you enjoyed the book 🌷💕

[@inlaterdays]

I was busy all day yesterday, but I've been looking forward to watching this ever since the notification went up! This morning, I was able to sit down with a nice hot cup of tea and enjoy. I absolutely love reading about gardens, so I loved this book. It made me extra aware of some of my neighbors' gardens as they started blooming this spring. I really enjoyed the discussion, too! Thank you both for choosing this book.

[@silviajordanova1046]

So lovely❤ Thank you, dear Miranda!📚🌹🌻

[@laurac56]

I borrowed and read the ebook of this and loved it so much that I bought the hardcover. Thank you for introducing this to me. (I love Tom’s Midnight Garden too.)

[@MirandaMills]

I'm so glad you enjoyed it so much!

[@Bearcub599]

Thank you both for the lively discussion! So uplifting as always enjoyed listening to everyone’s thoughts on the book too😊

[@carolbialy5920]

Another winner, thank you! As a professional gardener for 30 years, I admit to being ever so slightly cynical when someone suggests a nonfiction garden book but my trust in you is obviously complete because here I am thoroughly enjoying this. I would love to read a Wharton work with you! Thanks Miranda and Donna. What a delight!

[@MirandaMills]

Glad you’re enjoying it!

[@carolinesimmill4962]

I really found Life in the Garden a very interesting book. I enjoyed learning about the history of gardening. Roman box hedges and the gardens designed by Capability Brown for the rich really did remind me a bit of Pemberley all those impressive grounds, trees grouped together and the lake which Mr Darcy made famous by his swim in the television version all those years ago. The hard work and the planning of the gardens by Monet were in themselves a work of art by the sounds of things and I have seen photographs of Monet in his garden who must have felt really proud of what he achieved. Penelope Lively is straight forward and uncomplicated to read and I could imagine the gardens she described so well. Thank you Miranda for introducing me to this lovely book and hello to Donna who spoke so nicely about paintings of gardens.

[@shanne6625]

Thanks!

[@MirandaMills]

Thank you so much, Shanne, for your very kind support! I so appreciate your generosity ❤️📚💐

[@debbiew7496]

Penelope’s opinion of The Secret Garden is probably the source of her robin’s disapproval 😉. I am envious of English gardens and so agree with you Donna that prairie gardeners cherish the garden season and don’t take it for granted. The frost-free season where I live usually runs from May 25th to September 12th, and I have seen snow in every month except July. We pack in a year full of garden love into those few months of joyous colour and scent. I agree with the author that gardens are very personal. I have memorial plants/trees chosen to reflect the personality of the person I am remembering - turning sadness to beauty. I do keep a garden journal as well which helps me to appreciate the garden even more (photos included)!

[@MirandaMills]

Thank you so much for all your thoughtful words, Debbie! I find your memorial plants/ trees especially touching 🙏❤️📚🌳💐

[@faithwentworth7906]

Wonderful discussion! Always, I tend to look forward to the non fiction choices less, and then proceed to enjoy the books thoroughly. So lovely to read about gardens and gardening in May. Especially, I enjoyed the chapter, " Time, Order, and the Garden". Lively's thoughts about probable Neolithic gardening, and her facts about the oldest trees in the world are fascinating. Also, I learned that certain plants proliferated via railway lines, and how bombed areas encouraged the growth of other plants. Captivating stuff!

[@MirandaMills]

I’m so very happy you enjoyed it, Faith! Thank you very much for your kind and generous support! I appreciate it so much ❤️📚💐xxx

[@maryflaherty7096]

I turned this on this morning. Then had to leave. Now,remembered to come back. Never want to miss your Vlog. Your mother here too.

[@ingaurban404]

Dear Miranda and Donna, thank you so much for this wonderful video. I always enjoy these videos so much where you to talk so fondly of inspiring books. Have a wonderful weekend❤

[@MirandaMills]

Thanks so much, Inga! ❤️📚

[@myriammourani3145]

Excellent video, as always! I always learn so much about the book after listening to everyone's discussion. It makes me want to re-read the book to see what I missed!

[@MirandaMills]

Thanks so much, Myriam, for your message! It was great to hear your thoughts, and we really appreciate your contributions ❤️📚🙏

[@emmavd]

Thank you, Miranda and Donna!🌷I’ve enjoyed your discussion very much, as it offered me the opportunity to think again about this wonderful book. I read it when it came out, and loved it so much that I’ve since gifted it to a couple of friends. Among other things, it inspired me to read My Antonia by Willa Cather, and I’m still grateful for it.

