Friday, January 4, 2019

My Christmas "Book Haul"

Even though I haven't officially lifted the moratorium on books (put in place because I have so many I haven't yet read and I felt guilty when new ones showed up) several great titles were under the tree, for me, from my book-loving husband...

Look at the size of that Agave! Wowsa...

This one is a interiors book, with rooms that feature plants.

Mostly pictures, not a lot of text.

I can't remember if I first saw this one in London or Paris, but it was one of those. I fell in love with the illustrations.

Now it's mine!

I have the Phaidon House Book, Garden Book, and their massive The Gardener's Garden, this one will be a nice addition to the collection.

Now we just need to plan vacations to all these places!

There was one more book under the tree, that it was unexpected is an understatement...it's a Harlequin Romance, Pregnant by the Desert King. Seriously. Look at her baby bump!

Andrew spotted it our local everything store and thought it would make a great "container" for a couple of gift certificates, one from Garden Fever and one for a massage. Clever that boy. But now the question is, do I read it?

Weather Diary, Jan 3: Hi 55, Low 43/ Precip .06"

All material © 2009-2019 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.

28 comments:

  1. Oh, that Harlequin romance started a spasm of laughter, which, because I'm still getting over my cold started me on a spasm of coughing! Blame your husband's sense of humor when they find me out cold from not being able to breathe. Mmm, I covet that Botanicum book too, and the Wonder Plants one is right up your alley.

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    1. Yikes! I hope you were able to tamp down the laughs and take in a few life sustaining breaths.

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  2. You have to read at least a chapter and tell us about it. I actually bought myself a couple of books when Mark and I were at B & N. Garden titles for me and photo books for him.

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    1. My grandma was a romance novel reader, I admit to having read a few of her hand-me-downs, back in the day.

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  3. The books are all new to me. Gotta check them out - may not "Pregnant by the Desert King." I wonder if there's a movie version? And is the Desert King really a person or possibly an agave in human form?

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    1. Coming soon to a theatre near you! Can you imagine...

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    2. Hey, have you heard of the movie "The Lobster?" https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Lobster

      This would be the plant version of it.

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  4. I LOVE botanical illustrations, that book is the best gift. (To me, that giant agave seems out of place in a minimalist style room). Readers gave the Harlequin novel 3.5 stars... maybe you should read it... for giggles.

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    1. I might skim a page or two, just for laughs...

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  5. My gift from Marty -- no joke -- was the "Desert Queen"!! (Life of Gertrude Bell, buddy of Lawrence of Arabia, getting Middle East politics all sorted out for the British empire late 19th/early 20th century -- never had kids tho). And she does bump into Vita Sackville-West when Harold was ambassador to Persia, so there is a slim horticultural connection...

    Nice haul! I have those Botanicum notecards I picked up at Kew and love them so much that I hate to send them out!

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    1. So if the Desert Queen was to meet the Desert King...

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  6. You must read Pregnant by the Desert King and tell us about it.

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  7. Definitely read it. Then you will remember why you don't read them. ha... The other books look good.

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  8. Great book haul! That Andrew is a keeper. I didn't know they still published Harlequin romances. You must read it share a review.

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    1. I can't imagine that genre ever going away...

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  9. That Harlequin book is hilarious! You must read it AND provide a book report. You can append it to a post on all the plants you buy with those gift cards.

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  10. Yes, he is a clever boy! I want the Botanicum book! And we're all looking forward to your book review of the Desert King book.

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    1. It's a bargain on Amazon...
      https://www.amazon.com/Botanicum-Welcome-Museum-Kathy-Willis/dp/0763689238/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1546715087&sr=8-1&keywords=botanicum+book

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  11. All the books except the last one look great.

    I'm reading American Eden by Victoria Johnson, a mix of Enlightenment thought, US and NYC history of the early 19th century, pharmacology, and a whole lot of plant lovers. Really enjoying it.

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  12. Here's a man who knows and loves you well! The romance might be fun for laughs to share and possible botanical references to the landscape. ;)

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    1. Oh I hadn't thought of that. I wonder if there are any plants mentioned? Now you've got me curious...

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  13. In my family we pick purposely bad books and my son reads them aloud, giving each character a different voice! It makes bad books hilarious! We've done a few romances, but not the really sexual ones. That would be embarrassing!

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