The Garden of Small Beginnings

By: Abbi Waxman

Narrated by: Emily Rankin

“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

Well-written, insightful, funny

Really enjoyed this. I was worried that it would be the usual mediocre writing and limp plot about sad widow looking for new life and love—but it is much more. The writing is snappy and sometimes funny, the characters appealing, and the plot satisfying.

Best read yet by Abbi Waxman

I really liked this story and characters. Great blend of humor in dealing with the realities of loss and grief.

Excellent performance of a great story

Emily Rankin's narrations are consistently superb and "The Garden of Small Beginnings" was no exception. The story was sweet and made a solo road trip for work feel much less lonely. I was rooting for the characters and found myself extremely emotional upon the book's end.

A Pleasant But Uneventful Read

Same story, usual characters, typical outcome. But it was a pleasant enough read. I think the narrator used her "perky" voice which took away any depth the lead character had. If she had used her regular voice that I heard at the end, it might have helped the banal, sarcastic remarks that proliferated throughout the story.

A beautiful, emotional ride

I adored this book. I know of the author from Broad City, which led me to want to listen to this book. It is insightful and emotional and extremely well read.

Fair warning: It got quite a few tears from me.