Almost wordless: This was taken a few weeks ago. The color is lasting longer than usual this year with our mild autumn.
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More Wordless Wednesday. © 2015 Under My Apple Tree. All rights reserved.
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Welcome to Mailbox Monday, created by Marcia of To Be Continued, a place where readers share the books that came in their mailbox during the last week.
After several years of being on tour with different blogs as the monthly host, the Mailbox Monday Blog is now the permanent home for the meme.
Here’s what arrived last week . . .
New Arrivals
An Old-Fashioned Christmas by Ellen Stimson from TLC Tours.
With its trademark snow, piney forests, sleigh rides and woodsmoke curling out of village chimneys, New England was practically invented for the Christmas postcard. It’s most of the reason author Ellen Stimson made Vermont her home. Here she shares recipes that have been in her family for generations, mixes up a cocktail or two, and invites readers to make their own traditions.
Hillary Rodham Clinton Presidential Playset by Caitlin Kuhwald from Quirk Books.
This fold-out book features replicas of the Oval Office and other White House locations, plus perforated paper dolls of Hillary Clinton and all of her political pals and adversaries.
What She Knew by Gilly Macmillan from HarperCollins.
Rachel Jenner is walking in a Bristol park with her eight-year-old son, Ben, when he asks if he can run ahead. It’s an ordinary request on an ordinary Sunday afternoon, and Rachel has no reason to worry—until Ben vanishes.
The Invention of Science by David Wootton from Harper.
A groundbreaking examination of the greatest event in history, the Scientific Revolution, and how it came to change the way we understand ourselves and our world.
How was your week?
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© 2015 Under My Apple Tree. All rights reserved.
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Butterflies
Ron Orenstein (Author)
Thomas Marent (Photographer)
Genre: Science/Nature/Photography
Publisher: Firefly Books| September 2015
Format: Hardcover | 288 pages
Rating: 5 of 5
From the Publisher
Here are some of the most colorful, spectacular and sometimes weird examples of the world’s butterflies and moths. From the common swallowtail to the iridescent blue morpho, Thomas Marent’s stunning photographs provide a close-up view of the remarkable family of insects known as Lepidoptera. The macro photography complements the enlightening text written by zoologist Ronald Orenstein, who explains the scientific curiosities of these amazing insects.
My Thoughts
This coffee table style book is a gorgeous volume filled with beautiful full-color photography and text. While primarily aimed at those with an interest in nature and science, this is also a resource that can be enjoyed by anyone, from nature expert to novice.
The book begins with a general introduction to butterflies as a species, with further chapters going into more detail on individual butterfly families and their life cycles. Covered are topics such as life history; wing shape, color, and patterns; what butterflies eat; butterfly environments; and effects of climate change to name a few.
The text is informative and interesting, but what really shines are the accompanying photos on each page. The text is white on black glossy paper, enhancing the presentation of the photos. This is as much a photography book as a text on butterflies.
I am familiar with only the common butterflies such as Swallowtails, Monarchs, and Skippers, and found the wealth of detail presented fascinating. The format used makes it easy to absorb new information. Many of us are visual learners; I know I am. Seeing the photo along with the text reinforces the information I have just read.
Butterfiles is a treasure trove of information and a handy reference guide to be consulted again and again.
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Source: Review copy provided by AmazonVine.
© 2015 Under My Apple Tree. All rights reserved.
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Almost wordless: Nothing special about Goldenrod, it’s everywhere. I noticed this plant because I liked the way the morning sun was highlighting the seeds. Autumn light is my favorite for outdoor photography.
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More Wordless Wednesday. © 2015 Under My Apple Tree. All rights reserved.
Advertisements appearing on this site are placed by WordPress and are not endorsed or approved by me.
Welcome to Mailbox Monday, created by Marcia of To Be Continued, a place where readers share the books that came in their mailbox during the last week.
After several years of being on tour with different blogs as the monthly host, the Mailbox Monday Blog is now the permanent home for the meme.
Nothing new in the physical mailbox last week. That’s ok as I have more than enough books that I want to get to soon. Plus, I’ve stopped accepting all but the most tempting new books for the next few months; at least until I get a little caught up. I couldn’t resist requesting an eGalley of The Genius of Birds, my only new title last week.
New Arrivals
The Genius of Birds
by Jennifer Ackerman
from NetGalley.
This elegant scientific investigation and travelogue weaves personal anecdotes with fascinating science. Ackerman delivers an extraordinary story that will both give readers a new appreciation for the exceptional talents of birds and let them discover what birds can reveal about our changing world. Incredibly informative and beautifully written, The Genius of Birds richly celebrates the triumphs of these surprising and fiercely intelligent creatures.
How was your week?
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© 2015 Under My Apple Tree. All rights reserved.
Advertisements appearing on this site are placed by WordPress and are not endorsed or approved by me.
Almost wordless: The colors have been beautiful this year. I’m sad to see them go.
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More Wordless Wednesday. © 2015 Under My Apple Tree. All rights reserved.
Advertisements appearing on this site are placed by WordPress and are not endorsed or approved by me.
A Rapid Review
Books for Young Readers
The Thing About Jellyfish by Ali Benjamin
Publisher: Little, Brown | September 2015
Format: Hardcover | 352 pages | Rating: 5 stars
After her best friend dies in a drowning accident, Suzy is convinced that the true cause of the tragedy was a rare jellyfish sting. Retreating into a silent world of imagination, she crafts a plan to prove her theory–even if it means traveling the globe, alone.
When 12-year-old Suzy’s best and only real friend Franny dies, she becomes obsessed with proving the reason for her death was from a jellyfish sting.
This is a very thoughtful story that touches on the many emotions Suzy is feeling. Told in the first person, I could easily relate to her love of science and how she didn’t quite fit in with the “cool kids”. The story alternates between Suzy’s thoughts about her friend and how their friendship had changed in the past year, and her science project on jellyfish, where she sets out to prove a sting could be fatal.
The story can be a little dark and heartbreaking at times, but also hopeful as Suzy works her way through her grief for Franny and her sadness over both Franny’s death and their disintegrating friendship in the months before.
Beautifully written and wonderful characters — I loved this book.
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Source: Review copy provided by Little, Brown.
© 2015 Under My Apple Tree. All rights reserved.
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