In her first book, Blooms & Dreams, former travel writer Misha Gillingham gives readers a tour of her family's small farm on Bainbridge Island, Wash., emphasizing how beauty, community and a connection to the land have brought healing. Gillingham briefly recounts her move from fast-paced Los Angeles to a tiny rural community and then dives into showcasing the various fields, crops and animals on Evergreen Acres Farm. She celebrates the variety of plants she's able to grow, gives practical advice for novice gardeners and writes lovingly about her family's pets and livestock, along with the ways in which they partner with a local food bank and other organizations. Filled with photos of luscious dahlias, cuddly alpacas and verdant gardens, Gillingham's book is a pleasant journey for armchair travelers and gardeners alike. --Katie Noah Gibson, blogger at Cakes, Tea and Dreams