Gardener's Group discussion

Jo, a very good choice how did you come by this book?

Green Thoughts: A Writer in the Garden

I think I could go for the inspirational gardening book this fall. My usual garden books are almost all are textbooks or instructional books on gardening. This book sorta reminds me of a quarterly magazine I never subscribed to, but got a copy or two many years ago from the Local Garden association. Always had a picture of a half human half lettuce head on the cover.

This does look like a book worth reading. Will have to get it to Q8 somehow, sometime or other, but from the preview it looks worth the trouble! Thanks Jo for bringing this to light. Though I feel neutral about rock-gardens, I certainly don't mind reading others' thoughts on the matter... :)

Now we're getting somewhere!!! I don't give a rip about Amazon or the other crap! Let's group read Green Thoughts! That's what I like to see.

Thanks, Jo. I would like to read that one,too. Great choice!

Well I hope you all are happy :) I ordered Green Thoughts just now, but of course...$50 later here I am.

BUT most were Christmas gifts (in fact, all) for DH so maybe that's an excuse?

MissJessie wrote: "Well I hope you all are happy :) I ordered Green Thoughts just now, but of course...$50 later here I am.

BUT most were Christmas gifts (in fact, all) for DH so maybe that's an excuse?"

Hmm.. $50 for the book?

I went for the digital at iBookstore from apple, cost was $13. The beauty of digital is they are cheaper than the out of print hardback books. I have more books that I have not yet scanned. But many of my hardbacks are worth more than bought them. I do not like small paperbacks, tiny print and they yellow over time.

In my old age with declining eyesight, I prefer the digital. I can make the fonts larger, no longer need a bright reading lamp and I no longer have to hold the book close to my face. But we all have our preferences and out of print books will probably increase in value where digital will decrease in value to zero over time.

Seventy Two essays, does have an appeal, Seventy two days to finish is my projection to completion. Time for the holidays :)

I bought a new hardbound copy on Amazon for $6.68.

No No No. Read it again--- :)

I bought other books too, for Christmas gifts for DH.

I got the book for %4.00.

I think one essay a day, approximately, is a great read rate. Gives one time to think about them instead of steaming ahead.

I haven't read a digital book yet although audio books loom large here (listening to one now). I like the idea of the larger fonts since my eyes too are not what they used to be (among other body parts.....).

This is what I got tonight ($30.19 plus shipping for a few, since they were not Amazon products).

Green Thoughts: A Writer in the Garden
Perenyi, Eleanor Spencer Stone

The World's Worst Weapons (From Exploding Guns to Malfunctioning Missiles)
Martin J Dougherty
Sold by KingsRidgeMedia

Boyd: The Fighter Pilot Who Changed the Art of War
Coram, Robert
Sold by Friends of the Houston Public Library

Fateful Choices: Ten Decisions That Changed the World, 1940-1941
Kershaw, Ian

The Numbers Behind NUMB3RS: Solving Crime with Mathematics
Devlin, Keith

The Deceivers: Allied Military Deception in the Second World War
Holt, Thaddeus

Go! Go! Go!: The Dramatic Inside Story of the Iranian Embassy Siege
Nigel McCrery


Mostly he gets books for Christmas; at this point in our lives we have more than we need in other areas and get it if we don't; if he can't afford to buy it for himself, I can't either :).

Interesting, sounds like some good deals on books. I do tend to buy used textbooks with solution manuals because of cost. New textbooks cost around $200. Used ones tend to be one tenth on average around $20. But then how people like myself during winter months enjoy self studying subjects like Vector Calculus. But I have many of my Science Fiction Books now cost more than I paid for them.

Almost any book over fifty years old is free in digital format. I have several Mark Twain, Shakespeare and others that cost nothing.

This has probably been stated elsewhere, but, when does this officially begin?

It was in her first posting as an example in the Buddy Reads for October 15.

I thought the example book looked like a good one for a start.

If anyone still wants to buy it, Green Thoughts is extremely cheap on Alibris. A Fine/Like New copy is 99c. Shipping is $3.99. Enter HOLLY as the coupon and that is $1 off, so the book then is free.

I don't know if I will read it. I am having major work problems trying to replace staff. I had to do yesterday on my own and I have my Christmas toy orders to get in. I hate buying toys, I just like books, but what with so many people preferring ebooks, I have to.
Also I have to interview staff and try, walk at least once a day (I manage every other day) and have some sort of mini-social life.

I am listening to an audio book at the moment Hotels, Hospitals, and Jails: A Memoir by Anthony Swofford who wrote the wonderful Jarhead, but I just collapse into bed and go to sleep rather than read for an hour. Given up on housework though!

There's some misunderstand here, I never picked Green Thoughts as a Buddy Read or Group Read book!

