Lab Girl by Hope Jahren

As Heard on The Daily Gardener Podcast:

Copy of Grow That #Garden Library (3)

Lab Girl by Hope Jahren
Lab Girl is the story of Hope Jaren, who is an award-winning scientist. Hope has been studying paleobiology since 1996. In this book, Hope writes about trees and plants and soil in scientific yet passionate prose. (Hope's mom has a degree in English literature, and her influence made Hope a voracious reader.) Hope writes:
“Science has taught me that everything is more complicated than we first assume and that being able to derive happiness from discovery is a recipe for a beautiful life.”
Hope’s book is part-memoir and part-commentary on the natural world. Personally, Hope has worked tirelessly to find funding for her research. Professionally, Hope has worked up close and personal with plants - both the living and the fossilized - learning their secrets and remaining curious about their mysteries.
What I loved about Hope's book are the little asides that she makes while she's trying to make a point. She may reference popular culture icons, or a TV show, or a video game; while at the same time, explain how plants dominate our world.
And I love what Hope wrote after losing a beloved childhood tree. She said
“Each beginning is the end of a waiting. We are each given exactly one chance to be. Each of us is both impossible and inevitable. Every replete tree was first a seed that waited.”
This book came out in 2017. You can get a used copy of Lab Girl by Hope Jahren and support the show, using the Amazon Link in today's Show Notes for under $3.
 

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