FRIENDS: “The Backyard Parables” (my third book) is officially out! Thanks for all your support on the way to the starting line–because actually, that’s what publication day is. It’s not a finish line, but the start of the process of bringing a book to readers. Oh, dear, that means miles to go before I sleep; send vitamins! If you can’t send vitamins, perhaps join me in a little jumping up and down and shouting “hooray” about what has been called “a blessing” by “Eat, Pray, Love” author Liz Gilbert, and “a love story” by “The Vegetarian Epicure” author Anna Thomas, among other early, tender feedback. The book has already been featured in places from “People” magazine to “Good Housekeeping” and “The New York Times.”
get your own copy now
WANT TO ORDER a copy of “The Backyard Parables”? Some places you can do just that, now that it’s finally a real, live book:
IF EACH OF YOU who visits here to harvest some of my “horticultural how-to and woo-woo” this month bought a book, you’d have conspired to create a giant hit!
(And I could blog fulltime, and stop answering my accountant’s five-years-running questions about “Now how are you going to monetize this crazy website of yours, Margaret?”)
Tee hee, but back to being serious for a second:
I LOVE THIS NEW BOOK with all my heart. I’m so proud that it’s out in the world (and I even shot the cover photo!). And most of all: I hope you will have the chance to read it yourself before too long–whether in hardcover, e-book or audiobook. Further enticement follows (or just start reading the preface right now by downloading this pdf).
my previous books
I HAVE WRITTEN two previous books–one, in 1998, that this website was then named for a decade later, and another (in 2011) about my decision to leave my city fast-lane life and move to my rural garden fulltime. “A Way to Garden” (the book) is a collector’s item now (you can find it at used bookshops sometimes, or used on Amazon or Alibris [dot] com). You can purchase “And I Shall Have Some Peace There” at any bookseller, including Amazon (affiliate link). I offer gift-wrapped, signed copies of the two most recent ones here.
Thank you for saying hello today and for your kind words, Bill and Karen and Diana. I am blessed with such good readers–real friends. :)
Just received my pre-ordered copy yesterday and I can’t wait to read it! (The cover is wonderful.) The recent January thaw exposed my moonscape property, reminding me of all the grand plans I’m preparing for spring. Thank goodness for today’s new snowfall – providing more moisture, but allowing me guilt-free pleasure to curl up and read. Inspiration comes first!
Congratulations, Margaret. Jumping up and down with you (and creating a bit of a avalanche as it continues to snow here in Norwood). Can’t wait to read the book; I love your writing style, wit and common sense approach to gardening. Your accountant sounds like mine … they see everything in black and white, unlike those of us who see most everything in green. I hope the book is wildly successful.
We are all so lucky to read this blog. Me knees do not allow much jumping but I rejoice with you and will enjoy this new book. my favorite color is green and that is the color of MONEY.
Congratulations on publication day! Just ordered your book, looking forward to reading it.
Enjoy, Licia, and thanks for taking the time to say hello. Grand plans being shaped here, too.:)
Good luck with the book Margaret! I completely ‘get it’. :-)
I know you do, Peter! Love what you are doing in that garden of yours.
read half of it yesterday while sitting with my very sick dog, my gardening partner
it is fun and crazy to read things, from the tropical fish as a child to eating from a bowl using a tablespoon, that we have done/do alike
wish you great success with this book!
Trish
My pre ordered copy just showed up here today in California! Can’t wait to start reading it.
My copy arrived from Amazon today . . . read the Preface so far. CAN’T WAIT TO DIVE IN!
Congrats on the new book..if it’s half as good as your last one
it’ll be a grand success…I’ll be ordering today.
Good luck to you and I love your newsletter!
Susan
Congratulations Margaret! Something to warm your heart on this cold winter day.
I just found out that I won a copy from Goodreads!! Very excited. Especially since I just lost my job so I won’t be purchasing any books in the interim.
Congratulations on the GoodReads win, Terri. I hope you will enjoy it. Sad news about the job, of course; so sorry on that score.
That was to read, congratulations on the birth of your new book!
Just got my copy in the mail. They’re calling for more snow today so looking forward to curling up with your book and a pot of tea. Congratulations and keep them coming. ;-)
Bought the ebook and loving it!! Cover picture is beautiful.
I just received my copy and will start reading this weekend. If the cover photo is yours what would be the possibility of buying a copy of the photo? (Might be another way to answer the accountant) I love the cover and would love to frame the photo….just wondering. Congratulations, Maureen
I love that idea of prints! I love that photo also. You have so many beautiful photos I imagine that they would sell very well.From the trees,flowers, the vegetables ( those in a kitchen…inspiring) The frogs are just adorable! Jack the cat… we’ll not look at the rattlesnake though ok? Autograph them…Something to think about, right Mr/Ms accountant?
Thanks, Dolores!
You just keep creating the nicest books.
Hope this is received as well as they others!
Just finished reading your book last night. It was a great read in your usual fluid, intimate, insightful manner of writing. There are also more than a few belly laughs such as your confession to eating exclusively with a tablespoon when no one is around to see. Me too, friend. Who can be bothered with a fork? Besides, Emily Post is dead. She’ll never know. Good luck with this, I hope you sell a million!
Just ordered my copy. I have both of your other books and have given additional copies as gifts. I am so glad you keep writing, so glad you are out there. Thanks for keeping the gardening candle lit in your backyard and in our lives!
Congrats Margaret!
Look forward to reading it.
Also wondered if you could restate the source
for those beautiful chairs on your site
Convinced my husband to build them but don’t
Remember where to get the plans
Thanks!
Hi, Fran — and the info on the Wave Hill chairs is at this link.
Just bought your new book AND sent a copy to my friend for her birthday. I love your garden tips and psychology. And I still like you even though the hellebores that I discovered through you and planted last year did not survive the winter. ;-) It’s part of the trial and error method of gardening that I am getting accustomed to as I read your book.
Thanks, Sue, on all accounts. What a sweet note! I am still trialing and error-ing over here, too! ;)