The Garden of Small Beginnings (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9780399583582)

"A quirky, funny, and deeply thoughtful book"* that's "filled with characters you'll love and wish you lived next door to in real life"** from the author of The Bookish Life of Nina Hill.

Lilian Girvan has been a single mother for three years--ever since her husband died in a car accident. One mental breakdown and some random suicidal thoughts later, she's just starting to get the hang of this widow thing. She can now get her two girls to school, show up to work, and watch TV like a pro. The only problem is she's becoming overwhelmed with being underwhelmed.

At least her textbook illustrating job has some perks--like actually being called upon to draw whale genitalia. Oh, and there's that vegetable-gardening class her boss signed her up for. Apparently, being the chosen illustrator for a series of boutique vegetable guides means getting your hands dirty, literally. Wallowing around in compost on a Saturday morning can't be much worse than wallowing around in pajamas and self-pity.

After recruiting her kids and insanely supportive sister to join her, Lilian shows up at the Los Angeles botanical garden feeling out of her element. But what she'll soon discover--with the help of a patient instructor and a quirky group of gardeners--is that into every life a little sun must shine, whether you want it to or not...

READERS GUIDE INCLUDED

*HelloGiggles
**Bustle

Author: Abbi Waxman
ISBN-10: 0399583580
ISBN-13: 9780399583582
Publisher: Berkley Books
Language: English
Published: 05/02/2017
Pages: 368
Format: Paperback
Weight: 0.60lbs
Size: 8.00h x 5.40w x 0.90d

Review Citation(s):
Kirkus Reviews 03/01/2017 pg. 31
Booklist 03/01/2017 pg. 52
Library Journal 05/01/2017 pg. 70