Review 484: The Orchid Thief

The Orchid Thief by Susan Orlean
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The book mostly followed a quirky character John Laroche who was arrested and charged with stealing rare orchids from the Florida swamp of Fakahatchee Strand State Preserve.

The book also has many details that are fillers and don't add anything to the overall story other than odd details. The book felt like it lost it's thread about mid-way or so, but did pull it back together for the closing.

I did learn there is a big trade in stolen rare plants, orchids in particular. Apparently some people go crazy for these plants.

Review 256: Lessons from Plants

Lessons from Plants by Beronda L Montgomery
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A highly informative and readable book that is scientific without becoming overly difficult. It is a good book for an entry into learning about how plants work, cooperatively and individually. The author also compares this to human systems, to ourselves, which was a fascinating way to learn the concepts.

While I listened to the audiobook, I did not have a problem with the narrator as other reviews mentioned. But I would suggest reading the print or eBook copy as well. My library bought copies of this book and there are nice line drawings with a quote between chapters.

If you want to learn more about how plants work, this would be a good book to help in that endeavor.

Review 248: Wicked Plants

Wicked Plants: The Weed That Killed Lincoln's Mother and Other Botanical Atrocities by Amy Stewart
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Briony Morrow-Cribbs (Etchings)

Jonathon Rosen (Drawings)

This book is a good October read, and not only for the mention of the witch trials. Crazy illustrations, although not enough details of the plants.

Not a typical format where you must read from beginning to end (but I did). Instead it is a reference guide, a to z listing of some interesting and dangerous plants. It was interesting enough, and not super long. Got a bit repetitive at times. Occasionally had a short story of how the plant related in history, those were the interesting parts.

Crazy drawings through most of the book. 

Definitely one that is a better read in print than audio as you'd miss all the graphics. It did get a bit repetitive after a while.