[@stephanienygaard4337]

I really enjoy these book discussions, Miranda and Donna! I am a garden admirer and love reading about gardens. I've tried over the years to become an actual gardener, but I need to be honest with myself that I would much rather be writing a poem about a garden than digging in the dirt. :) My husband is an actual gardener, though, so I can admire his work.

[@MirandaMills]

We are fellow garden admirers, Stephanie!

[@glendaslanina9939]

Hello Miranda and Donna. I love gardens, but not gardening. Donna, your description including dirt under the fingernails described my sentiments perfectly. I appreciate formal gardens but my heart is with the whimsical gardens filled with colorful and rather haphazardly planted blooms. I was especially interested in the topics of gardens in art and literature. Thank you for this chose for May.🌸🪻🌷

[@MirandaMills]

Yes, her thoughts on gardens in art & literature were so interesting! 🌷

[@gramarye_cottage]

Gardens are fascinating to me, especially wild cottage gardens. But I’m with Donna in regards to not actually getting my hands dirty myself lol

[@GemmaCreegan-tp4dk]

I love these book chats with your Mum and another book to add to my growing TBR pile thanks to your wonderful vlog. I am watching this with a coffee on a sunny Friday morning in Melbourne

[@DibBaggy1]

I'm really looking forward to reading Jane Austin's Pride & Prejudice, June is my birthday month so reading Jane Austin will be the perfect gift 🤩

[@janetwagner5859]

Excellent choice for this month. I really enjoy Penelope Lively's writing, and I've been a keen gardener since early childhood when I would trail after my mother as she gardened. Tending a garden can be like being the steward of something for future generations to enjoy. I tended a garden in the churchyard of a historic church, and that was a source of great pleasure and great stories. Brides chose to be photographed in front of peonies I'd planted, and peonies last about fifty years in Virginia, where I live. Tourists wandered over to ask questions like Are those graves real. While I've never had the luck to see Arcadia staged, I have read the script. Stoppard is brilliant! The format is beyond innovative, and his stage directions wonderful. Oh, how I would have loved to have attended the London premiere, with the cast that was perfect for their roles.

[@MirandaMills]

Thank you! So glad you enjoyed this month's choice, and thank you for sharing your own gardening experiences!

[@janineduclos9774]

Aww... I love your discussion about gardens and in particular artists gardens. I have visited Monets garden and it is truly spectacular. I would also recommend you check out Max Libermanns stunning paintings of his garden near Berlin.. He is perhaps lesser known but his paintings are as beautiful ❤ Thank you for the work you put into this channel it brings me so much joy, bless you both xx

[@MirandaMills]

Thank you so much, Janine! ❤️

[@virginiaanderson8875]

Edith Wharton had beautiful gardens at “The Mount” - we drove out that way from Boston many times, as the summers in that area was also the summer home of the Boston Symphony - and living in Boston all our lives - we took advantage of so much and happy memories. The snow chased us out upon retirement.

[@MirandaMills]

I'd love to see The Mount sometime! I was in Boston in 2019 and so enjoyed it!

[@maries3000]

Hello Miranda & Donna, this was such an interesting discussion. Like you, I’ve never managed to get to a National Garden Scheme garden, though I’m always fascinated to see what other gardeners are growing. I agree with Donna about the quote I chose…I’m off to discover Tom’s Midnight Garden, as I’ve never read it. Really looking forward to next month’s discussion of Pride & Prejudice.

[@MirandaMills]

Thanks so much for your great message, Marie! Hope you enjoy Tom’s Midnight Garden too 💐📚❤️

[@Riya-VP]

I'm just about to order this book!! New subscriber here and absolutely loving your content. May I also say your dresses are all so beautiful!! Where is your dress in this video from plz?

[@MirandaMills]

Welcome! Most of my dresses (including this one) are from Seasalt, but this is old & no longer available

[@jillizzard9291]

I've just ordered 'Life in the Garden'....sounds very down to earth - 'scuse the pun! I too keep a Garden Journal....always so much to write about daily! :)

[@MirandaMills]

Wonderful! Hope you enjoy it!

[@corneliabayley723]

A wonderful book,beautifully written.

