Reading List for 2009-2010

Here's the list for the coming year:

October 14, 2009
The Omnivore’s Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals by Michael Pollan
A well- written, eye-opening plea to stop and think about what we eat and the natural world that feeds us.

November 11, 2009
The Wild Trees by Richard Preston
A fast-paced account of the eccentric, dedicated scientists who study the redwood forest canopy.

December 9,2009
$64 Tomato by William Alexander
This hilarious book describes the author’s attempt at organic gardening that sets him at odds with nature.

January 13, 2010
Desert Solitaire by Edward Abbey
With humor and loving descriptions, Abbey chronicles his stint as a seasonal ranger in Arches National Park.

February 10, 2010
Teaching the Trees: Lessons from the Forest by Joan Maloof
An engaging collection of meditations on individual trees that blends scientific lore and acute personal observation.

March 10, 2010
John James Audubon: the Making of an American by Richard Rhodes
Rhodes breathes life into Audubon the man, artist, and scientist and creates a vivid portrait of America of his times.

April 14, 2010
Great Chain of Life by Joseph Wood Krutch
Krutch's firsthand observations of nature mixed with insightful musings make fascinating and enlightening reading.

May 12, 2010
Epitaph for a Peach by David Masumoto
Slow farming reveals the art of living for Masumoto who produces juicy heirloom peaches you can almost taste.

June 9, 2010
My First Summer in the Sierra by John Muir
In 1869, John Muir found the love of his life – Yosemite Valley. His account is a classic of environmental literature.


Meetings are the second Weds. of the month 6:30 to 8 pm, Warren H. Corning Library
Free, no registration required.
For Details call the Library at 440.602.3825

Nature's Narratives Book Group

Funny how a new interest will turn up in many places you never noticed before. So it is with nature and environment oriented book clubs. Here's one I just found: Nature's Narrative's is a book discussion group sponsored by the Scott Arboretum of Swarthmore College. Here's a link to their reading list for 2008-2009:

http://www.scottarboretum.org/special/naturesnarratives.html

Any more out there? Please let us know.

In Search of Tree Books

As librarian of a "tree" place, it seems logical to get some tree reading done. This past month I've read Joan Maloof's Teaching the Trees: Lessons from the Forest. She writes short essays on different tree species linked to her experiences as an ecology instructor, tree lover, and forest preserver. Tree: A Life Story by leading naturalist David Suzuki is a readable, informative biography of a Douglas fir tree. Finally, there's Richard Preston's The Wild Trees. Preston's book is a fast, engaging account of the eccentric, dedicated scientists who study the unique hidden world in the canopy of redwood forests.

Any other titles to recommend? Please post your suggestions on this blog.

Sibley's Book of Trees -- Author Appearance

It's not often that a book about trees gets national publicity and an author tour. In this case, well-known Bird expert David Sibley has turned his attention to trees. His newest book is Sibley's Guide to Trees (what a coincidence!) He will be at Joseph-Beth Bookstore in Lyndhurst Ohio's upscale Legacy Village from 7 to 9 PM on Thursday, September 17. For more information, and a book review click this link:
http://www.josephbeth.com/Default.aspx?tabindex=2&tabid=3&storeId=3

For information about Sibley and other appearances click here:
http://www.sibleyguides.com/


(Editorial comment: Support your local bookstore, especially the independents.)