Even in the age of electronics, computers, Kindles, I-Phones and the like, there is still a special place in my heart, for hold in your hand printed, paper books. Am I just a tad nostalgic? Perhaps. There are a number of reasons why, I feel, that bound books are better than the electronic versions.

1) No batteries. Imagine you are on a boat with your spouse, out in the middle of a lake. Just a relaxing day, enjoying the breeze and the sun, reading a great book. You are getting ready to find out who it was that killed the gardener when, suddenly, the screen goes blank! Your battery is dead. There are not too many stores in the middle of a lake that sells batteries.

2) Glare of the screen. Yes, I know there are anti-glare coverings and settings to help this. However, if you forget them and you are out on the beach, you are in trouble.

3) The feel of a book. There is something to be said about the feel of a well-made book. The cover, the pages, and of course the smell of paper.

Back to reality

Okay, so maybe I am a tad strange there, but you get the gist. Some reports even show that electronics are actually bad to be around all the time. Do you notice how being outdoors or camping can give you more energy and make you feel rejuvenated? That’s because there are no positive ions, which are emitted by the vast amounts of technology surrounding us; like our cellphones, laptops, Kindles, and televisions. With all of that being said, and the holidays fast approaching, I wanted to share with you MY list of some of my favorite books that would make any gardener on your list extremely happy.

As many other gardeners are, I don’t necessarily stick to just one subject when it comes to the books I like. Yes, I have many in the Citrus and other fruits section, but I do enjoy other topics. So this list may seem all over the board to some, others will find one or two worthwhile and not really care about the others. These books can all be found on Amazon as well as other places that sell used books online. I have included ISBN numbers to make your search a little easier.

Citrus Varieties of the World: by James Saunt – (ISBN-10: 1872960006)

This is a hardcover book, written July 1990. It is 128 pages, with some very nice pictures of different citrus fruit, many of which you have probably not heard of. There is up-to-date information (for the time period) about tree characteristics, as well as the fruit. It covers the origin and production of most varieties of oranges, mandarin/satsumas, grapefruit; as well as lemons, limes, citrons, kumquats and hybrids. Although, it does not contain very much information on the actual growing of citrus trees, I find this book interesting for the many different varieties listed as well as the origins of where much of the citrus comes from.

Azaleas: by Fred C. Galle – (ISBN-10: 0881920126)

Here is another book from way back in time, written in 1987, to be exact.

It is 486 pages, covering over 6000 cultivars of azaleas as well as the many species. Again, it is somewhat dated, especially some of the pesticides being recommended, but it covers everything from Bonsai to landscape uses, as well as hybridizing and plants that make good companions. Considering the time that this was written, it is still the definitive book on this subject.