Journal Entry 1 by KathyB25 from Arlington, Texas USA on Monday, March 09, 2009

In a garden surrounded by a tall fence, tucked away behind a small, quiet house in an even smaller town, is an apple tree that is rumored to bear a very special sort of fruit. In this luminous debut novel, Sarah Addison Allen tells the story of that enchanted tree, and the extraordinary people who tend it.…

The Waverleys have always been a curious family, endowed with peculiar gifts that make them outsiders even in their hometown of Bascom, North Carolina. Even their garden has a reputation, famous for its feisty apple tree that bears prophetic fruit, and its edible flowers, imbued with special powers. Generations of Waverleys tended this garden. Their history was in the soil. But so were their futures.

A successful caterer, Claire Waverley prepares dishes made with her mystical plants—from the nasturtiums that aid in keeping secrets and the pansies that make children thoughtful, to the snapdragons intended to discourage the attentions of her amorous neighbor. Meanwhile, her elderly cousin, Evanelle, is known for distributing unexpected gifts whose uses become uncannily clear. They are the last of the Waverleys—except for Claire’s rebellious sister, Sydney, who fled Bascom the moment she could, abandoning Claire, as their own mother had years before.

When Sydney suddenly returns home with a young daughter of her own, Claire’s quiet life is turned upside down—along with the protective boundary she has so carefully constructed around her heart. Together again in the house they grew up in, Sydney takes stock of all she left behind, as Claire struggles to heal the wounds of the past. And soon the sisters realize they mustdeal with their common legacy—if they are ever to feel at home in Bascom—or with each other.

Enchanting and heartfelt, this captivating novel is sure to cast a spell with a style all its own….
 

Journal Entry 2 by KathyB25 from Arlington, Texas USA on Thursday, March 12, 2009

Mailed to Azuki who selected it from the Audiobook Relay on Book Obsessed 

Journal Entry 3 by azuki from Miami, Florida USA on Monday, March 23, 2009

Thanks!
Just for record: this audiobook has 7 CDs and is unabridged original.
 

Journal Entry 4 by azuki from Miami, Florida USA on Sunday, May 17, 2009

A lovely story of three generations of Waverly women with slightly magical powers. The support cast are also excellent and interesting in their own ways. A nice blend of authentic lives and emotions with whimsical magic power.
Will put into Carlissa' audio CD bookbox when it comes next month. 

Journal Entry 5 by azuki at Carlissa's Audio Book Box, Bookbox -- Controlled Releases on Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Released 2 yrs ago (8/18/2009 UTC) at Carlissa's Audio Book Box, Bookbox -- Controlled Releases

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Putting into Carlissa's Audio Bookbox.
Thanks for arranging it! Look forward to round 4! 

Journal Entry 6 by carlissa from Miami, Florida USA on Monday, August 24, 2009

I took this audiobook from round 4 of my audio bookbox.

I enjoyed listening to this interesting mix of romance and magic. Will put back in my audio bookbox for its 5th round. 

Journal Entry 7 by k00kaburra from San Jose, California USA on Monday, September 14, 2009

I might be keeping this one. Haven't decided for sure yet. 

Journal Entry 8 by k00kaburra from San Jose, California USA on Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Started listening to this one today. 

Journal Entry 9 by k00kaburra from San Jose, California USA on Sunday, October 18, 2009

I don't know how I missed this book when it first came out, but before seeing it in "Carlissa's Audio Bookbox" I had never heard of it. It was quite an interesting read! The Waverly garden is a fantastic place, and I thought the ideas behind the plants' magical powers fascinating. Can the different flowers really influence people as described? I have no idea, but speculating about how food and the natural world can influence our ideas is fun.

But anyway, I really liked the magic of the tale. The apple tree, which seemed about as human as any of the people living on its property, had such an unusual power. From one bite of an apple, a person could see the biggest event of their life...I have to admit, try as I might that just doesn't seem to be that terrible. If I took a bite out of something and suddenly saw my own death, I'd figure I was hallucinating and call in to work sick. I have trouble believing one vision could impact me as much as it did the characters in the novel - but then, I wouldn't have grown up with family legends telling me about how powerful these things were.

I was also left wondering "Did the Waverly ancestors bring their magic to this place, or was the magic in the plants already growing in the garden and the family was 'adopted' into the magic?"

I had a great time with this book, and would love to read it again someday in a "regular" book. 

Journal Entry 10 by k00kaburra at BookCrosser, RABCK -- Controlled Releases on Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Released 2 yrs ago (10/21/2009 UTC) at BookCrosser, RABCK -- Controlled Releases

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

send to momofap because it was on her wishlist! 

Journal Entry 11 by momofap from Sheldon, Iowa USA on Monday, November 02, 2009

This arrived at my home today! Thank you! Looking forward to listening to it. 

Journal Entry 12 by momofap from Sheldon, Iowa USA on Thursday, December 03, 2009

I listened to this book because I enjoyed this author's writing style. I was unprepared for some of the descriptive love settings. I found it funny that an apple tree could become a character. I did enjoy the whole book. I did enjoy the happy ending. I will read this author again. 

Journal Entry 13 by momofap from Sheldon, Iowa USA on Wednesday, January 06, 2010

I am putting the book into a "Potluck Bookbox."