BOOKS TO READ BY THE FIRE THIS WINTER
Suzi Freitas gives her recommendations for books to cozy up to this winter. For our readers, we’re also doing a special giveaway. Enter below by visiting our Facebook page or following us on Twitter to win a copy of The Drunken Botanist and cocoa powder from famed French luxury baker and sweets maker, Laduree. The perfect treat while reading a book this winter.*
1. Wicked Plants: The Weed That Killed Lincoln’s Mother and Other Botanical Atrocities, By Amy Stewart
Stewart takes on over two hundred of Mother Nature’s most appalling children in an A to Z description of plants that kill, maim, intoxicate, and otherwise offend. Scary botanical illustrations create a portrait of the evildoers that may be living in your own backyard. This collection of bloodcurdling botany will frighten, entertain and educate even the most courageous gardeners. This book would provide perfect fireside reading on a cold winter evening.
2. The Drunken Botanist, By Amy Stewart
Also by Amy Stewart (can’t get enough of her), The Drunken Botanist details the botanical history, science and chemistry of over 150 plants, flowers, trees and fruits. Many surprising and somewhat odd plants have been fermented or distilled, in fact every great drink starts with a plant. For example, Sake: rice, Scotch: barley, Gin: juniper. One of the most interesting sections regards the thirty-year court battle over Angostura bitters and its “secret” recipe, which technically may not even contain bark from the Angostura tree. The book includes over fifty drink recipes along with growing advice for gardeners, making it a great gift for gardeners/cocktail lovers or gardeners or cocktail lovers.
3. Mister Owita’s Guide to Gardening: How I Learned the Unexpected Joy of a Green Thumb and an Open Heart, By Carol Wall
The author’s neighbor, Mister Owita, helps her to transform her outlook on life following a series of personal misfortunes, and to allow herself to appreciate her lush backyard oasis. Through Owita’s extensive horticultural education, kindness and a variety of mutual interests, the pair becomes inseparable while they perform miracles on Wall’s property and her life.
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2. Like Us on Facebook or Follow us on Twitter. Each one is an entry to the giveaway*
*Giveaway Open to U.S. Residents Only, 18 Years Old and Over.
Giveaway Ends December 31, 2014.
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