Reading Spotlight: June Book Recommendations

Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life by Barbara Kingsolver

Barbara Kingsolver is pretty much at the top of my list of favorite writers, really for her fiction writing.  But I loved this book and thought it was appropriate for this season, when it is so much easier for us here in New England to eat locally grown food.  The book is the story of Kingsolver and her family, who decided for one year to only eat food that was grown within 100 miles of their home in Virginia.  They grew and raised a lot of their own food, and found local sources for the rest of it.  It is an inspiring and thought-provoking book without being preachy; it really is a beautifully written and fun read.  And if you enjoy it, I highly recommend checking out her fiction.  “Prodigal Summer” is one of my favorites.


I Love You, Stinky Face   by Lisa McCourt

This is a great book about the love of a mother for her child, whether the child is a slimy swamp creature or a green alien from Mars.  A child who is trying to delay bedtime wants to know if his mother would still love him if he were a number of creepy/scary/weird creatures, and his mother always lets him know that she would love him no matter what.  It’s not sappy, just sweet, and little kids think it’s pretty hilarious, both the questions and the answers.  The illustrations are great as well.  Highly recommended.


 Katie Edwards lives in Needham with her wife and two children, ages 13 and 3.   She has a Master’s Degree in Library Science, but has been a stay at home mom for many years, so she is happy to have an outlet to share good books with others.  She loves to read [obviously], travel, try new restaurants, and gab with her friends.  Luckily she is in a book group where she can simultaneously eat and talk to friends about books!