I only used it as an Example (as stated in the thread title) as a way to show everyone how a Buddy Read thread works in case anyone was confused by the Buddy Read How To thread!

Trying to do traditional group reads hasn't worked in the past (as I mentioned in Message 27 of https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/... ) and isn't exactly feasible with a group made up of people from all over the world what with availability of titles and so on, which is why I created this Buddy Reads section (which I also go over in the Buddy Reads How-To thread here: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/... ).

If anyone wants to read Green Thoughts, by all means, but, it was just an example - you can continue here if you want to.

Please read the Buddy Read How To thread so you have all the info as to how this section works, thanks!

Green Thoughts is a wonderful book, especially if you are a garden writer or enjoy reading garden writers.

Jo wrote: "There's some misunderstand here, I never picked Green Thoughts as a Buddy Read or Group Read book!
I only used it as an Example (as stated in the thread title) as a way to show everyone how a Bud..."

My Mistake, but a good mistake, I think :)

From the example, it was "I'll Join you". I see now that was an example statement. Also the example date was like perfect timing that threw me off. But the results look positive for the group read.

However, I will still read it, looks like a good book and need a diversion from just reading science fiction and math books.

Thinking texting outloud, just a thought here. I have seen in the polls list that people have choosen book reads in the past here.

It would be a good time for let's say a possible book selection for January - March 2014 selection. Each member could post a suggestion for one book in October, Vote for a book in fist two weeks in November and a run off vote for the top two in the last two weeks in November, give members a month to obtain that book durring December. Then Buddy read durring January though March. Repeat every three months?

The Sci-Fi group does this on a monthly basis. Garden books tend to more expensive and are more like eductaional / text books than Sci-Fi books.

What do you think?
If it is too much time?
Too complex?

Sorry if I jumped the mark :(

Aw hell, I thought we had Green Thoughts set for Oct 15th. One essay a day. It sure worked for me.

James wrote: "Aw hell, I thought we had Green Thoughts set for Oct 15th. One essay a day. It sure worked for me."

I will read it... Buddy :)

Mickey wrote: "Jo wrote: "There's some misunderstand here, I never picked Green Thoughts as a Buddy Read or Group Read book!
I only used it as an Example (as stated in the thread title) as a way to show everyone..."

Once again, as I've said, we have tried (seasonal) group reads here in the past and they did not work out and now add the fact that we have members from all over the World, not just the US, availability becomes a huge issue - what's available here in the US isn't always available overseas and vice versa!!!

That is why I created the Buddy Reads Section - if someone wants to read a particular gardening related book (fiction or non) she or he sets up the thread (per the How-To) and interested members can see if the book is of interest to them and if so, they can see if it is available where they are and decide if they want to join in.

I moderate groups in addition to this one, and given OGSG's dynamics, traditional group reads are not a good option as they are for other types of groups (which are additionally/usually more reading focused vs activity (gardening) focused).

I think Buddy Reads are the best option for a group with members not just from so many differing gardening zones/climates, but from so many different countries! So, no group reads! However, the possibilities for Buddy Reads are many.

I see, so in When I am done with "Green Thoughts", I will list a book in December for a January read and see what happens.

So, again, how did you come about finding this example book that looks like a good read?

If you chose to do Green Thoughts as a seasonal buddy read, sure, in December you can create a thread for a different book.

Just FYI everyone, Buddy Reads do not have to be seasonal, they can be monthly or however everyone who wants to participate in a particular one wants to do it.

I don't honestly remember how I came across Green Thoughts. I've had it for so many years now. I vaguely recall picking it up at a library book sale, back when I first started gardening and was always on the lookout for gardening books at the sales. Being a writer, I thought I would enjoy it. I have an old hardcover edition not even listed on goodreads.

"Forward" - I wonder if gardeners are basically pessimist and loners. The author planting plants that will not come up due to a war. But I often have a similar feeling when I plant flowers and say to myself "It isn't going to grow or it will die". Perhaps it is to prevent that let down if it doesn't grow (oh well) and be joyous when it does grow?

"Annuals" - Another downbeat artical with (Valid :) criticism of planting annuals. I like annuals, they flower all summer long, lots of color, little care and tend to be pest resistant. Perennials require lots of deadheading and bugs love them.

But I do not go that much to the garden center. I do buy seeds and start indoors. She is correct for many people about the garden center. I do not own a green house (wish I did). But I try to time it right when the weather gets warm, my front covered porch has a small forest of pots. If it gets too cold, I put the cars outside and put the plants in the garage.

One trick that seems to work most of the time for annuals. After the first frost or two and as I pull up the plants, I rip the pods apart and spread the seeds on the ground. By late spring or early summer they tend to reseed without more planting.

But I understand people going to the garden center as soon as it gets warm outside and wanting that great looking yard now. So this is probably why the author prefers tall perennials.