As I said last week, Amy Stewart is on a book tour for her new book, Flower Confidential: The Good, The Bad and The Beautiful in the Business of Flowers. Steve and I attended the reading, and though Amy had started the day with a flight that took off somewhere around (and by around, I really mean before) the crack of dawn, and had spent her day juggling television and radio interview crews, she had time to hang out post-reading.
It’s always a pleasure to meet fellow bloggers, and I’m such a big fan of Amy’s work, so it was fun to hang out and get to know her better.
Amy read snippets from her book, but spent even more time talking about her research process as she delved into the flower industry. She illustrated her examples with flowers she’d picked up at a local florist in Iowa City, from carnations to gerberas to Stargazer lilies.
I walked away from the reading determined to do a better job of approaching flowers the same way I approach food. I’m always curious about where the food comes from, and even if I don’t always buy local or don’t always buy organic, I’ve gotten in the habit of just simply paying attention. But flowers…I haven’t paid as close attention to cut flowers as I have to my food. I’ve just started reading Flower Confidential, but I’m looking forward to the better consumer that I’ll be by the end of the book, and to putting my new-found knowledge to good use.
If you’re interested in hearing Amy speak, check out her full book tour schedule. I encourage you to attend an event!
on Feb 10th, 2007 at 2:24 pm
Maybe I would be more appreciative of my flowers if I read her book. When we bought this house we inherited the flower gardens…lots and lots of flowers. I could use some inspiration!
on Feb 10th, 2007 at 3:57 pm
It is amazing what fresh flowers can do for the soul. We just started having a fresh bouquet in the house and love it. We did it years ago but let the habit slack. We like it so much we are going to have one here at the garden center by the counter. I am going to go out and buy Amy’s book right away!
on Feb 11th, 2007 at 6:11 am
I bought Amy’s book but haven’t read it yet, I’ve got a few other books ahead of hers. Unfortunately, she doesn’t have a book tour stop near Indianapolis…
on Feb 11th, 2007 at 9:45 am
Thanks for the tip. Looks like it would be a book that I’d like. I’m always so darn curious about ALL the facts around a subject. Too curious sometimes, it takes time…
on Feb 11th, 2007 at 11:45 pm
Katie, I think you’d find it interesting. Amy’s done a ton of research, and I’ve been learning a lot just from listening to her and reading excerpts. Next stop…the actual book!
Trey, I think flowers by the counter at the center is a fabulous idea! I’ve gotten out of the habit of having flowers in the house, too…should start that up again.
Carol, try her appearance on the Diane Rehm Show — you can get to it from Amy’s blog. It’s a good hour of conversation, and covers much of what she covers in her talks.
Mrs. Lifecruiser, I definitely recommend the book. Curiosity is a good thing!