Jake reviews Light Eaters: How the Unseen World of Plant Intelligence Offers a New Understanding of Life on Earth
Burn Book
Why review tech writer Kara Swisher's new book when I know so little about computers? And, I'll admit, care little for most of those filthy rich people whose names we all know? Well, it's more a "memoir with tech bros" (a better subtitle than hers, BTW) than it is a tech book, written by an opinionated…
Interesting Fruit Trees of Lawrence Public Library
This month Dan Coleman and I have put together a slightly different "Interesting Tree" blog than our previous arboricultural collaborations. Not because we've run out of interesting trees to go look at, but because the trees are coming to us! Yes, Lawrence Public Library will soon be home to our (your!) own orchard! And YOU…
Lighting Fires in a Burning World
"What the Indians here used to do, was, to burn out the brush every year in the woods, up the gorges keeping the oak and pine stands tall and clear..." - Gary Snyder, "Control Burn" (line breaks omitted), 1971. “The idea that we need to just let nature take its course really underestimates the management…
Nourishing Roots
Reader, I fear you've committed an agricultural act. Again. Probably just a few hours ago. As poet/farmer Wendell Berry famously pointed out, "eating is an agricultural act." Yet how many consider it so when they open the fridge or pull in the drive-thru? The ramifications are endless. Every time you eat, you contribute to soil…
Wild Times
Next to me sit two fat books, over 1,500 Pulitzer Prize-winning pages, on J. Robert Oppenheimer and the atomic bomb. Which with some effort I will now push aside, despite my interest in the matter. There are other issues of importance at hand. Two new titles on the theme of wilderness have held my attention…
Impossible!
Ten years ago I boldly reviewed a book called Reinventing Bach, despite the fact that I'm musically illiterate. Against some coworkers' advice, I've also posted a rather negative review of an up-and-coming author's book (which several people told me they appreciated), and even "reviewed" a book I hadn't read. Now I'm going to try to…
All the Beauty
One of the perks of working at the Ask Desk is how over time one gets to know a good chunk of Lawrence's library-going population. From artists and mechanics, to struggling folks proud to tell you about their new job, to kids and retirees new to town, it's a living version of the Pictures at…
Endless Forms Most Beautiful
Aaand there went another Groundhog Day. You know what that means: we're more than halfway through winter. Time to think about the birds and the bees. Literally. I think about the birds much of the time, but late last year I found myself suddenly intrigued by the bees and other bugs (thank you Ed Yong…
Deep Listening
Flying to Florida, looking out from a cramped window seat as we descended over the Gulf of Mexico, I did a double-take. Were it not for my seat belt I would have jumped up and down, for I clearly saw a sperm whale at the surface. I've wondered if my eyes were playing tricks ever…
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