Book Review: China Bayles' Book of Days

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• China Bayles’ Book of Days, by Susan Wittig Albert
• New York: Berkley Prime Crime, 2006

From a favorite mystery novel writer comes this unexpected compilation of all things herbal. It is presented in a daybook format, with one page for each day of the year, and it is chock full of facts and trivia, bits of lore, recipes, projects, quotes and resources, usually related to the herb or herbal topic of the day. It is a wonderful source of inspiration for herb gardeners.

Susan Albert’s book is a trove of ideas for herbal craft projects, gardening information, medicinal herb suggestions and recipes galore—practical information on using and appreciating the herb garden’s bounty. Recipes run the range from sage fritters and marigold custard to Hungarian goulash and sweet violet syrup, but that’s just the beginning. How to root a rose cutting, how to make a tincture, how to make wreaths and topiaries—you’ll find it here. There are gardens to plant, teas to blend and brew, herbal salves to make, herb farms to visit—and many hours of enjoyable reading tucked in these pages.

Albert includes selections from her journal about life on the 31-acre plot in central Texas she shares with her husband, Bill. In one October entry, for example, she writes: “Today is one of those days when the Texas prairies outshine my garden, for the goldenrod is in bloom, its golden glory blazing across the fields.” She discusses this native medicinal plant and recounts the story of Thomas Edison’s discovery that its sap contains a natural latex; he bred the plant for its long-lasting rubber, which Henry Ford made into a set of tires. “Goldenrod rubber. Imagine that,” she writes.

The format reminds me a little of Phyllis Shaudys’ books (The Pleasure of Herbs and Herbal Treasures, first published in the late ’80s and early ’90s), which are arranged by date and offer a similar miscellany of herbal information and projects. Albert has a similar depth of knowledge and interest.