[@Lynne1960s]

I'm part way through Life in the Garden but still enjoyed the discussion. It's not a book I would have picked up so thank you for another great suggestion. I love visiting gardens especially the Yellow Book (National Garden Scheme) open gardens as they are so interesting and vary in size, design and variety and are often just literally a small back garden of a normal sized house, so informal. I agree with Penelope Lively about the Secret Garden, sorry! I enjoyed it as a child but not on my recent read 🌻🌹🌳

[@1Thedairy]

Thank you for your recommendation. I will definitely buy as I am passionate about my garden. It kept me sane during COVID and it’s helping through a difficult time now with my husband.

[@MirandaMills]

Wishing you all the best and continued joy in your gardening! ❤️

[@ingertsvard6731]

I stabled over this book a year a good and adored it the first time I read it and it holds up for a second read. I now live in California and it is, for me, too warm and dry in the summer we do have a garden with tomatoes, oranges, figs, avocados, rhubarb (they need soooo much care and love to survive in this climate) raspberries, blueberries and some flowers but the watering take up much time. We collect rain water in the winter and have a tons of different system to conserve water - I wish I lived in England so I could have a really GARDEN!!!

[@MirandaMills]

I do so appreciate the temperate climate here for gardening, but it sounds like you’re making a beautiful garden in California with much care and attention, Ingert 👏❤️📚

[@bronwynseal7980]

Just found you today. Thank you for your interesting discussion!

[@MirandaMills]

Thank you, and welcome!

[@EstoNoEsUnSpoiler]

That book is lovely and very comforting. The Spanish edition was published in tandem with Roger Deakin's Waterlog and they complement each other so well.

[@hannahbest2274]

It sounds good, I will try and get a copy to read soon, thanks

[@lynstrohbach3586]

I look forward to getting this book! I am just starting to watch your videos, and love the books you are recommending because I’m a book lover and a gardener. I just wanted to mention that I am related to Willa Cather by blood and Mark Twain by marriage so books are in my blood and am contemplating writing one of my own. I obviously live in the States (Minnesota) but I’m a definite Anglophile as most of my ancestry is from England, Ireland and Scotland. I love you ladies and wish you were my next door neighbors!

[@janicemacdougall1844]

I plan to reread Elizabeth and her German Garden and Pride and Prejudice next month. :) I look forward to the Pride and Prejudice discussion next month!

[@KimtheElder]

So enjoyable to sit and chat with you two and the MM Channel friends.

[@MirandaMills]

Thank you so much, Kim ❤️

[@Catherine-2008]

Interesting and lovely as always!

[@GillBourne-fu6of]

Loved this one especially and all your thoughts on it. There is an interesting story centred around the healing and spiritual aspects of plants and gardens by Titania Hardie called The House of the Winds.

[@nancylamarche5570]

If you are interested in Edith Wharton's gardens - then you should also read about her niece - Beatrix Jones Farrand, a gardener and garden architect.

[@MyLocsareREAL]

🤦🏾‍♀️Miranda, I have this book!!! I purchased it a few years ago when I first subscribed to your channel… how did I miss the comfort book club pick.. I’m going to start reading it now.. so I can throughly enjoy this video…Hello Donna🥰..,,By you both being former teachers.. I want you both to know.. I feel like that student who shows up to class for an open book test WITHOUT the book🤨🤦🏾‍♀️

[@MirandaMills]

Aw thank you so much for your fabulous support, Kiki! I so appreciate it!! Sorry you missed reading along with us this month, but I hope you enjoy reading the book anyway and tuning into our chat then!! ❤️

[@faithwentworth7906]

I would feel the same way if I missed a CBC selection!

[@doreene11]

📚📚📚

[@lesleygordon9634]

The Gardener’s Year by Karel Capek. Hilarious.

[@MirandaMills]

Yes, that’s it!

[@glendaslanina9939]

Thanks!

[@MirandaMills]

Thank you so much for your lovely support, Glenda! I so appreciate it ❤️

[@myriammourani3145]

Thanks!

[@MirandaMills]

Thank you so much, Myriam, for all your generous support! I truly appreciate it ❤️📚💐xxx

[@niceademers4574]

Thanks!

[@MirandaMills]

Thanks so much, Nicea, for your kind support! I so much appreciate it! ❤️📚xx