After rooting through the above post I take it that Mike doesn't read books.
NGCARDS referring back to your thread about Winter reading I enjoyed & still enjoy A Little Light Weeding by Richard Briers, verse, gardening stories and hints and tips, an amusing and easy read.
I find it hard to understand what Mike means. On the surface it would appear that he thinks academic papers occupy some higher more elevated plane and that if one is interested in them then that's all one is interested in; for me they're a different thing all together. It's like comparing chalk and cheese.
I can quite see that a gardener of Mike's experience would find the How To Garden type of book a bit simplistic, and even I find some of the 'let me tell you about my garden' type books published by celebrities a bit repetitive, but there are many well-written books by well-respected gardeners which make enjoyable and informative reading for gardeners of all abilities and experience. Any book written by Christopher Lloyd of Gt Dixter is well worth reading, but especially his Well Tempered Garden which I've borrowed from the library on several occasions. I've also enjoyed reading Anna Pavord's writings, whether they're newspaper articles, gardening books or novels.
On my list of books to request from the library is A Gentle Plea for Chaos by Mirabel Osler, covering as it does gardening alchemy and philosophy along with 19th century plant collecting and illustration. From what I've understood of Mike's interests I think he'd find it an enjoyable and interesting read.
To me it's strange to think that being involved in academic study somehow removes us from enjoying reading for pleasure - I have academic qualifications and enjoy reading about the latest practices and thinking in my subject - but I also read other books about my other interests, gardening being one of them - having time to do so is one of the wonderful things about retirement, especially in the winter when it's not so pleasant out in the garden. A comfy sofa, a fireside (albeit electric) a mug of coffee and a good book .... bliss
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
I recommend Carol Klein's Life in a cottage garden. This is written like a diary as well. Great photos as well as tips and hints. You don't have to be into cottage style gardening to find it useful. It is £20 new but well worth it. You may find it cheaper in a charity shop like I did.£3 bargain!
Another book I've borrowed and would love to own is Jane Fearnley-Whittingstall's 'Peonies - the Imperial Flower' - even if you don't grow peonies this book is a fantastic read and the illustrations are simply beautiful.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Books , in Lincoln , Oxfam have a book shop so I always have a look when in Town and have bought a couple over the years , also I have look in a shop called Works , they have shops all over the place and have bought books their , the advantage is they are both cheap
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Has anyone else got any thoughts
After rooting through the above post I take it that Mike doesn't read books.
NGCARDS referring back to your thread about Winter reading I enjoyed & still enjoy A Little Light Weeding by Richard Briers, verse, gardening stories and hints and tips, an amusing and easy read.
I find it hard to understand what Mike means. On the surface it would appear that he thinks academic papers occupy some higher more elevated plane and that if one is interested in them then that's all one is interested in; for me they're a different thing all together. It's like comparing chalk and cheese.
I can quite see that a gardener of Mike's experience would find the How To Garden type of book a bit simplistic, and even I find some of the 'let me tell you about my garden' type books published by celebrities a bit repetitive, but there are many well-written books by well-respected gardeners which make enjoyable and informative reading for gardeners of all abilities and experience. Any book written by Christopher Lloyd of Gt Dixter is well worth reading, but especially his Well Tempered Garden which I've borrowed from the library on several occasions. I've also enjoyed reading Anna Pavord's writings, whether they're newspaper articles, gardening books or novels.
On my list of books to request from the library is A Gentle Plea for Chaos by Mirabel Osler, covering as it does gardening alchemy and philosophy along with 19th century plant collecting and illustration. From what I've understood of Mike's interests I think he'd find it an enjoyable and interesting read.
To me it's strange to think that being involved in academic study somehow removes us from enjoying reading for pleasure - I have academic qualifications and enjoy reading about the latest practices and thinking in my subject - but I also read other books about my other interests, gardening being one of them - having time to do so is one of the wonderful things about retirement, especially in the winter when it's not so pleasant out in the garden. A comfy sofa, a fireside (albeit electric) a mug of coffee and a good book .... bliss
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
I recommend Carol Klein's Life in a cottage garden. This is written like a diary as well. Great photos as well as tips and hints. You don't have to be into cottage style gardening to find it useful. It is £20 new but well worth it. You may find it cheaper in a charity shop like I did.£3 bargain!
I got Carol Klein's, 'Life in a Cottage Garden' last year for Christmas. I thought it was a good read over the winter. Nice to follow the months
Another book I've borrowed and would love to own is Jane Fearnley-Whittingstall's 'Peonies - the Imperial Flower' - even if you don't grow peonies this book is a fantastic read and the illustrations are simply beautiful.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
I was given Joe Swifts book on allotment gardening, he writes as he speaks so its fun, honest and informative
insectivorous plants by Charles Darwin, one of his more overlooked books
yes, create a thread Philippa
In the sticks near Peterborough
Books , in Lincoln , Oxfam have a book shop so I always have a look when in Town and have bought a couple over the years , also I have look in a shop called Works , they have shops all over the place and have bought books their , the advantage is they are both cheap
when retired have to look after the pennies