Mabberley's Plant Book
|
Reading, writing and graphic design
|
My favorite new book of 2017 was Mabberley's Plant Book. It is more useful to my work, than lovable. But while some lovable books I can do without, I cannot do without Mabberley's Plant Book. At over 1,100 pages of tiny type (8-point), it is packed densely with plant geek data.
|
When certain magazine subscriptions are about to expire, there is a generous offer made by their publishers to give a free subscription or two if you renew. Therefore, I had the recent pleasure of giving some subscriptions to clients and friends. To me, Smithsonian magazine is well done, broad in topics, and worth reading. It contains as much or more photography as writing, which is a pity to some readers, but a solace to others. The exact same freebie also is offered by Consumer Reports.
|
I read daily the Wall Street Journal in much of November. Until then, I had ignored it, believing it was just a bunch of business news of no value to me. Well, to my pleasant surprise I discovered that it is far more than business news only. It is a superbly done, impressive publication, that makes Seattle newspapers look pathetic in comparison. It has humor, lengthy, insightful reviews of books, movies, and the like. It is edited intelligently, and its graphic design mature. Numerous publications, to appeal to young people or grown ups with ADHD, obsess with photos, gloss, playful typefaces, and gimmicks such as colored ink. These afford fleeting excitement to the eye, but are often annoying, can become exhausting, and sometimes the type is unnecessarily tiny. In contrast, a gentle, orderly pace and style of writing such as the Wall Street Journal (and this newsletter ) exemplify, is a simple joy that does not disturb. Certain previously esteemed publications, such as Parade magazine, are now mere ridiculous shadows of what they were in their glory years. Maybe the Wall Street Journal was even once better than it is now? New subscribers can get home delivery 6 days a week for about $4.40. The Seattle Times is some $3 weekly, for 7 days, and offers far less overall, but does supply a vital local focus. If you cherish sports and comics, the Seattle Times is necessary; if you prefer international and U.S.A. news, the Wall Street Journal is best.
|
Some people get writer's block. Not me. Ever with me, I keep paper and pen, so when I think of or learn something clever, noteworthy, or crucial to recall, it can be written. This can occur as I walk, work, nap, or eat. I simply write what is needed. Easy. A newsletter is usually prosaic, matter-of-fact, like a schoolkid describing what was done on summer vacation. At the other writing extreme is a passionate love letter, inspired by only he or she for whom the letter is written, love professed, tenderness expressed, joyfully and poetically. SINCE, dear reader, I am not in love with you but am a better writer than is the average schoolkid, my newsletter is somewhere in the middle. It's my hope, plan and intent that my edible houseplant book will also combine factual accuracy with a sprinkling of artful sentences, like a plain pasta dish elevaterd by a zesty sauce, on an impassive face enlivened by a warm smile. An experienced cook, in a few minutes, can create a delicious meal. Some writers are also able, in similar fashion, to pour forth consecutive paragraphs and chapters with languid ease, as if in a bewitched trance, blessed by the writing muses. Alas!, this sort of easy composition doesn't exist for most non-fiction writers. Facts that must be stated keep getting in the way of fun, juicy adjectives, and interrupting, like someone knocking at the door when you're making love.
|
(originally published in my January 2018 newsletter)
Back |
|
|
