I've frequently noticed that books travel in circles. I'll read a review at one blog, then it will be on another, and then another, and another and another. They frequently are not the books that will reach the top of the New York Times best books list. But they might make a blogger's list for fun books at the end of the year. One of the books that I've been noticing, and which has just come out in paperback giving it a good shot at beach reads lists, is Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen.

After picking it up at the libtary last month it sat on my shelf for a couple of weeks until a few nights ago when I finally picked it up and settled in to read a few chapters before bed. A few hours later I read the last page and shut off the light. It's been awhile since a book captured me like that.

Garden Spells is the story of two sisters. Claire is the older, responsible sister. Sydney is the younger wild child. And of course they don't get along which really hasn't been an issue since they haven't seen or spoken to each other in ten years. Claire stayed at home in Bascom, NC. Sydney left there right after high school and never looked back, more than happy to escape the trappings of being one of the Waverley's. The townspeople in Bascom know there's something different about the Waverley's and keep their distance...at least until July 4th when they all flock to the Waverley tent to buy some of the honeysuckle wine that let's them see in the dark. Or unless they are trying to sneak into the Waverley's garden to try to steal one of the apples from their famous apple tree. Claire's gotten used to keeping people out of her life. If she didn't let anyone in no one would ever leave and that suited her just fine. But then Sydney shows up with her young daughter in tow, and Claire finds her reclusive life turned upside-down.

Garden Spells is an addictive read. It has family drama (admit it, we all like it when it's not our family), a quaint southern setting, and a touch of magic. And descriptions of scrumptious sounding food. Kimbofo of Reading Matters points out that it won't win any literary awards but hey, we don't always need to read award-winning literature do we? Kimbofo also said:

This is comfort reading: enjoyable, fluffy and fun. In fact, I read this book in two longish sittings while the rain pounded against the window one miserably wet Saturday and it was perfect fodder for an entertaining weekend read.

Cafe of Dreams declared both the book and author new favourites.

Astonishing, wonderful and magical. Garden Spells has become one of my favorite reads so far in 2008 and Sarah Addison Allen a new favorite author.

Books on the Brain was captivated.

It is romantic and sweet and the story flows nicely. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys fantasy or magical fiction. Is magical fiction an actual genre? If not, it should be.

Em's Bookshelf gave it four stars and Carolee at Musings From Behind the Easel is getting some inspired edible flower ideas. Sarah, who blogs at The Last Book I Read found it by chance and thought it was thoroughly charming. And Nicole at My Reading Blog started it before bed and like me couldn't put it down until she finished it.

Sarah Addison Allen's second book, The Sugar Queen (no, it's not a sequel to Garden Spells) comes out in hardcover later this month. Advance reviews, such as the one at Lissa Reads, are already indicating that it might be just as magically addictive as Allen's first novel. You know...just in case you run out of summer paperbacks early.

Contributing Editor Sassymonkey also blogs at Sassymonkey and Sassymonkey Reads.