The Lost Gardens, by Anthony Eglin. My sister, Barbara, recently visited and since we share the gene for mystery-reading, my hostess gift from her was this book. What could be better–a murder mystery/gardening combination?

The Secret Servant, by Daniel Silva. Gabriel Allon is my new hero. I am completely enamored by this tough, proficient, intelligent, complex character with emerald green eyes and a slight graying at the temples. This is the seventh novel in the series.

Elizabeth David's Christmas, edited by Jill Norman. Yes, I know Christmas is over but it's been busy. David is a favorite food writer and I couldn't resist this compilation of essays, menus and recipes. Visually, the book is exceptional. The graphics, paper stock, fonts and colors are simple, but sophisticated and beautiful.

The Garden Lover's Guide to Britain and One Hundred English Gardens, both by Patrick Taylor. One of my projects for 2010 is studying English gardens. A gardening friend, Jill, and her family spent two weeks touring England and Ireland and she graciously loaned me these books. Yikes! I want to see all 100 gardens!